The Road to Kampung Phluk
During the Dry Season

Kampung Phluk is a must see on your visit to Angkor Wat. The view of stilted houses towering up 10 meters high are a sight to be seen.

But did you know that going there during the dry season is more difficult than the wet season?  And that is all because Kampung Phluk is located in the edge of the Tonle Sap lake?

Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate. So each year, the water level of the Tonle Sap lake rises during the rainy season, and lowers during the dry season.

Although all this sounds very elementary, the effect of this rising and lowering of water level is vast, and affects Cambodian people's life tremendously. When the Tonle sap lake gets filled on the rainy season, it literally floods a large amount of its surrounding area. That includes the stilted houses at Kampung Phluk and the roads to it.

When the roads to Kampong Phluk are flooded, those roads become a river. And so, you can just use a boat to go the village.

However, when the roads dries up during the dry season, transportation becomes harder since now you have to use motorcycles or bicycles.

Now that, in itself, does not sound too bad. Bicycles or motorcycles are okay forms of transportation.

But there's a reason why only bicycles and motorcycles can pass the roads. And there's a reason why I didn't mention tuktuks or cars or vans.

And that is because: the road condition to Kampung Phluk during the dry season is bad. Bad. Horrible.

Utterly bad road condition, due to being submerged under water for half of the year.

There is no way  tuktuks or cars would pass this way, unless they want to ruin their vehicles!

But even with motorcycles, the journey is by no means comfortable. Not only you have to get used to the bumpy ride, frequent slow down and sudden stops, you also have the hot Cambodian sun beating down on you.

All in all, the 2 -2.5 hour trip from Siem Reap to Kampung Phluk could leave you tired, and possibly cranky.

BUT!

All of that is worth it. Because while you are grumbling about the bad road condition, you'll also be feasting your eyes on the magnificent Cambodian countryside. One that you can only see during the dry season.

Blue clear skies above. Green paddy fields on your left and right. Lone farmers tilling their field. Fishermen fixing their nets. Run down shacks on the sides. And long red dirt road ahead.

Blue skies, green rice paddy fields, cool and a cool breeze.

Fishermen shacks on the side of the road. Unbelievably simple living.

Fishermen checking his net for small fish.

Rice paddy fields everywhere, and the long road ahead to Kampung Phluk.

It was a stepping into a different world. It was amazing! I highly highly recommend this trip, if you have great tolerance for traveling on bad roads.

We also encountered villagers and shopkeepers who were trying to load their items to the boat.

Market sellers unloading goods from vehicle. I guess this one vehicle is made for rough terrain.

Now looking at this spectacle, it will hit you once more how the Tonle Sap water level affects all and every part of Cambodian people. Whereas before the boat will take them all the way to the village, they will not have to deal with this loading and offloading of goods.

Loading goods to boat heading to Kampung Phluk.

But once you reach this part where the water level is sufficient for boats, you can breathe a sigh of relief. The bumpy roads are over, what comes ahead is a nice boat ride all the way to Kampong Phluk.

 
Aaah...comfortable boat rides under the shades..finally..

You'll see many fish nets along the way, where bamboo cages are constructed and placed in between the branches to trap the fish in. There were also fishermen on the river setting up the fish traps. That will tell you how shallow the river is in that area, because they're standing on their feet, working.

Since the water level is still not very high, some river ways are rather narrow and will only fit one boat at a time. So there comes the needs for some traffic logistic, usually in the form of big loud horns, to inform boaters on the other side.

Maneuvering boat traffic in a tight space.

Just think, everywhere you see, whatever you look, is submerged under water during the wet season. How amazing it is to navigate your way and see what's underneath all that water. It's like diving without getting wet and without all the equipments!

Some parts have less trees so it's easier to navigate.

I think going to Kampong Phluk during the dry season is like having two trips is one: the amazing journey to the village, and the village itself. Both are unbelievable.

I love Cambodia!

Onwards to Kampung Phluk!

PS. You can go by tuktuks using the National Highway 6 to the Rolous area, but from there, you must proceed by motorcycles. So during the dry season going to Kampung Phluk is a three legged journey, tuktuk, motorcycles, and then boat. During the rainy season, it's only 2 legged, tuktuk and boat. 

Kampung Phluk: A Different World
Would you like a real and authentic cultural experience while in Cambodia? Kampung Phluk is your answer. Going to this river village by the Tonle Sap lake is like stepping into another world. Number #1 on our must do list.

Holiday in Cambodia Must See and Do list!
What are the must see, must do activities while having a holiday in Cambodia? River villages, Tonle Sap lake, more remote temples, early visit to Ta Prohm, and spend a day in the village!

Cambodia Climate and Weather
The Cambodia climate is a tropical monsoon climate. The whole year is basically consisted of two seasons, the monsoon or rainy season, and the dry season. Which time is best for visiting? It depends.

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