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| Day 1 |
6:45 p.m. - IZABELLA is open for embarking.
Departure for Kôh Chen (Chinese Island). Security briefing, crew introduction.
Arrival to Kôh Chen, visit of the small village of whose inhabitants specialize in silver and copper smiting. They make ornamental items, including delicately engraved tropical fruits, used in traditional ceremonies at the pagoda or for marriages.
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Embarking, departure for Kampong Tralach.
Arrival at Kampong Tralach to visit its wonderful Vihara belonging to Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To get to it, we cross Kampong Tralach Krom village along a small road perpendicular to the river, crossing some gorgeous stretches of emerald rice paddy as we leave the river behind.
The Vihara dates back to early last century. It was probably built on an older site, as indicated by the “latérite” foundations, and is home to some outstanding mural paintings. These, however, are starting to suffer from weathering. They remain one of the last survivors of cultural destruction that continues unabated due to widespread indifference.
Standing by itself in the middle of rice fields, it is a modest pagoda that receives very few visitors. Its isolation may well be its undoing, as was the case last May for Wat Tani Pagoda in the province of Kâmpôt.
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Re-embarking, IZABELLA leaves Kampong Tralach for Kampong Chnang
Arrival to Kampong Chnang.
Located some 56 miles from Phnom Penh, the town of Kampong Chnang is one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonlé Sap. Fish farming is also widely practiced in the area. The area is famous for its pottery ware, unchanged in style for centuries, which is produced in sufficient quantities to supply the entire country – visit of the potters’ village. And not to be overlooked are the products of the Thnot tree (sugar palm – a real national symbol) that abounds in the area: a mellow tasting, caramel-colored sugar sold in large cakes and palm wine.
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Embarking, lunch on board on the way to Chnok Tru.
Arrival at Chnok Tru, IZABELLA is heading on the “streets” of the biggest floating village on the Tonlé Sap River.
Almost totally overlooked by tourists because of its remoteness and difficult access, the village is completely self-sufficient. A floating school, factories to make ice for fish preservation, church, pagoda, service stations, pigsty, stores, boat or television repair shops, video club, karaoke bar, police station... everything is on the water. All trades are represented and everybody from children to grandparents goes by boat through the network of canals that cross this little town. Visit of a local house.
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Departure for a couple of relaxing hours while crossing the Tonlé Sap Lake.
Arrival at Phnom Krom, the pier of Siem Reap. Transfer downtown Siem Reap by our bus.
18:00 p.m. - Arrival at FCC Angkor Hotel, the final point of our trip. The local tour agent in charge of your land arrangements will transfer you at your hotel.
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