Chong Koh and Angkor Ban, Cambodia
Early this morning, we continued our journey down the lower part of the Tonle Sap River to where it rejoins the magnificent Mekong. It was a quiet morning, broken only by the occasional shouts of greeting from children onshore. We passed many small villages, each seemingly dominated by a temple or a mosque.
Mid-morning, we arrived at the small town of Chong Koh on Mekong Island. This settlement, roughly 20km north of Phnom Penh is known for its weaving industry. Colorful cotton cloth, scarves, and even the traditional Khmer “krama” were on display for all to see. A frenzy of modern sales techniques followed our arrival and we were offered any number of items at incredibly negotiable prices. We also walked through the village to see the cotton cloth being woven on traditional looms. Seeing this beautiful handicraft renewed and watching its creation was an experience for all of us. Beginning with colorful thread in baskets, wound around thin spools through use of a bicycle wheel and pedal, the cloth magically comes together through a combination of hard work and exceptional skill.
When we returned to our temporary home aboard Jahan, we continued our education about traditional Cambodian handicraft. This began with a demonstration by the ship’s Cambodian crew, highlighting traditional garments and a show of the countless ways to wear and utilize a krama. Immediately after, Paula spoke about the resurgence of Cambodian handicrafts in recent years, after the incredible loss of the knowledge of these traditional skills at the hands of the Khmer Rouge.
Afternoon cruising up the Mekong allowed us some time to relax and reflect before we tried our hand at producing some of the delicacies of Khmer cuisine. One of the chefs in the galley, Bunsoeub, instructed us in the proper ways to produce pork fried spring rolls and that signature Cambodian dish, Fish Amok.
Our last outing of the day was in the lovely village of Angkor Ban. Seeing these small villages and interacting with the locals has been a highlight of our experience on the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers. Everyone is so open and friendly, and all it takes is a smile and an attempt at “Hello!” in Khmer to open up the lines of communication.
