Cambodia: Now and Then

Today was another full agenda which began with a closeup look at a unique segment of Cambodia's people and ended with a glimpse back 1,000 years.  After breakfast we drove to the Tonle Sap Lake of Mechrey floating village.  Our boat took us to this smallest floating village in Cambodia numbering about 1500 people. The number of Cambodians living in floating villages today is about 1 million.The foundation of the houses are made from bamboo which can last up to 10 years. The villagers must move 2-3 times a year as the river rises and falls during the rainy and dry seasons . Many villagers come on land only to sell their fish. Here are some photos of the floating village.

 A house

                          A floating school that follows the village. Students come to school in boats.

Soeng (our guide), Clarence, Vivi and Roger check out the crocodiles in the floating crocodile farm.

The optional tour this afternoon took us to the Banteay Sri Temple, a Hindu temple built in 967 A.D.  Its name means "Citadel of women" and is said to have been built to celebrate the beauty of women. Its construction of pink sandstone is striking and, with the exquisitely detailed carvings, it is a "must see" site.