Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake 2

Some more pictures from Tonle Sap.

Just looking at how simply the community here lives, makes one wonders whether all the trappings of modernity are necessary. Does it make us more or less happy ? And how long will it all last ?

The simple life here also can't escape globalization. The advent of tourism brings with it the desire for change and pressure on the delicate ecosystem. The question of sustainability.

It's not easy being a traveller these days !
































This is a school.

Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake 1

Besides Angkor, the other attraction in Siem Reap is Tonle Sap Lake. It is the largest fresh water body in South East Asia. But what's interesting is not the lake, but the community which lives in it.

The water level changes substantially between the dry or wet season. The houses here are either built on very high stilts, or they are actually floating boat houses. Most of the community live on boat houses - even the schools, hospitals and churches are virtually boats.

Once you arrive at Tonle Sap, you will be transferred to one of the hundreds of boats which will take you around the floating villages. There are even floating restaurants and shops which cater to the tourists.

One of the interesting features is that many of the boathouses have fish cages underneath. How convenient ! But it also put me off eating fish for the rest of my trip, if you know what I mean !