The Bamboo Skyscrapers of Kompong Phhluk, Cambodia

Adventure today, and we had no idea what we were in store for. After arranging a tuk-tuk for the day with our usual driver Sila, we were unsure of what exactly was going to happen as his English was not great. So, as it turned out, we rode in the tuk-tuk, as far as the road would take us before it was just too rough. Then he and his brother (who had followed on a motorbike), disconnected the tuk-tuk and we hopped on the back of each bike for a very rough, 45 minute ride. It was so bumpy that the bikes would bottom out every now and again sending the shock up our spines! We ended up in what turned out to be the village of Kompong Phhluk. The very wide road down the centre split the 2 rows of bamboo huts built really high up on stilts (6-7 m, 20 ft) -essential for surviving the monsoon season when Lake Tonle Sap rises to about 5 times the dry season level! It was a very cool sight, especially with the shrimps drying on mats out in front of the places. We explored around the backs of the huts that bordered the river. There was just a bustle of activity around which made for an interesting time, especially with all the kids yelling "hello" at us. Michelle is getting to be a bit of a Pied Piper, as everywhere she goes, she has kids following her! They are a treat though, and we love speaking with them.

In addition to the village, we also took out one of the boats through the petrified forest, to the floating village in the lake. These people move their huts according to the water levels, as their way of life is to fish the lake intensely. The homes actually have fish pens attached where they fatten the fish up and then farm them. Out here, we watched a family sorting out one pen into sizes. Lots of 'flying' fish, as they would chuck them over the bamboo fences into whichever pen they required. At another hut we watched them shovel and sort a new catch right on the living room floor! Loads of fish were heaved up onto the deck where 6 ladies were squatting, waiting to sort them all out, before bagging and weighing them - ready for market. Our day was a real treat, and even though we had no idea what was actually going to happen, things worked out great! *Stub