Cha
Octiva
Cambodia
isn’t just about temples. Cambodia is known for its majestic lotus-inspired
temples, traditional Khmer Art, and historical sites. In Siem Reap alone, almost
300 ancient ruins were built. No wonder, 1.3 million tourists visited Angkor
Wat Complex in the first eight months of the 2012 (Tourism of Cambodia Website).
Aside from the showcase of its cultural heritage, a unique destination in
Cambodia caught the attention. Tour 168 (Airline Management) class under Mr.
Zapanta had chosen to include Tonle Sap tour in the itinerary. More than just a
lake, Tonle Sap depicts the unusual side of Cambodia.
Day to day traffic. In 1997, UNESCO declared Tonle
Sap as the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. The Great Lake covers an
area of approximately 250,000 hectares during dry season and it serves as a
home to diverse marine and bird species (unesco.org). It acts like a large bowl
that receives the water from Mekong River and nearby highlands. It is the main
source of livelihood to thousands of fishermen and farmers residing in Kompong Phluk Village. During the dry
season, farmers can plant rice although it is not of good quality. The farming
period is shorter compared to the Philippines, which lasts up to six months.
Residents have to harvest the crops immediately before water starts to cover
the floodplains.
Rainbow village. Tonle Sap tour takes a total of five hours.
Going to the site, one has to take a 30-minute ride from Siem Reap to the port.
And from the port, motor boats are ready to take you to a local-based tourism
station of Kompong Phluk Village....
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