Our next destination - Battambang. And what better way to do it than a river cruise down the Tonlé Sap - a spectacular 6 hour meander. It is probably the most amazing boat journey that I have ever made! In addition to the beautiful river views, we were surrounded by enchanting examples of Cambodian river life. Below are just a tiny example. Most people live in floating villages and got around by boat. My favourite houses were those on stilts to take account of the changing water levels between rainy and dry season (we saw some abandoned ones too!)
The river was being used for all kinds of reasons. Locals would have their own boats instead of cars, and would use them to get from A to B and to transfer goods. Some people were "dropped off" onto our big boat by their families - little row boats drawing along side us, and locals coming on board to join the journey.
The trip was incredibly relaxing, and the sun was out with full intensity - the breeze of the boat moving along just kept us cool! It was nice just to chill out, sit in the sun on the top deck, or to take photos of the endlessly pleasing images around us. If you ever go to Cambodia, this is a MUST! It has earned it's reputation as possibly the most satisfying boat trip in the world!
As you can see from the pictures, the weather, the crystal waters and the lush greenery was just amazing. I say it was relaxing... but further in the day it got positively exciting! If you have ever seen the film "African Queen" you will know what I mean - we went through some of the narrowest greenery - branches where coming in through the windows and brushing people, and creepy crawlies were dropping into the boat! People were ducking and moving to the middle of the boat to avoid injury! The kid who was helping the driver had to help him to navigate from the front, and use a stick against the banks to make sure we kept on course!
We spent the afternoon in Battambang wandering around and eating and drinking and playing Cribbage... we must be growing old!! The nice French architecture gave the river-front an nice ambience.
The river was being used for all kinds of reasons. Locals would have their own boats instead of cars, and would use them to get from A to B and to transfer goods. Some people were "dropped off" onto our big boat by their families - little row boats drawing along side us, and locals coming on board to join the journey.
As you can see from the pictures, the weather, the crystal waters and the lush greenery was just amazing. I say it was relaxing... but further in the day it got positively exciting! If you have ever seen the film "African Queen" you will know what I mean - we went through some of the narrowest greenery - branches where coming in through the windows and brushing people, and creepy crawlies were dropping into the boat! People were ducking and moving to the middle of the boat to avoid injury! The kid who was helping the driver had to help him to navigate from the front, and use a stick against the banks to make sure we kept on course!
We spent the afternoon in Battambang wandering around and eating and drinking and playing Cribbage... we must be growing old!! The nice French architecture gave the river-front an nice ambience.
