Siem Reap temples and treasures: life on the water

Beyond the temples, one of Siem Reap’s most memorable experiences was visiting a floating village. We boarded a wooden boat and glided past houses on stilts, schools and markets bobbing on the lake. The kids asked countless questions about how people live on water and why the water levels change so dramatically.

Earlier that day we had explored Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm. Ending with the village gave us a deeper understanding of how Cambodians adapt to their environment.

Family travel tip: Bring sun hats and sunscreen for boat rides, and choose reputable operators who respect the communities they visit.

Could your family imagine living in a floating village? If you’re curious about Cambodia’s lake life, my travel planning service includes responsible tour options. Altogether, we spent about $172 for the day.