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Kampi Dolphin & Turtle Tour
We really enjoyed today and we got to see the real Kratie. We started by going out on a long boat on the Mekong Delta to hopefully spot the endangered Kampi dolphins. There are less than one hundred left so we were excited to have seen so many sightings of them today! We were surrounded by them! We would look out at one side of the boat then dart to the other side to catch glimpses of them. They were differcult to catch on camera so I might take some photos from the web. They have a very distinguished appearance with a very round head that looks too small for their body, that's my opinion anyway. We spent one hour out on the boat watching the animals feed and play with each other by squirting water into the air. We expected there to be lots of other tourists about but there were only three boats out. We shared a boat with another couple so our boat fee was only $7 each. The port wasn't very touristy either, it felt like we had discovered a little unknown secret.
Afterwards Lucky drove us to the Turtle Sanctuary one hour away. We passed the picnic area he told us about and decided we wouldn't go there. It didn't look that great and I think Chris would have got bored very quickly. Plus it was $5 each for a chicken or $10 each for a fish! $2 each to cross the bridge and an extra $2 each for every hour we were there! We didn't think it was worth it just to sit down for lunch.
When we arrived at the sanctuary we were the only ones there. Lucky said it was a new project and had only been open since June last year. We are glad we went, we got to hold a few of the turtles and learn a little about them. The project is to help increase the population of the Asian Soft Shell Turtle. They only lay an average of twenty four eggs once a year, the turtles and their eggs are considered as a food delicacy and also a meal for many predators. Compared to a Sea Turtle that lays between fifty and two hundred eggs a year. They don't stand a chance! So the people here collect the eggs and raise the young turtles before releasing them back into the Mekong Delta river.
On our way back to the hotel we drove down one very long road. We passed lots of villages and farms along the way. It was obvious not many tourists went down the road, all the children were so amazed and excited to see us. They beamed smiles and shouted hello as soon as they noticed us in the tuk tuk. It was a great and friendly experience, we almost felt like we were important! We waved and shouted hello back to them. One group of young children were playing under a house, as soon as they heard the tuk tuk they starting screaming hello and laughing hysterically when we replied. We must have been driving past as school was finishing because most of the children were smartly dressed in uniform. Others looked as though they were on a school trip out, they were all wearing little red helmets! We don't why they had helmets on, maybe to protect them from the bikes driving pass, it wasn't a busy road though and after seeing the way they drive in Cambodia I'm sure they can dodge a child with ease.
Once we passed the village we suddenly came to a stop, the tuk tuk broke down. We couldn't believe it, everywhere we have been something has caught fire or broken down in front of us. Lucky eventually managed to fix the problem and we were on our way again. A good job too, there wasn't much around!
The journey started to get to me and even though the road was bumpy I began to fall asleep. I just couldn't keep my eyes open, then my head started to bob about all over the place. It doesn't matter what kind of transport im in or how bumpy a road is, I always seem to fall asleep! It happened back in Laos on our way to the kayaking. We were sharing a large tuk tuk with some other tourists. The road was so bumby we all had to hold onto the bar above our heads so we didn't bump our heads or fall out. Our body's jumped up into the air every time we drove over a pot hole, yet I still fell asleep! I wasn't even tired. It was a bit embarrassing when my arms and head fell. I had sun glasses on so no one even knew I was asleep untill I dropped lol. Chris always finds it amusing.
When we arrived back in town we went out for some dinner and watched the sun set again. We ate in a small bar that was one of the first bars in Kratie called the Red Sun Falling. It looked pretty cool, the walls were covered in pink heart shaped paper cut outs with flirty quotes and pick up lines written on them. At first we thought the bar may have been a seedy one. The quotes were fun to read but the steak was crap. We had a walk around the shops trying to find Chris a pair of shorts and vests but everywhere seems to sell only jeans and t shirts. He should have bought some from Thailand.
We managed to do everything we wanted in Kratie today so have booked a very early bus going to Phnom Penh tomorrow. We paid Lucky for driving us around and spent less than half the price he originally quoted.
We will watch a film later then have an early night. The bugs and insects have disappeared from our bed so it was due to the window being open last night. So no midnight buggy snacks for us tonight. Ive been looking at some websites this evening trying to find cheap accommodation in Phnom Penh that has a swimming pool. The last few days have been so hot so it would be really nice to relax in a pool after being on a tour. I think I may have found one, it's just outside the city and the fanned bungalow has been discounted from $37 to $11! The reviews look pretty good too so I think I've found a bargain. Compared to the other accomodation on the sites it seems we could easily spend the same price on a fanned room in the city but with no other amenities (like the pool). If all turns out well when we get there tomorrow we will carry on looking for last minute discounted deals on line in the future, especially for cities. Fingers crossed.
Charlotte & Chris
- comments
P "It was a great and friendly experience, we almost felt like we were important! We waved and shouted hello back to them." Just your regular Prince William and Kate, eh? ;0) Hope you found the accomdation with a pool. Here's hoping you dont get what you pay for. Pissy pool water for $11 is the last thing you want on a hot summers day! X