Friday, March 25, 2011

Dolphin spotting and wolfing down watermelons

Waking up in Koh Preah is no problem at all when you have a house rooster directly below where you sleep. All the houses in the village are on stilts and have around 2 or 3 proper rooms although it is largely open plan and private sections are normally closed off with drapes. Loos and washrooms are in separate huts outside- at night a torch is a crucial item on this island! There were six of us sleeping on the floor in the main room with two double mats for four volunteers while the owners slept in a curtained off section. Sleeping on the wooden floor was surprisingly comfortable and in light of the long day before I think I could have slept soundly on most surfaces! We were out of the house by 6am and as we walked through the village to have breakfast we were greeted on the way by smiling children on their way to school.
Children on their way to school in Koh Preah
We ate jackfruit and porridge (rice and water) for breakfast and then promptly headed off to go dolphin watching. The boats were docked by a small outcrop in the middle of the river that we were able to climb up to get a good view. Admittedly, we, or at least I couldn't help envisage the stereotypical picture of dolphins jumping into arch shapes out of the water but as quietly expected it was not as cliche as that. We spent about half an hour without seeing anything and joking with outbursts of 'Oh there's one! Oh wait no there isn't' which didn't tire as quickly as you may think! Thankfully, we did eventually see some black shapes that we made out to be heads and fins, popping in and out of the water and after the wait we were very grateful.
Dolphin watching
On the island nearby we met the dolphin police who ensure the correct methods of fishing are carried out as the dolphins are extremely rare and at high risk of extinction. Losing the mammals would not only be greatly disappointing but would eradicate a significant section of tourism in this area. While touring the island we were invited to see one of the biodigesters that supplies methane gas into the homes of the villagers making daily tasks like cooking far less time consuming and allowing the mother of the house to try and increase the family's income through means such as tending to the rice fields, raising animals or growing vegetables. In order to maintain the methane supply a member of the household needs to load manure into the a small repository in the garden. As well as the biodigester, the villager had a man-made pond, also provided by CRDT, which employs a far more sustainable method of fishing. Without affecting the river's eco-system, they also have the added convenience of being able to fish as they work at their house. 

A villager showing us her pond
The island is home to an array of fruits, one of which is how we attain our beloved cashew nuts. The cashew nut hangs on the bottom of a yellow fruit which is extremely juicy, sweet and with a slightly sour end taste. It was delicious and we were surprised that only the small part of the fruit (the cashew) was given all the limelight. The fruit even comes with its own story where the cashew nut symbolizes 'The Outsider'. The story asserts that God had completed his work of creation and was satisfied with all that he had done. Moments later the Cashew came to God and told him that he had forgotten to give the Cashew a seed. As it was too late to do major surgery, God attached the nut outside the fruit. Hence the cashew nut is an outsider even on its own tree. (Poor him.) 


Cashew nut fruit
Now it was time for one of my favourite visits. We journeyed to 'Watermelon Island.' It is definitely what it says on the tin. Watermelon Island was beautiful- we had to walk over a sandy hill, through a stream and up to a hut situated amidst surrounding land scattered with growing watermelons. It was the best watermelon I have ever had and it came aplenty. 
Going to great lengths to get to our watermelons
Chopping up the good stuff
Chilling on Watermelon Island- the luckiest pig in Cambodia
After another dip in the Mekong, a spot of lunch at Koh Preah, it was now time for our never ending boat trip back to Steung Treng. We got back in the evening and, in the morning, after buying breakfast in the market we were ready to get back to the hustle and bustle of the Penh.  


Me leaving Koh Preah- (behind)
Sunset on our return







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