By: Kathryn Rose
Working for a hotel and tour company sure has some great perks. I have gotten to do some pretty amazing things in the short time I have been here, and many thanks to Brandon and Andrea for making most of them happen. One of my most favorite days in Cambodia so far has been our kayaking adventure on the Tonle Sap.
The day started with a 40 min drive out to the Tonle Sap, through many small villages and scenic countrysides. Children are playing in the river, cows are grazing and rice is being harvested just outside of our car window.
Callie focused on her sunflower seeds
Once we got to the boat launch we all loaded into a big motorized boat that could have fit about 20 people, so the 6 of us had plenty of space to move around. Callie and Couper were loving sitting on the open front and spitting sunflower seeds over the edge. The 30 min ride out to the stilted village is another picturesque journey of fisherman, flowers and boats. When we finaly arrived stilted village it was like entering a whole new world. I don’t really know what I was expecting, but what we boated through was not it. Clearly, they have a different way of life than most people, but they make it as normal as possible. There are potted plants on balconies, houses are painted in vibrant colors, children are playing and there are even floating pig pens in the front “yard”. Being able to watch these villagers go about their daily life on the water was eye opening.
A typical stilted house
Transportation in the village
We eventually pulled up to the house where the Journeys Within kayaks are kept and we climbed up their steep ladder to have lunch before the kayaking began. While the family cooked us lunch, we happily observed the locals going about their business. This trip was in December, so rainy season was over and the waters had started to recede. Some of the houses now had their back entrance on dry or muddy land, and the children were running up and down the road having fun. Callie joined in, and of course found some adorable (but most likely filthy) puppies to play with, while Couper went in search of a snack and cold drink. Lunch was eventually served on the back balcony, and it was delicious.
One part of the village is still very muddy
The other direction down the road is already dry
After eating we made our way back down the steep ladder and into our kayaks. Erin and I started off together in one kayak, but we quickly learned we made a horrible paddling team. After a quick in-water boat swap, it was back to paddling, this time with Brandon. We made our way through the flooded forest, with only a few minor spider scares. The forest is full of fishing nets, all marked with a floating plastic water bottle. Recycling at its finest. After only about 10 minutes of paddling we had made it out of the flooded forest and into the wide open Tonle Sap. This is the largest lake in SE Asia, but the size goes up and down dramatically with the rainy seasons. The water in the village was filled with garbage and who knows what else, but by the time we got through the forest and into the open water, it was beautiful and clean. Most of us even jumped in for a quick swim! I was so proud of my swim lesson students for going in the lake! After about 15 minutes of swimming it was back through the forest and village. We parked our kayaks at the house and loaded back into the motorized boat. The ride back to the car was much quieter now that the kids were worn out, but still just as beautiful.
In the flooded forest
Callie prepping for a big jump in the Tonle Sap
When we arrived back in the city, I was also introduced to what is now my favorite street food: banana pancakes. And it is not even close to being a big starchy pancake from IHOP. So delicious, so unhealthy, and so worth its 1500 riel price. But you are just going to have to come to Cambodia to try one of those for yourself.
If you are interested in going on this all day kayaking adventure during your trip to Siem Reap, contact Journeys Within Tour Company. cambodia@journeys-within.com
