We had read much online about the famous boat from Battambang to Siem Reap and had heard that in the wet season it would take only 4-5 hours, but in the dry season it could take up to 9-10 hours with the boat running aground along the way.
We had blocked out a day for travel, so as we had the time to play with we agreed to book the boat (we did this via our hotel) and looked forward to however long the journey would be, as it would be at least be nice day relaxing on the river.
The boat left at 7am, so we met our resident taxi driver said he would take us to the jetty. We were almost hitting 7am and almost at the jetty when our driver turned around and informed us at some traffic lights that he had 'no gas' and couldn't get us the rest of the way. Luckily for us he had ran out within about 200m of the jetty so we didn't have to walk far, but with time running tight we had to sadly leave him stranded in the middle of the street!
We rocked up to the jetty and there was no boat but a truck which we were all to be squeezed into - luggage and all - and would be driving one hour to reach the boat. This we understood was because the water levels were too low. We became very well acquainted with our fellow passengers as we squeezed on board balancing on the metal edge of the truck side (where Chris was perched), a wooden plank against the cabin and a few spare tyres on the floor in the middle (where Julia and some of the other locals had plumped for).
The truck journey was longer than they had told us...closer to an hour and a half by the time we reached the village where we would board the boat. This meant we all had quite sore bums from the very narrow bumpy dirt track we had navigated for about 45 minutes to reach the village, and Chris' arms were scratched up from all the bushes lining the track. All part of the experience though, right?!
All aboard the boat we floated much more peacefully and comfortably down the river towards Siem Reap.
The journey was beautiful, passing through floating villages a plenty and by the unique fishing contraptions that dominated the water.
The villagers going about their daily chores and business as they leaned out of their silted homes to say hello as we floated on past.
As we reached Tonle Sap Lake we knew we were almost there, and with the clock saying 2pm, the journey we realised had only taken us 7 hours. Not the 9-10 hours we had prepared ourselves for!
We were greeted (or should I say invaded) by the racing tuk tuk drivers who jumped on boat the boat to ask if we needed a tuk tuk before we had even realised that we had arrived (welcome to Siem Reap!)
Having kindly asked them to give us a moment to get up to the top of the river bank we finally had the breathing space to negotiate a price to get us into the town (30 minute ride away) and we headed off with driver Sky on his slightly battered tuk tuk to meet our Air B n B host in town...Ankor Wat here we come!
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| Our boat from Battambang to Siem Reap |
We had blocked out a day for travel, so as we had the time to play with we agreed to book the boat (we did this via our hotel) and looked forward to however long the journey would be, as it would be at least be nice day relaxing on the river.
The boat left at 7am, so we met our resident taxi driver said he would take us to the jetty. We were almost hitting 7am and almost at the jetty when our driver turned around and informed us at some traffic lights that he had 'no gas' and couldn't get us the rest of the way. Luckily for us he had ran out within about 200m of the jetty so we didn't have to walk far, but with time running tight we had to sadly leave him stranded in the middle of the street!
We rocked up to the jetty and there was no boat but a truck which we were all to be squeezed into - luggage and all - and would be driving one hour to reach the boat. This we understood was because the water levels were too low. We became very well acquainted with our fellow passengers as we squeezed on board balancing on the metal edge of the truck side (where Chris was perched), a wooden plank against the cabin and a few spare tyres on the floor in the middle (where Julia and some of the other locals had plumped for).
 |
| All aboard...the truck! |
 |
| Getting cosy! |
The truck journey was longer than they had told us...closer to an hour and a half by the time we reached the village where we would board the boat. This meant we all had quite sore bums from the very narrow bumpy dirt track we had navigated for about 45 minutes to reach the village, and Chris' arms were scratched up from all the bushes lining the track. All part of the experience though, right?!
 |
| Walking the plank |
All aboard the boat we floated much more peacefully and comfortably down the river towards Siem Reap.
 |
| Settled down for what we expected to be 9 hours! |
The journey was beautiful, passing through floating villages a plenty and by the unique fishing contraptions that dominated the water.
 |
| One hell of a fishing net |
The villagers going about their daily chores and business as they leaned out of their silted homes to say hello as we floated on past.
 |
| Floating village life |
As we reached Tonle Sap Lake we knew we were almost there, and with the clock saying 2pm, the journey we realised had only taken us 7 hours. Not the 9-10 hours we had prepared ourselves for!
We were greeted (or should I say invaded) by the racing tuk tuk drivers who jumped on boat the boat to ask if we needed a tuk tuk before we had even realised that we had arrived (welcome to Siem Reap!)
 |
| Race of the tuk tuk drivers |
Having kindly asked them to give us a moment to get up to the top of the river bank we finally had the breathing space to negotiate a price to get us into the town (30 minute ride away) and we headed off with driver Sky on his slightly battered tuk tuk to meet our Air B n B host in town...Ankor Wat here we come!
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