The muddy road leading to the boat dock
at the lake
The Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia is the largest fresh water lake in South-east Asia. One of its unique features is the change of direction of flow of water between dry and wet seasons.
When the weather is dry, water drains out from the lake by the Tonle Sap Riiver into the Mekong river. The lake shrinks in size and depth. The lake will then be about one fifth its larger possible size in rainy season. The depth of water will be about 1 meter.
In rainy season, the lake swells back to its larger size as a result of the back flow of water from the swollen Mekong river, flooding the dried up part of the lake.
The reversal of flow serves as a natural valve to prevent flood in the surrounding area of the Mekong river.
A productive inland fishery, the Tonle Sap lake provides a large portion of the country's inland fish production. The lake is a habitat for a great variety of plants, reptiles, mammals, birds and other animals. A few million people live on and around the lake with their livelihood revolving and depending on the activities in and around the lake.
Stilted village on the lake
Villagers bath in the lake
and they drink the water from
the lake too
The only means of transportation
--- boat
Children moving around
in water tubs and tubes
Tourists boat moving through
a floating village
Another stilted village
Condition of living on these stilted houses
is not of the higher quality
Old ship parked on the lake
used as hotel and restaurant
Vietnamese child roaming in
big water tub in the lake
soliciting for gifts from tourists
crocodile farm on a floating premise
a small township on the lake
boats for hire at the boat dock
Stilted houses
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