26th June Siem reap Battambang 05:30 and we are leaving Siem moving on to Battambang via boat on the River Sangker passing floating villages of ChongKneas. The bus takes us to the local Marina,mmh lots of wooden boats that look like they will never float guess what?? Yeah we are on one of them as we climb over 3/4 to get to our sea fairing machine our bags are dumped on the back and we are off down the river. There are only 6 of us on board so should be nice comfy trip.. Our first stop before even leaving the marina is to pick up some engine parts and fuel. The engine is massive and takes up most of the stern. very noisy !! As we make our way out to the Lake Tonle Sap . we stop to pick up locals their houses are built on stilts on the river bank. The little children wave as they see Tourist on the boat. We have now collected another 6 locals and seating is getting tight the day is hotting up. We stop on the Lake to change the Prop Shaft the boat boy jumps into the river fully clothed hammer and prop in hand disappears for about 5 mins prop changed climbs back on boat dripping wet and all over the seated tourist... The lake is very shallow skipper takes his time through the what look likes lilly pads. There are fisherman out on their boats throwing in nets and just hauling in the fish so obviously plenty there. We have crossed the lake and heading back up the River Shangker mmh now the problems start the engine has broken the fan belts are slipping. OK the boy takes them off and changes them prietty quickly, and we are off again only to repeat the exercise in 10mins time.. As we drift back down the river we have only progressed a short way now this is happening with regularity. We stop for lunch amazes me how people jump off the boat to be fed with filth and stench and rubbish all around them. Boat fixed again we are off. NO it stops again this time the crew have learnt to jump off the boat to save us from drifting down stream. Good Move.. The skipper now runs of up the bank and retruns 5mins later with another 2 new FAN BELTS where from who knows?? This trip was only supposed to take 5/6 hrs in low waters in took us 9hrs. We wouldnt have missed it for the WORLD!! Lovely people and a great days entertainment..