Floating Forest

After 3 days of Anchor Watt, walking up at sunrise and walking in the excruciating heat until sunset it was time for something different. A friend of mine, whom had also visited Cambodia, said that no trip was complete without visiting the Floating Forest. We had a lovely tuk tuk driver that became a close friend and offered to take us there. I had heard that the roads were rough and had planned on taking a truck up to the village, but another day with our friend seemed like a much better deal anyways. The sand road was incredibly bumpy and we often had to get out and push the tuk tuk. But sure enough we made it to the edge of a large river. The Floating Forrest can only be reached by boat, so on we went into unknown waters. After about a 30 minute boat ride we arrived to a clearing and stepped into a large canoe. We paddled as overgrown trees emerged from the water. There was nothing but us and nature, until we hit a clearing and arrived at the village known as the 'Floating Forest'. Homes are built on stilts and families live off of the water for their main source of income, transportation and everyday essentials. Children run out to the porches to wave to us and stare awkwardly at the 'Farang' (foreigners) as we paddle past. We stop at a floating house and are welcomed in by a warm and smiling family. Then we are given the feast of a lifetime. A large barbecued whole fish, straight from the water, fried vegetables, fried/battered fish, noodles and the smallest and most delicious shrimp I have ever eaten in my life. As we eat the sun is setting and it is time to say goodbye. We leave by boat back the way we came- into the dense, floating trees and the sun reddens to lead us home.