The Stilted Village

We went to Kampong Phluk, a village of stilted houses in the flood plain of Tonle Sap Lake yesterday, and boy was that cool! It was an hour away by tuk-tuk, half of which is spent on dirt roads (it was a long dusty ride) past bright green rice paddies. We then hopped into a creaky wooden boat and puttered through a narrow canal; passing dozens of fishermen neck deep in the muddy water working nets.

We turned a bend to see house after house raised on stilts 20+ feet in the sky. We saw bamboo boxes that we were told become floating pig pens, chicken coops, etc when the waters come. At this time of year, the lake shore is pretty far away so it is mind boggling to think that the water rises that far and high in the rainy season!

Kampong Phluk is just far enough away from Siem Reap that it is not heavily frequented by tourists. Additionally, modern world progress has been slow to reach it. So, life for these villagers have not much changed over the years- it was really like going back in time. We were just passers-by in the regular daily life of the village. In fact, most people were so busy that they didn't even notice us (except for the fishermen who had to move for the boat). For better or for worse, though, there is alot of construction on the canal and I believe the plan is to dramatically increase tourism there in the next few years.

Today we just rested by the pool, packed up for the long bus ride to Hochiminh tomorrow, and planned our upcoming week in Vietnam. We hope to hit the night market for a minute and make it out to dinner, but that's it. Really, I focused all of my energy on kicking the killer cold I have been suffering through all week- my third since we left the US. I guess I can escape the winter cold but not the winter colds!

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