Captain’s Log: Week 13
April 1, 2026
Overview
As we hit the peak of the dry season, the landscape of the Tonle Sap is shifting beautifully. While the water levels have receded, it has opened up brand-new ways for our guests to experience the “Great Lake.” This week has been defined by a successful transition in our Kompong Phluk operations and a massive surge in interest for our deep-lake expeditions.
Highlights & Operations
Kompong Phluk | The Sailing Season Begins With the water dropping to its seasonal lows, the traditional “flooded forest” is now largely dry. However, this has allowed us to launch our Kompong Phluk sail boat tours along the very edges of the Tonle Sap.
The Experience: Instead of the usual forest canopy, guests are now enjoying the wide-open horizons of the lake’s edge.
New Route: These sailing tours have become a fantastic replacement for the forest treks, offering a peaceful, wind-driven perspective of the stilted village “skyscrapers” which now stand tall above the exposed ground.
Prek Toal & The Queen Tara It has been a busy week for our flagship, the Queen Tara. We’ve had a steady stream of tours heading out to the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary.
Overnight Stays: There is a growing trend of guests wanting the full immersion. Our overnight stays on the Queen Tara are nearly at capacity, as travelers realize that being stationed right in the heart of the biosphere is the only way to catch the “golden hour” for birdwatching at first light.
Eco-Comfort: The 100% solar-powered systems are humming along perfectly, providing 24-hour power and cool breezes for our overnight guests even in the April heat.
Commander’s Notes
The transition to sailing tours at Kompong Phluk has been seamless. It’s a testament to how we adapt to the lake’s pulse—where others see “low water,” we see a new way to sail. The feedback from the Prek Toal overnighters has been exceptional; there’s nothing quite like waking up to the sound of the sanctuary before the day-trip boats arrive.
Onward to Week 14.