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Siem Reap, Cambodia- day 7
Started the day with a 4:30 wake up call to make my early morning flight to Siem Reap. I had made arrangements from Phnom Penh for a driver for both days in Siem Reap, so after checking into my hotel, we headed out in a tuk tuk to the flooded forest and floating village of Kompong Phhluk on the Tonlé Sap Lake.
At least, we started out in a tuk tuk. It turns out the road to the village where you catch the boat to Kompong Phhluk isn't passable by tuk tuk, which is how I ended up on the back of a dirtbike (sans helmet, which I left in Phnom Penh). Alas, it turns out parts of the road were also not always passable by dirtbike, which is how I ended up on foot for part of the trip.
From there I hopped aboard a 'fast boat' for the noisy trip through some narrow waterways to the floating village.
It was amazing to see how many very small children were piloting their own boats.
The drive through window at a restaurant.
Docked the boat for a little while to explore some of the village. Here, kids are just getting ready to get out of school for the day.
(Kids in Cambodia don't wear diapers)
These kids are building a boat
On the way back, kids were on their way home from school. All children who go to school in Cambodia have to wear a uniform (the rationale being that no one can distinguish between the rich and the poor). Most children in rural villages ride several kilometers to school on a bike each way. It's not uncommon to see multiple kids sharing a bike.
However, when many families only earn $1 or $2 a day, the cost of uniforms and bicycles are prohibitive to sending their children to school. Often, children need to help the family earn money, which can also keep them from attending school.
The Tonlé Sap (Cambodian meaning "Large Fresh Water River," but more commonly translated as "Great Lake") is a combined lake and river system of huge importance to Cambodia. It is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia and is an ecological hot spot.
The Tonlé Sap is unusual for two reasons: 1) its flow changes direction twice a year, and 2) the portion that forms the lake expands and shrinks dramatically with the seasons. From November to May, Cambodia's dry season, the Tonlé Sap drains into the Mekong River at Phnom Penh. However, when the year's heavy rains begin in June, the Tonlé Sap backs up to form an enormous lake.
For most of the year the lake is fairly small, around one meter deep and with an area of 2,700 square km. During the monsoon season, however, the Tonlé Sap river which connects the lake with the Mekong river reverses its flow. Water is pushed up from the Mekong into the lake, increasing its area to 16,000 square km and its depth to up to nine meters, flooding nearby fields and forests. The people that live on the lake have to move their homes twice a year in response to the rising and falling of the water.At least, we started out in a tuk tuk. It turns out the road to the village where you catch the boat to Kompong Phhluk isn't passable by tuk tuk, which is how I ended up on the back of a dirtbike (sans helmet, which I left in Phnom Penh). Alas, it turns out parts of the road were also not always passable by dirtbike, which is how I ended up on foot for part of the trip.From there I hopped aboard a 'fast boat' for the noisy trip through some narrow waterways to the floating village.It was amazing to see how many very small children were piloting their own boats. The drive through window at a restaurant.Docked the boat for a little while to explore some of the village. Here, kids are just getting ready to get out of school for the day. (Kids in Cambodia don't wear diapers)These kids are building a boatOn the way back, kids were on their way home from school. All children who go to school in Cambodia have to wear a uniform (the rationale being that no one can distinguish between the rich and the poor). Most children in rural villages ride several kilometers to school on a bike each way. It's not uncommon to see multiple kids sharing a bike. However, when many families only earn $1 or $2 a day, the cost of uniforms and bicycles are prohibitive to sending their children to school. Often, children need to help the family earn money, which can also keep them from attending school.What you can do to help:
• If you are visiting Siem Reap, consider staying at the Shinta Mani, or it's sister hotel, the Hotel de la Paix. Both hotels promote responsible tourism, and support the local community. The Shinta Mani runs the Institute of Hospitality, a program that gives local youth free training in the hospitality industry- a valuable skill to have in an area where tourism is the number one contributor to the local economy. Customised community-based activities such as rice sponsorship, educational support, water well donations, school uniforms and supplies and other one-off contributions and long-term sponsorships may also be facilitated.
• Support the Lake Clinic, a floating clinic that offers free dental and medical services, as well as health education, to families living on the Tonle Sap Lake. Many families use the same water outside of their doors as a toilet, to bathe in, and to wash their dishes and clothing. They simply don't know any better. If you have training as a doctor, nurse, dentist or dental assistant, consider spending time as a volunteer for the Lake Clinic. You can also support them financially by:
Check, payable to "TLC at Human Translation".
please mail to:
Human Translation, Inc
1241 Adams Street, Suite 1096
Saint Helena, CA 94574
• If you are visiting Siem Reap, consider staying at the Shinta Mani, or it's sister hotel, the Hotel de la Paix. Both hotels promote responsible tourism, and support the local community. The Shinta Mani runs the Institute of Hospitality, a program that gives local youth free training in the hospitality industry- a valuable skill to have in an area where tourism is the number one contributor to the local economy. Customised community-based activities such as rice sponsorship, educational support, water well donations, school uniforms and supplies and other one-off contributions and long-term sponsorships may also be facilitated.
• Support the Lake Clinic, a floating clinic that offers free dental and medical services, as well as health education, to families living on the Tonle Sap Lake. Many families use the same water outside of their doors as a toilet, to bathe in, and to wash their dishes and clothing. They simply don't know any better. If you have training as a doctor, nurse, dentist or dental assistant, consider spending time as a volunteer for the Lake Clinic. You can also support them financially by:
Check, payable to "TLC at Human Translation".
please mail to:
Human Translation, Inc
1241 Adams Street, Suite 1096
Saint Helena, CA 94574
Credit Card, via Facebook Causes
{December 30, 2008 3:29 PM} simone said: i love this series. this is pure life. the drive through is hit.
{January 5, 2009 3:36 PM} Joanne Bartone Photographer said: Beautiful imagery; beautiful life. I am following and reading and loving every minute of your trip! When is the exhibit? When is the talk? You must enlighten people with your art and your words... BIG love, Joanne Bartone Photographer