Floating village

Yesterday we took a tour of Kampong Phluk, a floating village on a river near Siem Reap. However because it is dry season the village is mostly not floating, instead is dry land with buildings on incredibly high stilts. The wet season starts in June and then the water from the river rises so high the whole area becomes sunk in about 2m of water.

We had a tour from a guy who grew up there, but now lives in the city. It used to be a place thriving with fish and that is what made people live there, but now it is overpopulated and they have eaten all the fish, so it is far less prosperous. And I find myself wondering why they would still live somewhere so difficult.

It was a smelly place, they were drying tiny shrimps in the sun. The market was a bike that rides around with fruit and veg hanging off it everywhere, in the wet season it becomes a boat instead.

We were taken on a small boat to a floating restaurant and watched sunset there.

It was an interesting day, but porbably would be more charming in the wet season when the village is afloat!Read more