Today was all about the culture.  Through our hotel, we had scheduled a couple of boat tours.  The Mekong Silk Island Tour was our first tour of the day.  We were to cruise up the Mekong river to Silk Island where we’d be immersed in some rural Cambodian culture.  The second tour was the Sunset Cruise offered by the same company.

The company had arranged for us tuk tuk transportation from the hotel to the boat early this morning.  It was a quick ride with which we’d shared with a nice couple from Maine.  Although the dock was a little rustic, the boat was very clean, hospitable and charming.

Both boat tours took us along the banks of the Mekong River to view different Cambodian life through a new prospective.  The views of the Royal Palace and the city skyline were quite amazing; particularly in the evening.

The river banks were home to many different people.  Vietnamese who fled there country during the wars had built stilt homes and support themselves by fishing the Mekong.  During a heavy Monsoon season, the river has been known to rise up to the actual house.

Further down the river is the Muslim fishing village.  These people are Cambodians whom, over a millennium ago, converted to Islam rather than Buddhism; they are know as the Cham.  The Cham spend nearly all of their time on their boats fishing, most of whom live with their families under the small cover on board.

Further up the river we had reached our destination, a muddy point of entry to the weaving village on Silk Island.  As soon as we set foot on terra firma it was apparent that we’d caught the eye of the local children.

We took a short walk to a traditional weaving home we were shown the entire process from silk worm to scarf.  Also given was the opportunity to purchase some handmade silk scarves and fabric.

Horse cart was to be our next mode of transportation.  We traveled a few miles down a bumpy dirt road at a near gallop speed.  Children waved as we passed.

A few miles down the road, we visited the home of one of the more wealthy residents of the town.  He was a famous Cambodian architect who’d passed away a few year back.  His sister lives there now.

Other things we’d seen on the tour:

Oh, and the children.  Who could forget the children.

It was a fantastic day getting a of view of how many Cambodians live.  Beth and I would like to especially thank Ty Davuth and his partners for a truly unforgettable experience touring with Memorable Cambodia Cruises.