REAM NATIONAL PARK (Day 21 - part 1)

We went on a day tour to Ream National Park. We took a taxi down to the beach, then hopped on a minivan.

Preah Sihanouk Ream National Park was established in 1993. The park covers 81 square miles, 58 of it of land and 23 of it of water. It includes rivers, forests, mangroves, estuaries, beaches, coral reefs, two islands, and all the creatures that live here.

Our boat ride would take us from the black dot (the town of Phum Smach Daeng), down the river (Prek Teuk Sap), and to the red dot (Thma Thom Beach).

We followed a shaky swaying wooden walkway, then waited while they desperately tried to get the motor started. Eventually we were able to board and be on our way.

We passed mangrove and palm shores, a variety of birds, jumping fish, and people working the river. It was hard to see this as a protected national park with the amount of fishing and crab traps about.

A heron stalks a meal ..... A rhesus macaque is scared off by the loud sound of our boat.

Stuck on a sand bank during low tide. Apparently the river is mostly shallow and we have to follow channels.

We left the river and into the estuary where fresh water meets the sea.

At Thma Thom Beach, we waded through knee high warm, clear water to get to shore.

I wandered along the beach, enjoying the tide pools and its various creatures.

Shrimp .... crab

return • continue