Life on Water

One of the main landmark at the heart of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, is the intersection of four rivers, namely Tonle Sap (Sap River), Tonle Bassac (Bassac River), Tonle Thom (Upper Mekong River) and Tonle Toch (Lower Mekong River). It is also known as Chaktomouk, the Four Face River. Here, you can see families practically living on the water.

The first community I passed by live on boats at the river mouth intersection of Tonle Sap and Tonle Thom.

Further down on the other side of the river, at Lower Mekong River, people live at wooden houses, some on the ground and some on the water.

Typical lifestyle and daily activities of people who live above the water...

Noticed a girl changing in full view of the public. Very skilfully done; using a big piece of hard cloth to shield her body, she undid and wore her clothes, all done within a few seconds...

Houses and more houses...

Over here at one secluded corner of the river, people reside on boats. According to my tour guide, people on boats here are mostly Vietnamese.

Reference: aguidetoasia.com

Children of Cambodia

Welcome to Cambodia, where you can see children children everywhere.

Children selling books and souvenir items are a common sight here. These cute little kids will follow you and persuade you to buy their stuff. If you don't want to buy anything from them, at least give them some sweets. They would be happy to accept your offer.

This girl here below is lucky as she is employed to play this traditional instrument at the lobby of the four-star hotel which I was staying at. In the morning when I come down for breakfast, I will see this girl with her sweet face playing some sweet music to soothen my senses. Not many children here are as lucky though.

A young child manning a stall at the night market.

Children bathing and playing in this canal that flows to Tonle Sap Lake. You can see families staying on boats and houses above the water here.

The not so fortunate children...

The last photo here is the most pitiful. It shows a mother and her two children spending the night by the street. Notice a child asleep on the footpath and a baby being carried by the mother.

Tunnel

As the saying goes... there is a light of hope at the end of the dark tunnel...

However, what do you think of this... it is darkness at the end of the bright tunnel...

...shiver...

Angry Sky

Be afraid... Be very afraid... The sky is very very angry...

Which sky are you more afraid of? This?

Or this?

Speeding

Take a guess... which photo do you think the cars are speeding faster?

Photo 1?

or Photo 2?

No prize for the correct answer...

Amazing Racers

Sisters Pamela and Vanessa from Malaysia finished runners-up in the Amazing Race Asia Season 2, which saw teams travel through 4 continents around the world. In fact, they managed to finished first in the First Pit Stop of the race in the Philippines. Cool chicks, you've gotta see them when they are under presure. Their most prominent trademark is "I'm so confused....".

Here are some of their photos.

Source: axn-asia.com
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Whitewater Rafting

Wonder why it is called Whitewater Rafting and not just Water Rafting? Well, this is basically due to the roughness and the strong current of the water, with splashes here and there. As a result, white foams are formed all over the surface. Hence, the name Whitewater Rafting.

Sungai Kampar which is located at Perak, Malaysia is a good place for this adventure. The river here is mostly of Whitewater Class 1 and Class 2 category, with some occasional Class 3 rapids here and there. Located somewhere along the main North-South trunk road near Kampar town, I don't remember seeing any clear signage directing people to this place.

However, one easy way of getting here is by going to the famous Gua Tempurung, which is a stone's throw away, and asking the guides there to direct you the way here. They will be more than willing to assist you.

We have conquered Sungai Kampar!
From left: Kong KW, Tan MS, June, our guide (backside facing camera), Lim YH and Jack. This trip was back in 31st October 2004.

Whitewater Rafting is SUPER COOL!
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