The Floating Villages of Siem Reap

Location:
Cambodia, Siem Reap

boating, villagers, Cambodia

By Jacqui Menard

The wood creaks beneath the soles of my sandals, and the boat rocks back and forth to the beat of the waves. The captain extends his hand, I grab hold: it’s hard and calloused. I duck beneath the rotting ceiling and step inside.

I make my way along the rickety floor boards towards an empty row of seats at the back of the boat. I sit down and smile at the children who’re lined along the shore watching us. They wave: I wave back, splash cloudy green water at them; they look at one another, hide their faces in their hands and laugh.

The captain’s bare feet putter past me as he runs through pools of water towards the back of the boat. He takes his place, adjusts his baseball cap and hovers over top the steering wheel before he slowly makes us move. The motor sputters out grayish water; he maneuvers our boat into the open air; my legs bounce, and my seat vibrates as we make our way past the shore line and set sail for the floating villages of Siem Reap. I turn around, notice the children by the shore shrinking, small, smaller, tiny, and then they disappear.

Our boat lunges forward and we pick up speed. I stare off into the distance, transfixed by the local Cambodians who inhabit these waters. They look happy and content, as they paddle towards home in their make shift boats after a hard day of selling goods to wealthy tourists.

An unsuspecting wave creeps along side us and showers me with murky water. I wipe the droplets from my brow, and smile wide as a young boy in a bamboo boat floats by. He’s all alone, and I wonder how long it took him to paddle out so far. His long brown oar extends far beyond his head, and he waves at me shouting happily as we speed by.

I watch as tourists in passing boats congregate together; huddling over top of guide books, pointing into the far off distance, or shielding their eyes from the last bit of sun.

The motor hums, and my skin feels damp as we stop along side a young girl who’s paddled over to sell us drinks. She’s all but the age of four, I wonder where her parents are, and how she managed to stay a float with a cooler full of soft drinks.

She examines us with big brown eyes.

“Coca-cola?”

A few passengers buy. Emptying change purses and pockets, they take their drinks and let her keep the change. She smiles, we take her photo, exchange some phrases in broken English and then head on our way.

I re-examine her photograph on my digi cam. She’s got sad eyes, eyes that seem to long for an innocence lost amidst the cloudy waters of Siem Reap. I turn around to see if I can still see her, but make eye contact with our captain. We exchange smiles, and I realize this is probably all this little girl knows and will ever know for the rest of her life.

Further Information

Travel tips: Make sure to visit these villages. It quite eye opening and interesting

Must see/do at this place: Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, Baphoun Temple,Phimean Akas, Boat trip to Tonle sap Floating Villages,Visit local markets and Silk Farm

You should avoid here: Nothing really that I can think of. Just be open and willing to enjoy!