This morning we had a bit of a sleep in. The usual breakfast of omelette, cakes, fruit and coffee. Then off with Nicky for our morning lake tour on Tonle Sap lake. This is the largest lake in Asia, freshwater and huge. More like an ocean. The Government has just spent a fortune building this huge, modern port for the tourists to travel around the lake. Which is quite at odds to the poverty of the people who live there. It does make you wonder. It also seems invasive touring the lake and looking into people's homes. But Nicky assured us that they don't mind as they have benefited from the tourism. Nevertheless I didn't take any photos that to me seemed too personal.

We had a private boat and motored through the marshland for a while. It was very peaceful and very lovely. Very much like Australian wetlands in a way. Then we approached the floating villages. Basically one room homes on stilts that move according to the season. The people are mostly fisherman. And are considered quite poor. We saw them emptying their fishnets. And there were lots of fish. But they were tiny. Almost what we would use for bait. They have a floating school. And a floating basketball court. One home had a huge billiard table in it which was cool. But there is no electricity. No water. To get fresh water they travel miles out into the middle of the lake each day and bring back supplies. They use batteries for basic power. The kids paddle to school in tiny little boats. It is all quite amazing.

We stopped at a floating restaurant. Drank a coconut juice from the coconut. It was super cold. And really nice. There was a tiny kid floating around in a metal bowl with a python wrapped around him. Then he got out and posed with the snake for photos. There were all these Korean tourists and they were taking photos and giving him lollies. Apart from the fact that I was scared of the snake I found the whole thing rather disturbing. And felt very sad for the boy. It just didn't seem right. There was also a crocodile farm there. Dozens of them all on top of each other in a cage with no top on it which I also found rather disturbing. Because I am certain that crocs can climb!!

We did enjoy the tour. The scenery was beautiful. And it was amazing to see how the people have adapted to life on the water.

After this we stopped at the local school. Nicky had asked us the day before if we would like to donate books and pens to the kids. $25 for 50 books and 50 pens. He bought everything and we stopped in and handed out everything to the kids there although we ran out of books and they all didn't get one which was a bit sad. Each child did their prayer welcome/thank you when you gave it to them. And gave you the hugest smile. They were just so cute. I has read on the net about people doing this and then other people saying it was patronising. But it was Nicky's idea not ours. And he is Cambodian and a teacher so I figured it was ok.

We had 45 minutes back at the hotel for a camera re-charge and some fruit for lunch. Then set out again to see some more temples.

First stop was Eastern Mebon the "elephant temple" so called for the elephant statues everywhere. it is a Hindu temple in temple-mountain style. On top there are many towers. It is made of brick which all have holes in them showing that it would originally have been covered with plaster. The stone carved elephants at the corners of the base are to guard the temple. More climbing of steps carved into the sandstone. Yeah!!

Next was Ta Som a 12th century Buddhist temple. It is just a ruin in the centre but being reconstructed. There is a massive strangler fig taking over part of the temple which it quite amazing.

Finally Preah Khan, "sacred sword". This is massive. We entered at one gate and walked through the temple exiting at the opposite end. It is a mass of vaulted corridors, carvings and stonework. The temple itself is in the centre of the complex enclosed by walls. It has been very well reconstructed. And is very impressive.

That night we had dinner at Cuisine Wat Damnak. It is number 2 restaurant on trip advisor and we were looking forward to it. I didn't research it properly though because it is all Cambodian...

The tuk tuk there was a treat. It is out of town, along back streets, in the dark. We nearly got thrown out once and the driver cracked up. It was pretty funny!

We ended up having a 4 course set menu for $17. And enjoyed it all, even though they made us a mistake and gave us the pork dish instead of the fish dish. I am trying it and am like "the fish is black, and chewy...." Took a while to figure out what had happened.

Our tuk tuk driver came back for us at 9 and I think again we were asleep, exhausted by 9.30.