The capital of the kingdom of Chenla, the origin of the Khmer Empire. Headed to Kampong Thom. Sambor Frey Cook means “temple of riches in the forest.” There are about 100 ancient temples left. These temples were built in the 6th century long before the Angkor Wat we know.

As you enter the entrance, you will see the Prasat Frey, a temple surrounded by tree roots. Temples left in this rainforest were listed as World Heritage Sites in 2017.

“At that time the state religion (in the Chenra kingdom) was Hindu. At that time, I worshiped not one god, but many gods. ”

All other Hindu gods are enshrined in the temple. The temple has a statue with a broken face and arms, and is said to be the Hindu god, Shiva. The idol is something unusual here.

“This god is called Harihara. The Harihara god is not a traditional Cambodian god. It's a mix of cultures. ”

Hari means "shiba," which means "Vishnu," while the left side represents Vishnu. When you enter the forest, the Prasat Tao Lion Temple appears. A lion represents peace and a mane stands up for war.

In 802 Jayavarman II reinvented the Khmer Empire, reclaiming the territory that had been taken from Java. In the construction of this temple, he hoped to become the god of land and water in the region after death. Because of this, people are said to have served him as a god after his death.

“I prayed to the god of the earth and the god of water. He is the god who manages the forests and the rivers of this land. ”

The peculiarity of the great temples is the use of bricks. The reliefs on the walls are also bricks and sculptures that were built before Angkor Wat by large sandstone.

"It's amazing and touching that our ancestors made these things."
“This place is listed as a World Heritage Site. I am proud as a Cambodian. ”

Born here, the Khmer empire moves its capital near Lake Tonlesaf. It is there that you will meet the splendid heyday of the Khmer Empire. One of the reasons the Khmer empire flourished was the presence of Lake Tonlesaf and its fertile land nearby. I headed to the dock to meet the floating villagers.

"How long does it take to get to the water village?"
"Five villages go in five minutes, but the inner village should go about an hour."

Tonlesaf Lake is said to be three times larger in dry and wet seasons. For this reason, the house on the water must be moved for the coming rainy season. As I enter the village, I see a house being moved.

It's not easy to get there for an interview. If the boat hits the house, the house will collapse quickly. Turn the boat and go back. Poor families live too poorly.

"Where are you going?"
"Up there."
"Move often?"
“I move about three times a year.”

Most villagers live on fish. It is said that they will move the house first to a good place for farming, and then move the farm. I have visited the biggest house among them.

"Hi?"
"Hi. welcome."

It's a baby alligator. Crocodile farming is said to be more profitable than fish farming. There was a reason it looked like a good house somehow. The child touching the crocodile looks a bit dangerous.

"Aren't crocodiles bite?"
"It's okay, I don't ask."

I'm brave.

“One week old chicks. I still have small teeth so it doesn't hurt to ask. ”

All the wild crocodiles that lived in Tonle Sap Lake have disappeared, and only farm crocodiles remain an important source of income.

“I raised crocodiles long before I was born. My mother took over and I took over again. ”

They feed about once a week, but don't worry because Tonle Saf Lake has abundant fish.

"I used to grow crocodiles in the woods, but now I'm raising them like this."

I had something to show and followed.

"When the rainy season, we take the crocodiles to us."

In the breeding season, crocodiles can be transferred to cages on land for laying eggs. This is a hatchery, and soon a baby crocodile is born.

“After 70 days in the soil, it hatches. At that time, I hear the crocodiles crying. ”

There is already a baby crocodile. But the rest of the eggs do not show signs of coming out.

"Now you have to help the crocodile come out of the egg."

Oh, I understand now. One baby crocodile is being taken out of the egg.

“Originally, the mother helps when the baby is crying in the egg.”

It's like throwing eggs, but it's amazing that the crocodile comes from inside. This child is really scared.

"pretty."

I heard a crocodile cry for a while. I'm looking at one egg. Will it be bitten? Suddenly my body tickles.

"I'm going to wash and raise a baby alligator."

Chanta is married to her husband, who lived in the same water village, and lives with three sons, two daughters, and parents. That's why he never went outside the lake.

“My parents and I have lived here as well. This is my husband's house. I don't have any plans.

The living room has turned into a fishing spot.

"Can you catch me well?"
"Sometimes I get caught, sometimes not."

I waited a while until I got caught, but there was no news.

"Stop it?"
"I'll go over there."

It seems to avoid me without fish clothes. So not followed. Tonlesaf has been a source of Cambodian life for many years.