Continued...
We finally convinced our guide that we really did want to go to Tonle Sap, and set off. He was still very insistent that we go shopping, and we finally relented, not really knowing what sort of shop it would be.
Luckily the shop was on the way. It was a high end shop with lots of expensive jewellery, silk ties, ornaments etc. Yeah, it was right up our alley
We literally did one lap of the shop and walked out again.
We continued on towards the lake. It was a longish drive, right to the other side of town. On the way I was amazed at all the houses on massive stilts along the river. Some were even in the floodplain, and I wondered how people got into them during the wet season!
Eventually we arrived at the boat dock, and our guide organised a boat for us. The boats were very basic, just a few folding chairs set up along the sides, and it was just us and the guide (and the driver of course!).
I enjoyed the scenery along the way, and it was nice sitting in the shade of the boat with a nice breeze.
The boat ride was about 20-30 minutes, and soon we were approaching the floating village.
The guide pointed out the school.
We stopped at kind of a tourist store kind of place. One on platform there was quite a large gift shop, and on the other platform there was a bit of a farm with some fish and crocodiles. I really felt for the poor old crocodiles, about half a dozen of them cooped up in a tiny little hollow. What a life to lead until you are big enough to be skinned and made into a wallet huh?
Needless to say, we did not buy any crocodile products from the gift shop. In fact, the only thing we bought were some drinks.
Our guide pointed out the stairway to the 'roof' of the shop, where there were some great views over the whole floating village.
Then it was time to head back.
On the boat ride back, we saw more of the amazing stilt houses.
I've heard about (and seen some pictures of) amazing Cambodian sunrises and sunsets, and really had my heart set on experiencing one on this trip. I had actually thought we would be a bit longer out on the lake, and was hoping to see the sunset from there. Unfortunately we were far too early, and that was the full itinerary for today. I wanted to ask the guide to take us to the hill where we were supposed to watch the sunset on the previous day, but I was so sure I'd be shot down, I didn't even bother to ask.
We kind of discussed tipping on the way back to the hotel. I felt very awkward about the whole thing, as I was sure our guide would be expecting a large tip, but I really felt like he hadn't even deserved his pay! On the other hand, I really wanted to give the driver a tip. We ended up deciding that I would tip the driver, and DH would be in charge of tipping the guide. I gave the driver all the Cambodian money we had left (which would have been a grand total of about $3.50). DH said he gave the guide a similar amount in USD.
Anyway, back at the hotel, we decided that we wanted to check out one of the markets that night before dinner. We took a tuk-tuk into town for US $1. We spent an hour or so wandering around the market. We haven't really done much shopping on other trips, and I actually enjoyed the experience.
DH was just finalising one of his purchases when the power went out! It was dark by then, and we were right in the middle of the market, so we couldn't see a thing! It obviously happened quite a lot as most of the shop owners started bringing out torches/lanterns and just kept doing business as usual. We felt like that was as good a time as any to finish up our shopping expedition and head back to the street, where at least there was light from vehicles, and some places had back up generators.
We thought about eating at one of the many restaurants in the area, but we had told our waiter back at the hotel that we would see him on our last night, and didn't want to disappoint him. In hindsight, we could have had dinner in town then gone to the hotel restaurant just for drinks.
We hailed a tuk-tuk, and haggled the driver down to US $2 for the drive back to the hotel (it was a cheaper rate into town because the hotel had a deal with some local tuk-tuk drivers).
We went straight up for dinner. Lykhon was pleased to see us and, knowing that it was our last night, we exchanged facebook details. He offered to take us out to a few of his favourite bars once he had finished his shift. Still not feeling the best, I thought I'd better not. But DH was keen on the idea.
So after dinner we went back to our room, and I went to bed while DH got ready for an evening out. He went to have some more drinks at the hotel until Lykhon was ready. Unfortunately we only had one room key (which also powered our electricity), which DH took with him. We figured I wouldn't need lights while I was asleep, but we forgot about the air-con! It was only a couple of hours later I woke up feeling like I was roasting, and had to call reception to see if I could get another key. Luckily it was not a problem, and I slept comfortably the rest of the night.
Served me right. 
At least you did the quieter temples that day. I loved Preah Khan. So unique.
They did look nice and cool and quite practical for Cambodia, but I didn't buy any because I knew they would never see the light of day once we got home. I did buy a few maxi dresses in that same sort of material though 
They came in very handy over the next week or so.
Thanks.
Yeah I'm glad we managed to avoid that one too! Apparently they will also take you to the orphanage for the same sort of thing. The guidebook advised us to request not to go to the school or the orphanage, so I was quite glad to skip those.
we were finally checking in! Next was security and passport control, where there was no line and it took us about 5 minutes to get through both.
