Yet another early start to catch the Tonle Sap ferry from Chong Kneas to Phnom Penn. The ferry port is about 10 miles south of our hotel on the great lake. We caught the seven thirty departure which left at eight fifteen. The Tonle Sap is the biggest lake in South East Asia and comprised about half of our eight hour fifteen minute journey time.
As soon as the lake ends and the Tonle Sap river begins at Kampong Chhang we changed boats. Sue and I got up onto the roof and had a relaxing time watching water buffalo and Cambodian river life spread out before us. Finally we have seen the sun! The boat trip was a great experience, well worth it if you can spare the time and better than a coach ride to Phnom Penn on dodgy roads!
We got to the Khmer capital at 4.30pm and checked into our hotel overlooking the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda.
A quick shower as by 5.30pm we were back out on the water for an hour and a half sunset cruise on the Mekong river. You can't come to Cambodia without going on one of the greatest river systems on the planet. We went with Memory Cruises, they were good, with beer, fruit and a guide as part of the cruise. The sunset was beautiful, with a blazing red sun.
We ate some Khmer tapas at 'Friends' restaurant, round the corner from our hotel; it helps disadvantaged youngsters get experience in the catering and hospitality industry. The food and the service were great, I think it's best to book a table if you're able to though as it was very busy and we had to wait 20 minutes to be seated.
Obviously another early start awaits us tomorrow with a 5:45 am wake up call and a flight to Malaysia.
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