Floating Villages of Chong Khneas @ Tonle Sap
Thursday, June 26, 2008
After check in to hotel, we proceed to visit Tonle Sap, the "Great Lake' of Cambodia located 10kms south of Siem Reap and the largest in Asia.
The amazing lake and river system of the Tonle Sap is quite unique. This vast lake; the largest in SE Asia, fills with the waters of the Mekong each year, bringing vast numbers of fish and irrigation during the dry season.
The Mekong starts its journey in the Himalayas, flowing through China, Laos and Cambodia before discharging into the sea at its delta in South Vietnam. The Mekong Delta cannot absorb all the river water; so in May, the river reverses its normal seaward flow and begins for flow back up the Tonle Sap River.
The 160km long lake fills with water and, expands to 250kms long by up to 100kms wide over a period of 3 months. The lake rises and progressively floods the surrounding forests and rice fields.
The people who live in simple shacks along the Causeways and rivers; move up towards the shore. As the water retreats, and the rainy season approaches; the floating villages move inland to take shelter along the river banks.
On the way, you will see plenty of examples of the Khmer way of life.
Large empty land for rice farming which will be flooded during raining season.
Their people build house along the road leading to Tonle Sap.
The house are small and in very poor conditions without water and electricity supply.
We took the traditional wooden boat ride along the river which lead us to the Tonle Sap lake. You will see floating church. Most of the people at this floating village are Vietnamese immigrants.
Floating Homes
Floating Restarant
The Floating Boat Homes. They live such poor conditions.
This is Tonle Sap Lake which look like a big ocean. The size is much bigger than Singapore Island.
The amazing lake and river system of the Tonle Sap is quite unique. This vast lake; the largest in SE Asia, fills with the waters of the Mekong each year, bringing vast numbers of fish and irrigation during the dry season.
The Mekong starts its journey in the Himalayas, flowing through China, Laos and Cambodia before discharging into the sea at its delta in South Vietnam. The Mekong Delta cannot absorb all the river water; so in May, the river reverses its normal seaward flow and begins for flow back up the Tonle Sap River.
The 160km long lake fills with water and, expands to 250kms long by up to 100kms wide over a period of 3 months. The lake rises and progressively floods the surrounding forests and rice fields.
The people who live in simple shacks along the Causeways and rivers; move up towards the shore. As the water retreats, and the rainy season approaches; the floating villages move inland to take shelter along the river banks.
On the way, you will see plenty of examples of the Khmer way of life.
Large empty land for rice farming which will be flooded during raining season.
Their people build house along the road leading to Tonle Sap.
The house are small and in very poor conditions without water and electricity supply.
We took the traditional wooden boat ride along the river which lead us to the Tonle Sap lake. You will see floating church. Most of the people at this floating village are Vietnamese immigrants.
Floating Homes
Floating Restarant
The Floating Boat Homes. They live such poor conditions.
This is Tonle Sap Lake which look like a big ocean. The size is much bigger than Singapore Island.
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