Tonle Sap

The Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. During the dry season, the lake reduces in size due to evaporation. During the rainy season, the lake reaches its highest levels. These photos were taken at the beginning of the dry season (End of November 2004). After being templed out from the Angokr temples, I decided to go out to the Tonle Sap which is about a twenty minute ride from Siem Reap. It was nice and hot out the day I took these photos and the breeze coming from the lake was quite nice.


 

This is the view from the boat as we pushed away from shore. There isn't any official boat dock. You just walk over the decks of the other boats until you get to the one you hired for the afternoon. I'm glad that I at least had my sea legs and didn't get soaked.


 

Most of the residents of the floating village on the Tonle Sap are Vietnamese. Here is a woman with a boat full of wares to sell. I don't exactly know how I would have ordered a coke, but it was certainly possible.


 

Outboard motor? Not a chance. 100% people powered here and with the wake from the speed boats, none too easy.


 

One of my favorite photos from the trip. Just two women out on the boat.


 

When the lake starts to dry out, the homes of the floating village are just moved further into the lake.


 

Being that it was the middle of the day, most people were actually heading home and resting from the heat of the day or emptying their nets from fishing.


 


 


 

Yes, that is a styrofoam cooler.