[1.3 Floating Village of Chong Kneas] - Sotong
"Green apples? anyone wants green apples?"

1450hrs: We left the old market to head south toward Tonle Sap Lake, which was about a 25mins drive. We travelled through some old and dusty road which were pretty badly maintained. We had a lot of fun along the way as you can see from the picture below.

Passed by Phnom Krom where we finally saw a decent looking building which was a temple, everything else were like make-shift huts and slumps. You see kids running around bare-footed, living conditions were really appalling. Road was dusty, and water had to be pumped from a well, houses has no doors, and some don't even have walls!!!



















We finally reach a part of the village whereby you see a sudden influx of buses and vans, which is where we alighted to board one of those little motor boats. This marks the start of our journey in search of the floating village. "Green apples? anyone wants green apples?"



















The floating village is where people stays in boat-houses. The whole community consists of boats, including religious, educational, entertainment, shopping... boats. Fishing is their main mode of living, and the village moves depending on the season.



















At this stage most of the boats were just lined along or near the banks..... but at one stage, our boat brought us out to what seems like the ocean where you can see nothing but the horizon. But of course, we are still in the Tonle Sap Lake!!! "Green apples? anyone wants green apples?"










Okay okay... so what's with the green apples thingie? I think only those who went will understand..... oops... let the cat out of the bag..... "No more green apples liow!!! *munch*"

Talk about necessity is the mother of all invention..... they have now invented the floating souvenir shop!!!!! Lots of souvenirs, food, drinks on board..... even with a viewing gallery at the top of the boat.

























Here's a view of the fishing village from the viewing gallery, with all the boats lined up at the side.

A view of the village from the top of the souvenir 'boat', and a snapshot of the 'pets' they keep on board the boat. Scary eh? Anyway, more views on the journey back: A 'Water Traffic Police Office' and the looooong boat is supposedly able to take 100 passengers, all the way to Phnom Penh.