Tonle Sap

 Our Siem Reap home-stay owners organized a sunset boat trip for ourselves and the other families staying at the bungalows. We arrived at an inlet along the Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia, and part of the Mekong river system. Near the boat dock, along the bank was a fishing village of stilt houses, and as we headed towards the open lake we passed numerous floating homes.

These floating houses move to anchorages on the lake when the dry season water level drops and will return to the shelter of the river during monsoon season.

A common sight along rivers in southeast Asia are the long-tail boats with their distinct extended shaft propellers which operate very well in shallow and open water. These direct drive outboards are invariably repurposed automotive or tractor engines, both inexpensive and easy to maintain.

No afternoon on the water would be complete without swimming, refreshments and a glorious sunset!