Miracles are not out of the world

As a regular visitor to Thailand, I also enjoy visiting neighboring countries Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. During my last trip to Cambodia, due to Corona, it was already more than two years ago, I had to think of the regular blog column 'You experience all kinds of things in Thailand'. But in fact, Thailand is not alone in this.

During my stay in Cambodia in Siem Reap, I want to pay a visit to a Floating Village, something I have not done before. I have visited the beautiful Ankor Wat complex many times and this time it falls short. It is still something you must visit!

My visit is to the fishing village that floats on Tonlé Sap Lake and the boarding point of the boat to it is, I was told, about 15 kilometers from the center of Siem Reap.

Charter a tuk-tuk that takes me there and waits for me for an hour and a half for the return trip.

Arriving at the ticket office for the boats that sail to the village, I immediately let myself be fooled, because for USD 35 I can only get a private boat. Apparently I am the only non-group visitor. Let me be tricked, rather let me be taken in the boat. Literally and figuratively.

It really is a nice trip and enjoy the activity on the banks.

Arriving near the floating fishing village I hear from the boatswain that he cannot sail any further due to the much too low water level and that I have to transfer to a smaller boat to get to the village. And .. yes, if I just want to pay thirty dollars for that.

I have already spotted that small boat out of the corner of my eye in the vicinity.

Woops: Joseph explodes and orders the villain to immediately turn around and return to the boarding point to claim back my money for the ticket.

Miracles from the Old Testament such as turning water into wine and the Lord Jesus walking on the water I have always read with a smile and referred to the land of fables. But now I'm starting to have doubts, because after my fierce outburst and bewildered look towards boatswain, the MIRACLE follows! From one beat to the next the water rises and my boat sets course for the houses around floating village. The miracles are far from out of the world.

When the cruise is over and I'm back at the starting point, the tuk-tuk man is waiting for me and has a question. Two ladies who also visited there have no transport back to Siem Reap and I asked if I have no objection to taking both back with me. It turns out to be two charming Italian ladies that I can't refuse. Make an agreement that on the way back we want to make a short stop at an inn that I saw on the way there.

We will do that at a fantastically beautifully situated pond lush with lotus flowers and a tavern where we can drink a cup of coffee. There is a very small entrance fee to be paid, but the view over the pond and the floral splendor is phenomenal. After enjoying this truly unique lotus opulence, we continue to Siem Reap; I go to my hotel and the two ladies are neatly driven home. Would my charming company on the way back have been a godsend?

You never know. Miracles are not out of the world!