The Tonlé Sap (meaning Large Fresh Water River but more commonly translated as Great Lake) is a combined lake and river system of huge importance to Cambodia. It is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia. Tonle Sap one of the most productive inland fisheries in the world, supporting over 3 million people and providing over 75% of Cambodia's annual inland fish catch and 60% of the Cambodians' protein intake. At the end of the rainy season, the flow reverses and the fish are carried downriver. Many villages on the banks and much of fishermans on the Tonle Sap.

For another shot, click here - The Floating Village

I stood on the platform of the village and took this shot to show you how it looks like out there in the lake with the floating houses.

It's called a floating village, so the houses are built on stilts. Many of the houses are with roof of straw or sheets, assembled on pile or floats. These houses and fish ponds change place, according to the rise of water and the season, a removal... a boat of sins drawing several houses. The village changes place. You can say - portable housing estate. The water's muddy and even smelt bad. This was because the lake's water level was low around this time of year. Come to think of it, lunch was fish and it came from this river!

A lady seen paddling on the lake. By the way I see more women paddling on the lake. I wonder what happened to all the men!

There is a floating school located in the lake. As you can see from the picture, it looks like she is reading something (I think!). At least the kids are given some sort of education despite living conditions.

Other than a motorised boat, the alternate way is boat paddling... It is a shallow lake, where people go fishing and which they use as their road.

Kids as young as this boy were seen paddling the boats. Mmm....shame on me. I doubt I can even do that!

Tonle Sap is the largest lake of Cambodia. Many Vietnamese were seen paddling their boats on the lake approaching tourists.....earn some money.

A lady and her son/daughter (check out the hairstyle...cool!) offering her goods ie bananas for sale to the tourists (clothing is deceiving..some of the kids wore girls clothes but taking a closer look you know they are not girls!) Check out this picture - Ooops....I Forgot To Wear My Underwear. The only words she could say was `One dollar, please' and there she lifted her plate of bananas. It was a mixed feelings. Initially I felt pity. But the crowd soon grew bigger with more Vietnamese coming in with the children to sell bananas. All the kids could say was the same "One dollar' and stuck out their pointer as indication and offered their bananas to the tourists.

For another shot: click here.

Two kids in action attracting our attention to buy their bananas. The little one definitely wanted a dollar while the other girl wanted two dollars.

I feel for them in way. Especially the kids. Check out the inside of this boat. You can see the baby sleeping in there.

I suppose you can't blame me for having that `mixed feelings'. Check out this picture and the number of `traders' selling their goods - only bananas! The little girl had a sad look on her face....but there were so many of them!! Can't possibly buy all the bananas and the kids were taught to say `One dollar' at the same time indicating with their pointer. Sometimes even two fingers...and I wonder what that sign is suppose to mean? `Two dollars' or the `peace' sign?

A girl was seen tugging on to her mother. She looks tired and I don't blame her. It's hot out there.

It's extremely hot out there in the lake. There is no shelter for the kids. So the kids looked very dark despite being of Vietnam origin. The lady who is breastfeeding her baby looks young. She never smiled but continued frowning. Can't imagine myself in her position being a young mother and having to take care of other kids as well! What more living on a boat and travelling like this everyday begging tourist to buy bananas. So I don't blame them for having that spirit of persistent. I am sure with much patience, some kind soul will offer their generousity to buy their bananas or even offer money to them. I suppose it's better this way then literally begging for money (which they did once upon a time ago).

The sun was blazing hot outside. Just imagine sitting on a tiny boat like this, paddling along the lake, it's sure a hard life out there. Shot this scene of a kid helping his mother to cover the boat with a cloth to shade his little brother/sister who was having a nap on the boat.

At last I spotted a kid with the Peace sign. Not one but two...