“Sea of the Viennese”.

Due to its location, the lake offers perfect conditions for sailing and windsurfing. But the “Sea of the Viennese” as we like to call it (it’s only about 45 kilometres from the capital city), has more to offer than just water sports. The most western steppe lake in Europe provides a natural habitat for a unique diversity of flora, fauna and wild life. Since 2001, the region around lake Neusiedl is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All of that makes it a special location worth visiting.

Often Underestimated.

Lake Neusield is very often underestimated. Yes, it’s not surrounded by imposing mountain landscape, it doesn’t offer cute little towns right next to the lake like Hallstatt (even though the town Rust for example is very charming), and some might even find the brown colour of the water disturbing. But as said, don’t underestimate it!

Almost the entire lake is surrounded by reeds, which serve as a habitat for wildlife, making the lake an important resting place for migratory birds. The region is actually known for its bird species-richness and some even say it’s one of the most exciting bird paradises in Europe. Equip yourself with a pair of Swarovski Optik CL Pocket 10 x 25 binoculars, a wind-proof jacket and some hiking boots and you’re pretty much ready to go.

Sailing is one of the main reasons people come to Lake Neusield in Austria.

There are several sailing schools around Lake Neusiedl, for beginners and experts.

Reed around Lake Neusiedl in Austria.

Swarovski CL Pocket 8 x 25 Binoculars.

After an action filled programme, Seerestaurant Katamaran in Rust is a great place to finish off the day.

Seerestaurant Katamaran in Rust is especially beautiful at sunset, sitting on the terrace and enjoying a good meal with a nice glass of wine.

What do you need to get up there?

First you have to look for a tour company, since its forbidden to visit individually (we were not fond of this of course). We found a travel agent at the right end of the main square in Gangtok, where we had to apply for a ‘visitor permission’ – this must be done the day before you travel. What that meant was that we needed 3 (!!!) passport photos, our passports, one passport copy, a copy of our Indian visa, as well as a copy of the arrival stamp … typically bureaucratic Indian style. Anyway, in case you don’t have all these things together, the travel company will guide you to a photo shop to get the passport photos and the copies for very little money.

Besides all the permits you obviously also need a car … We met an Indian/American couple who wanted to take the same route, which was great because we could share the car. For 4 people we paid 4.000 Rupees (for 2 people, we would have paid 3.500 Rupees, so it’s better to find some others).

You’re not alone.

The travel agent the also has to apply for a permit on the day of travelling. This means that you’ll start around 8.00 am at the earliest. Even though the weather wasn’t really good on our travelling day, there was quite a lot of traffic up to Lake Tsongmo and our guide only got the permit at 9.30 am. We were car number 343 and realized immediately that it wouldn’t be a trip to a remote location as we thought beforehand…

The distance up to Lake Tsongmo is about 40 km and takes approx. two hours from Gangtok. Sometimes it’s a stop and go situation because of the heavy traffic.

Check-Points:

• All cars need to pass a check-point up the pass before 11.00 am.
• Cars can only drive back to Gangtok after 2.00 pm.

The reason behind the check-point is the narrow and steep road. Cars can only drive in one direction, otherwise dangerous situations could occur. But of course, there are exceptions; military trucks can drive as they please…

The weather.

The weather condition is very changeable up North. Most of the times it’s very foggy – as it was when we where up there. As soon as we approached higher grounds, the fog got thicker and ticker and there were moments when we couldn’t even see the car in front of us any more.

After we finally reached the parking lot, we realized that the area was packed with people – mainly Indians on vacation. Up at 3.753 meters it was freezing cold, so be sure to dress accordingly. In case you do forget to bring warm cloths, you can buy down jackets, scarf and gloves in one of the shops.

The fog only lifted for a couple of minutes while we were up there and we could see the lake for a short time. But the view was definitely worth all the hassle.

The famous lake in the East of Sikkim is know by many names. Commonly tourists refer to the lake as Changu. Other versions of the name include Tsongo Lake.

The Lake Tsongmo remains frozen throughout the winter up to April end. Snowfall is also common in this area even during the summer months.

Lake Tsongmo is considered extremely sacred by the local people. The place is a paradise for bird lovers with large number of Blue Whistling Thrush, Redstarts and Forktails around.

Tsongmo Lake has perhaps one of the most beautiful landscapes in Sikkim. On the Gangtok – Nathu La highway.

In Bhutia language, the literal meaning of ‘Tsomgo’ is ‘source of the lake’. In fact, the etymology tells that ‘Tso’ means ‘lake and ‘Mgo’ means head.

Workers up at Nathu La Pass near Lake Tsongmo in Sikkim.

Up at Nathu La Pass near Lake Tsongmo in Sikkim.

Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia and of great importance to Cambodia. It’s a bit more unusual than “normal” lakes: Its flow changes direction twice a year and the portion that forms the lake expands and shrinks dramatically with the seasons. This is why entire villages are dismantled due to the season and the waterline of the lake. Therefore most villages around the Great Lake have adjusted by living in so called “floating villages” on boats. They are home to a large Vietnamese & Cham community and they managed to adapt very well to the lake’s seasonal changes.

So, whether it’s the school or rubbish dump, living room or local store – the boat it not only the main transport system but also the grounding for every resident.

Chong Khneas is the name of famous floating village at the edge of the lake. It takes a 30-minute-car-ride  from Siem Reap to the boat dock where boats wait for visitors any given time of the day. The boat trip through the floating village takes approximately two hours. Be aware though, it’s total rip off! I’d never ever do it again, since this really is the worse I have ever experienced! Back when we visited the first time (over 10 years ago), the area wasn’t owned by a private company like today, therefore the floating village was still unique…sad to see what happened to this place!

Family life on Tonle Sap Lake. Five provinces circled the area of Tonle Sap Lake, more than three million of population inhabited around the bank of the Lake and 90% of them earn a living by catching fish and making agricultures.

Tonle Sap Lake is also an important commercial resource, providing more than half of the fish consumed in Cambodia.

Chong Khneas is the name of famous floating village at the edge of the lake. It locates at Southern part of Siem Reap town about 15 Km, and takes only 30 minutes by vehicles to the boat dock where there are always boats waiting for visitors. The boat trip through the floating village takes approximately two hours. Be aware, it’s TOTAL RIP OFF!

During rainy season from June to October, Tonle Sap Lake is filled by water flowing from the Mekong with 14 m in depth and expands the surface of 10.000 km2.

In dry season from November to May the size of Tonle Sap lake is 3.000 km2 with two meters in depth and water flows out from the Lake to the Mekong, in and out flowing is the natural phenomenon occurrences.

Chong Khneas was very interesting before, but now region is owned by private firm they increased the prices and the area looks very commercial.

The boat trip usually includes two stops: one at a touristy floating ‘fish and bird exhibition’ with a souvenir and snack shop, and the other at the Gecko Environment Centre, which offers displays and information introducing the ecology and biodiversity of the lake area.

During our first visit to Tonle Sap lake (over ten years ago), the floating village was still a really impressive sight. Today, it’s just a another tourist trap.

Unlike much of the Cambodian job opportunities, the income is also reliable, but life on the water is difficult. Fishermen sometimes travel two days to reach the middle of the lake and spend up to a week at a time out fishing. Large waves, limited food and dangerous conditions take their toll. The life expectancy of a fisherman is 54 years.

Because the water levels of Tonle Sap Lake differ so drastically in dry and rainy season, fishing families who make their living on the lake began living in floating villages which move with the changing water levels.

Tonle Sap Lake is so big, it can easily be mistaken for the ocean.

It’s really interesting to watch the people fishing there. They are so calm and concentrated while waiting for their next catch.

Working in the rice fields near Lake Loktak in Manipur.

This ancient lake Loktak plays an important role in the economy of Manipur. It serves as a source of water for hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply.

Lake Loktak is also a source of livelihood for the rural fisherman who live in the surrounding areas and on phumdis, also known as “phumshongs”.

A fishing woman greeted us with a friendly smile.

A local store right next to Lake Loktak offers all you need – fresh water & few snacks.