Cambodia - Post 2

My original plan was to stay in Cambodia for 2 nights and 3 days then go to Hua Hin, a beach town just outside of Bangkok, for the next couple days. That plan was short-lived. I ended up staying in Siem Reap, Cambodia for 4 nights. On the last day in Siem Reap, we were at a loss of what to do. Our passes to see the temples were expired, and we had already exhausted all of the hot spots in the downtown area. There were two exciting options: boat tour of the "floating forest" or a boat tour of the "floating village." Both of these sounded cool, but the floating village was less expensive- decision made!

A tuk-tuk driver from the hotel took us 30 minutes outside the city to the boat dock, where we departed for our adventure.

First, we were swindled into buying drinks before we got on the boat. (-$2)

Once on the boat, our guide (who was 14, by the way) warned us that the village people would see us coming, jump in their boats, and try to sell us things. Next thing we were bombarded by a stealth boat, from which a 5 year old girl jumped into our boat with a basket of drinks. These drinks were more expensive, of course. (-$4)

Then our guide asked us if we wanted to see the floating school. We said yes. He told us that since the school doesn't have any funding, it would be rude to visit without gifts. We stopped at a "store" where bundles of notebooks and pencils sat.
"You both should buy a pack of notebooks."
"Sure, how much?" I asked
"$15 each," he replied.
"How much for the pencils...?" (-$10)

We dropped by the floating school and, very awkwardly, gave the 20 pencils to the teacher for her 50 student class.

On the return, more boats approached us, trying to sell us drinks, postcards, and even pictures with a large python a child had around his neck. We refused. We were already down $16.

Upon our arrival to the dock, the guide asked for a tip for him and the driver. I couldn't refuse. I just spent $10 on a bundle of pencils, and he was a pretty good tour guide. (-$8)

That's enough, I thought. This is costing more than my travel to and from Cambodia.

As we were approaching our tuk-tuk to take us back to the hotel, a girl said, "Lady! Mister! You want? 5 Dollars."

We turned to see...



Not knowing how these were taken, how they were made during our short 45 minute boat trip, I had to buy them.

And the grand total of swindled money...... $34.