Fish farmers have floating houses with a "tank" 10 metres wide, 20 metres long and 6 metres deep floating under their house. There are a couple of lift off hatches to allow them to feed their several thousand strong fish factory and once they are big enough sell to the local and export market. Very ingenious.
Feeding time at the fish farm.
Stopped off to visit and walk through the Cham village. They would have to be the friendliest people we have encountered in Vietnam so far even though we were intruding on their daily life around 8am in the morning.
A typical Cham village house.
Around 8.45 we boarded the "fast" boat and headed toward the Vietnam/Cambodia border. A short stop to check out the propellor after we struck something very hard! Must be ok we kept going and got to the Vietnam border at 9.55.
While it can take up to two hours during the busy season we were there at low season and were all processed within 15 minutes, then a short 5 minutes boat ride to the Cambodian side and luckily another 15 to 20 minutes and we were back on our way.
At first you think there is not much different then you realise that 1. There are no longer houses all along the river banks, 2. The land is flatter and seems less densely covered in trees and scrub, and 3. There are virtually no commercial boats on the river and very little other river craft either.
The fast boat is not really that fast and instead of the 1.30 arrival in Phnom Penh we are told it's likely to be closer to 3.30, but, there's a lovely breeze and pleasant scenery so we settle in for the ride.
One short stop at a tree stump by the river and we meet another boat exactly the same as ours, their passengers disembark and board our boat and we board their boat - they are heading to Vietnam and we continue our journey to Cambodia.
Around 2.30 we see some tall buildings in the distance and rightly figure that's our first sighting of Phnom Penh.
The buildings are also slightly different design.
Cruise in to Phnom Penh just after 3.15 and as we disembark the heat hits us....Pow! Feels like 40 plus. But stick to our plan and walk the short (7-800m) walk to our hotel only to find they have double booked and ask us to take a complimentary TukTuk ride to their partner hotel around the corner. The rooms look ok so we check in....
Hmmmmm think we may be in a house of ill repute but only for one night and it's too hot to be bothered moving. Time for a cold shower and a pause to catch our breath then out to view the sights. Boys had a cold one and the girls walked the lovely promenade along the rivers edge and caught a bit of the breeze. Can't believe the 50 or 60 locals participating in a step class on the banks of the river but it's interesting to watch.
Our TukTuk driver has recommended a local restaurant and has agreed to pick us up at 7 to take us there. Apparently a great menu including a good vegetarian section. Kim and Russell decide on Khumer curries and Brent had a really nice spicy Khumer chicken dish and Lesley had vegetarian spring rolls (with chicken!) and a green Mango salad. Slightly more expensive than Vietnam or China but still very reasonable.
We all enjoyed our meal and the walked along the river back to our hotel ....... most pleasant way to finish the evening.
A "quiet" drink on the balcony has B and L realising that sleep won't be that easy tonight - the bar across the road is very kindly sharing their music to the whole of Phnom Penh! Oh well we're so tired hopefully sleep will come. At least our light turns off - unlike the one in 301 where Kim and Russell are trying to get to sleep! One night, one night, one night. It's like counting sheep.....
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