The Tonlé Sap is the vast lake in Cambodia and The Tonle Sap is the largest lake in southeast Asia. In Cambodian its name means “Large Fresh Water River,” but it is more commonly translated as “Great Lake”) It is a combined lake and river system of huge importance to Cambodia. Julie Wilson writes of her trip to this region in Cambodia.
One of my favourite days was travelling up the Sangke River into the Tonle Sap Lake on our way to Siam Reap (the town near the Angkor Wat temple complex). We started our river journey from Battenbang. Our long boat was just one of many watercraft on river – all long and narrow and paddled or with tiny motors.
Floating Pig Pen
Our boat followed the Sangke as it meandered north for hours – the riverbank always dotted with interesting small settlements of two or three houses on either side along its length. After around 4 hours of serene travelling the river widened out, and then began to widened out again and again until it became a vast delta. And imperceptibly the delta became a vast and beautiful lake – the Tonle Sap Lake. Now dotted with waterlilies and low long pieces of ground almost level with the water and covered with lush green vegetation and even small trees.
We passed whole villages of four to eight houses either on tall silts of five or six meters high or, even more fascinating, floating on bamboo rafts. The floating settlements of houses all on rafts were so picturesque. Each house was floating on each own bamboo raft. And not only houses but small sheds, vegetable patches, chicken coups and pig pens – each on its own bamboo raft base and linked by a rope to a house.
As our long narrow boat travelled on up into the great lake we went through small floating towns – shops, community halls, schools, and school playgrounds were all floating on their own raft. Truly a beautiful and amazing sight.
So if you get the chance, I highly highly recommend that you include the river journey on the Sangke from Battenbang to Siam Reap as a travel destination to Cambodia. I loved it! For me it was, with the temples, the highlight of the trip and such a relaxing and enchanting way to travel too.
One Great Reason to Visit the Sanke River and Tonle Sap Lake
One great reason to visit this travel destination is to view the communities living upon the water. Houses on stilts or floating out on the water on bamboo rafts. Fascinating!
Travel Photo of the Week: Geisha District, Kyoto, Japan
Japan is a perfect example of a country where cultural traditions and modern technology co-exist. There is, however, nothing in the West that compares to the Geisha. Witnessing this Kyoto Geisha heading out early evening was a highlight of my trip to amazing Japan. These women are working and probably on their way to an engagement where Geisha elders or customers are waiting. I was unprepared for the richness of the Kimono, the teetering walk in their platform sandals, the elaborate hair, the whiteness of the makeup and the smile. It was thanks to the local Geisha School connections of our Canadian born tour guide which enabled such close proximity. It was breathtaking and moving.
Bagan once known as Pagan, is centrally located on a vast plain in Burma in the region of Myanmar. The area is most well-known for the numerous temples and pagodas dotted around the area, creating a mystical skyline. Most of the temples were built between the 11th and 13th centuries A.D. by King Anawrathta who founded the Bagan Empire. The Bagan dynasty fell at the end of the 13th century and many pagodas were also lost.
With more than 2,200 temples and pagodas to visit that remain standing, covering an area of approximately 40 square kilometres, no traveller will have the same story to tell of their visit to Bagan, for no traveller will visit the same temples – there are too many to choose from! Bagan is a travel destination to rival the famous temples of Angkor, Cambodia.
The Weeping Goldsmith: Discoveries in the Secret Land of Myanmar (Hardcover)
One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the 2,200 temples that create an amazing skyline which is best viewed at dawn, creating magical silhouettes.
The small rural community of Ohara is located about one hour north of Kyoto. It is a perfect travel destination to go on retreat if you want to escape the hustle of the bigger cities and experience traditional Japanese culture. Ohara has two hot spring ryokans (traditional inns) which pump mineral water to the surface from a depth of more than 1km. Angela Pearse stayed at Oharanosato, and gave the outdoor bath a go.
“Traditional bathing in Japan is different from what I’m used to. The washing part takes place inside at the taps so I won’t be wallowing in my own (and others) grime. It makes good sense but crouching naked on a low stool, while sluicing myself with warm water from a bucket, culturally goes against the grain. I keep one eye warily on the door in case anyone comes in and my hands poised, ready to cover myself faster than a samurai wheeling his sword.
Oharanosato Bath
Once I’m all clean I head outdoors to soak in the hot water, and I mean hot water. The Japanese generally consider anything below 45C for sissies. I’m worried about being boiled alive as I gingerly submerge my body into a pool of scalding mineral water, but the vista of brooding mountain range and darkened forest distracts from my tingling nerve ends. Overhead, tiny silver spheres sprinkle across a jet-black sky, while nearby bamboo rustles mysteriously with the cool night breeze and, to add to the atmosphere, a lone frog croaks from a rice-paddy. I’m in my element, though up until now I’ve never communed this closely with nature while having a bath”.
One great reason to visit this travel destination is to stay at Oharanosato where you can sleep Japanese style, eat traditional food and bathe in one of the outdoor mineral pools (men and women do have separate pools!).
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