Cambodia_day3

Our last day in Cambodia. We travel about 6 miles south of Siem Reap to Tonle Sap lake. This is the largest freshwater lake in SE Asia. Designated as a UNESCO biosphere in 1997. Its flow changes direction twice a year, and the portion that forms the lake expands and shrinks dramatically with the seasons. From November to May, Cambodia's dry season, the Tonlé Sap drains into the Mekong River at Phnom Penh. However, when the year's heavy rains begin in June, the Tonlé Sap backs up to form an enormous lake. It is one of the most productive inland fisheries in the world, supporting over 3 million people and providing over 75% of Cambodia's annual inland fish catch and 60% of Cambodians' protein intake! Basically we got an idea of life on the river (which looks kinda rough).