The atmospheric journey through the wetlands of the Tonlé Sap Lake to reach this village on stilts is a memorable experience. With its floating tethered animal pens, pagoda, fishermen, and gentle pace of life, Kompong Phhluk offers an authentic insight into life on the great lake. Visitors can take in the activities of a typical village – local women selling vegetables on the decks of long-tail boats and school children returning home with the aid of a paddle and boat; tired sightseers can stop for  refreshments at a stilted restaurant that serves local food. It is also possible to visit the vast blue of the Tonlé Sap Lake on a boat, and follow up with a swim in the gnarled, flooded forest – an eerie but exhilarating experience as swimmers  must wade through inky darkness. Alternatively, visitors can go out on to the lake in a canoe on their own. The village can be reached either from Roluos, 3 miles (5 km) to the north, or Chong Kneas, although it is easier to take an organized tour.