Prek Toal Floating Village & Bird Sanctuary, Cambodia| Must-visit place in Cambodia

Описание: This is a virtual tour of Prek Toal Floating village & Bird Sanctuary in Cambodia. Though Prek Toal is known as a popular bird sanctuary located within the Tonle Sap (North West) Biosphere reserve, but once you visit, you realize it’s much more than that. A unique ecosystem which offers an opportunity to see a different way of Life – floating villages and their culture, nature, huge fish traps, and of course, bird watching for which people visit this place. In harmony with this specialized eco-system, human occupation is also different. Though life is not easy here, yet everybody has an undying spirit and a smile which touches your heart. Let’s go and check it out..
Our journey to the Prek Toal village started from the "Chong Kneas" boat dock on a long tail boat powered by noisy engine. But no one will complaint as this the most efficient and convenient way of commuting this village has, with the rest of the world. The fibre glass boat can deal with both shallow knee deep water as well as main part of the river with equal dexterity. During the ride we crossed numerous fishing villages, some really small and met numerous fisher man working from the break of dawn - half submerged in water, making way - as our boat speeds through. The smile as they pass you - tells a lot of their story - silently - you just need to understand.
The biosphere is rich in both flora and fauna. The surrounding is spectacular for a nature lover - Green as far as the eyes can see.
Finally we arrived at Prek Toal village after about an hour ride. Trying out local breakfast was a wonderful experience. The old women actually did not expect us to buy from them but we did. Their smile and reaction was priceless. After the long ride, it tasted delicious. It was simple yet amazing. Definitely a taste you can never forget. We became a part of the local heritage.
Now it was the time to head towards the bird sanctuary under the guidance of a local Ranger. A unique experience was about to begin. Grey Heron, Pelicans - lot of them, Cormorant, Lesser Adjutant storks, Painted Stork, Grey Headed Fish Eagle - saw them all.
In the mid-day it is a common sight to find the predators circling above your head- forming deforming and reforming in groups.
This Bird watching tower provides an option of watching over the canopies. The flapping sounds of wings as they fly by is something to cherish if you are not already mesmerized by their calls.
Time to return – We headed back to Prek Toal village for a final goodbye. After waving and wishing the ranger good luck, it was time to return. Astonished to see that the fishermen were still working exactly at the same place where we left them in the morning. Work hours are not counted here yet nobody complaints about it. It is a way of life.
And we reached the highway which leads us back to the city life – we wished it did not exist.