Our photo instructor, Emily Mount, led a group just after dawn for a morning stroll on the waterfront. It was overcast and the morning light on the river wasn’t perfect, so Emily guided the group through the local markets and tasted some of the local fare. Before returning to Jahan the group stopped at a lone tree with several hundred Lyle’s flying-fox hanging from the branches. Why they chose this particular tree in a busy city for their daytime camp is anyone’s guess.
Once the early risers group was back on board we cast off and started a fascinating cruise up the Tonle Sap River. Gently cruising alongside villages and local fishing operations was certainly a highlight. Meanwhile, in the lounge, the engaging Jean Michel Fillipi from the University of Phnom Penh presented an amazing and fascinating talk on a whole range of issues, focusing on Cambodian history.
After lunch we cruised through some narrow and scenic channels of the Tonle Sap River. Those on the bow spent much of the time spotting some colourful birds such as white-throated and pied kingfishers and Indian rollers.
Finally we anchored in front of a small town called Kampong Chnang. After a short drive we arrived at a village cooperative that produces pottery, palm sugar and clay cooking ovens for local communities all over Cambodia. We watched excitedly as the enigmatic ‘Mr Ry’ climbed one of the sugar palms, smiling and waving as he ascended into the canopy of the palm. After a few minutes he reappeared and descended down the palm with even more showmanship and flair. After Mr Ry’s heroics, the group was shown how the pots were handmade and had many opportunities to interact with the locals and ask questions.
We left the pottery village with a few souvenirs and many happy memories. After a quick van ride we boarded our boats and travelled up the river past the floating villages, inhabited mainly by Vietnamese immigrants from the 1980s. As we cruised back to Jahan the light from the setting sun was perfect for photographs of the floating village.
Back on board the beautiful Jahan we relaxed and contemplated another wonderful day exploring Cambodia.
