|
DEPARTURE
DATES:
-
Sep:
22
-
Oct:
11, 25
-
Nov:
8, 22
-
Dec:
6, 20
-
Jan:
3, 17, 31
-
Feb
2010: 14, 28
-
Mar
2010: 14, 28
-
April
2010: 11, 25
Day
1: SIEM REAP - TONLE LAKE
The great lake dominates Cambodia and is over 150 Km in
length. Here bird life is profuse, and from the middle
of the lake one cannot even see the shores. There is a
great stillness and tranquility as we pass floating
fishing villages. Because the water levels of the lake
and river vary a great deal according to the time of
year and rainfall. During High water level,
approximately July to November, we register at 11:00 at
Angkor Palace Hotel to transfer to the ship at Siem Reap
Port. Embark the ship at 13:00 and lunch onboard. Cross
the Tonle Lake in the afternoon and drop anchor after
sunset at the edge of the Great Lake. During low water
level, approximately November to July, register at 11:00
at Angkor palace Hotel to transfer via coach to Preak
Kdam on the Tonle River. Enjoy a light lunch and cold
drinks on the way with a stop in Kampong Thom. Arrive by
16:00 and cruise to kampong Chhanang for overnight
mooring.
Day
2: KAMPONG CHHNANG - KAMPONG CHAM
Kampong Chhanang is a bustling rural port town with busy
markets. Mooring mid-stream, we make a truly wonderful
motor excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the
mouth of the river. Here a stunning variety of birdlife
may be seen and of considerable interest are the great
fish traps, some half a kilometer long, which nets a
huge tonnage of fish after each monsoon as the fish
migrate from the falling lake into the Tonle River. We
wind our way through jungle, and as the river narrows we
feel we can almost reach out and touch the houses and
people who come out to cheer our ship on. Temples abound
along the riverbanks, and we see the rich tapestry of
Cambodian rural life. We touch the capital of Phnom Penh
in the afternoon, change pilots and enter the Upper
Mekong bound for Kampong Cham and stop for an afternoon
walk at a rural village. Moor overnight bid-stream in
Kampong Cham.
Day
3: WAT HANCHEY - PHNOM PENH
Morning journey upriver to the hilltop pre-Angkorian
temple of Wat Hanchey. Dating from the 8th century,
these ancient brick structures characterize the
architecture of the Chenla Empire, which predated the
glories of Angkor. Sail back downstream over lunch for
an exploration of the Kampong Cham Area. We travel by
bus to the 12th century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor.
This colorful temple is unique in Cambodia, as a modern
Wat it is set within the ruins of an ancient temple. We
continue to the eco village of Cheungkok. We depart late
in the afternoon from Kampong Cham and head for Phnom
Penh. Overnight mid-stream in Phnom Penh.
Day
4: PHNOM PENH
Early morning cruise into Phnom Penh and dock at the
passenger port terminal. The capital of Cambodia retains
its French charm. The old colonial architecture makes an
attractive backdrop to busy cafes, and the renovated
river "corniche" is full of life. The city has
several impressive Wat's, including Wat Ounalom, Wat
Phnom and the newly painted Wat Lang Ka. Visit the Royal
Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda, one of the few
places in Cambodia where the Khmer Rouge preserved
artifacts embodying the brilliance and richness of Khmer
culture. The National Museum is another highlight, with
outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. An afternoon
excursion is arranged to the Killing Fields and the
Khmer Rouge?s grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention centre
situated in the suburbs of the city. On a happier note,
Phnom Penh has a vibrant Nightlife and same customers
chose to dine in one of the many top restaurants or try
one of the capitals many watering holes, which are
conveniently located along the riverfront.
Day
5: BORDER CROSSING
We cast off for a day cruising the Mekong River, an
international shipping route. Today we stop at Preak
Dach, a jungle village, to visit fruit orchards and then
set off for the Cambodian / Vietnamese border for the
border crossing formalities. Moor mid-stream in Tan
Chau.
Day
6: TAN CHAU - SADEC
Tan Chau is a remote small town on the main Mekong
River. After breakfast we transfer to small boats, visit
a cat fish farm and rice-polishing factory. We go ashore
to visit a mat-making workshop, and take a short walk in
the village to visit a silk coloring workshop. A trishaw
ride round this fascinating town takes us back to the
pier and after a short channel cruise on a local boat we
return to the ship for lunch and cast off for Sadec.
Day
7: SADEC - CAI BE
After Breakfast, small local boats will take us into the
village of Sadec for a refreshing morning stroll. French
writer Marguerite Duras spent some of her childhood in
Sa Dec, a sprawling busy town in the Mekong Delta. Aside
from the fact that the French have long departed, not a
lot has changed in Sa Dec since Duras' day. Warehouses,
mostly old Chinese shop-houses, bulge with merchandise.
Ancient riverboats load and unload at the wharves built
almost to the shop doors. We spent time in the house of
Mr. Huynh Thuy Le - the Chinese Lover of Marguerite. The
house now is a little museum of "The Lover" in
Sadec. We also visit the Pagoda on our way to the School
where Duras? mother taught. On the way back for lunch,
we cruise past the house where the movie ?THE LOVER? was
shot in 1992 and the ancient Church. Continue cruising
to Cai Be where after lunch we take a local Junk trip
around Cai Be to see the floating market, go ashore to
visit delightful flower gardens, the ancient Kiet House
and local rice paper manufacturers. Evening cruise to
Saigon.
Day
8: SAIGON
Early morning cruise into Ho Chi Minh City, formally
Saigon. We dock at the Saigon River Frontage. After
Breakfast disembarkation for transfer to your local
Hotel.
|
