Today we toured the floating village of Chong Kneas on the Tonle Sap Lake which is 16 KM. south of Siem Reap. It is only one of several floating villages on the lake with a population of 3,500. The lake is the largest fresh water lake in SE Asia and is a designated UNESCO biosphere.
The flow of the Tonle Sap River changes direction twice a year and the portion which forms the lake rises and falls between 1 and 12 metres. When it is at its' lowest, the people move from their floating homes to the nearby mountain and wait for the monsoons at which time they move back to their lake homes.
The area is home to many Vietnamese and Cambodian floating communities with a total
Fishing as well as alligator and fish farming provide the main source of protein as well as a livlihood for these people. The average annual income for these people is $500 US.
Until next post,
Joan & Ross
WOW!!! Joan, those photos are incredible. Sounds like you and Ross are having an amazing time on your trip! Looking forward to reading more blogs!! Look at you being so tech savvy!! I'm very impressed!
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Gayle