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Put the mythical Southeast Asian Angkor ( Siem Rea) and
Saigon side by side and you have a meeting of two countries
divided by an invisible line at the river. But the line becomes
real when you compare their very different cultures, landscapes
and pace of life. After the impressive pastoral riverbanks of
Cambodia, we arrive in the "Land of the Nine Dragons", the rice
granary of Vietnam. We are constantly struck by the hectic pace of
life in this country as we pass houses over fish rearing pens in Chau Doc, the boat yards of Long Xuyen, Marguerite Duras' hometown
of Sa Dec, the aquatic gardens of Vinh Long, the floating market
in Cai Be, the temples, pagodas, brickworks, then the trawlers of
My Tho, before dropping anchor at the nostalgic port of Saigon.
Day 1 - Sunday: Siem Reap – Chnok Tru
At 13:30 crossing the Tonlé Sap Lake for meeting the
Toum Tiou anchored near Chnok Tru. Welcome on board of the Toum
Tiou. Security briefing. After that welcome drink and info
meeting about cruise, crew introduction. Welcome dinner and stay
overnight onboard.
Day 2 - Monday: Chnok Tru – Kompong Chnang
Visit biggest floating village on the Tonlé Sap River.
Lunch on board on the way to Kampong Chnang. At 16:00 arrival at
Kampong Chnang. The town of Kampong Chnang is one of the largest
fishing ports on the Tonlé Sap. Fish farming is also widely
practiced in the area. At 18:00 passengers re-embark and The
Toum Tiou drops anchor few miles away. Dinner and stay overnight
onboard.
Day 3 - Tuesday: Kompong Tralach – Phnom Penh
Sail to Kampong Tralach early in the morning, breakfast
during navigation. After arriving at Kampong Tralach, visit its
wonderful Vihara belonging to Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To
get to it, we cross Kampong Tralach Krom village along a small
road perpendicular to the river, crossing some gorgeous
stretches of emerald rice paddy as we leave the river behind. At
14:00 arrival in Phnom Penh. Balance of the day free exploration
on own. Suggestions can be made up on the interest of
passengers. FCC, Russian market, other boutiques (antiques),
etc.
Day 4 - Wednesday: Phnom Penh
After having breakfast, departure for the “KILLING
FIELDS” - Tuol Sleng Museum, old center of detention, of torture
and execution between 1975 and 1979. The visit is essential to
understand what could be the fatal madness perpetrated by the
Khmer Rouges. At 12.00 return to Phnom Penh, lunch in a local
restaurant. After that half day city sightseeing tour including
the Royal Palace and National Museum. At 19:00 return to the
boat, local group performs on board traditional “APSARA” show
for 45 minutes.
Day 5 - Thursday: Kôh Dek Chau – Chau Doc (Vietnam)
At 09:00 arrival at Kôh Dek Chau island, A short break
along the way, it allows to get a fascinating, close-up look at
daily life in Cambodia. At 10:30 re-embarking, departure for
Kaam Samnaar (Cambodian border). At 14:00 Toum Tiou arrives at
Immigration check point in Kaam Samnaar. Clearance of departure
formalities. After that departure for Chau Doc. At 19:00 Toum
Tiou drops anchor before the canal of Chau Doc.
Day 6 – Friday: Chau Doc – Vinh Long
At 08:00 arrival at Victoria Hotel Chau Doc jetty.
Located to the north at the beginning of Mekong's famous delta,
Chau Doc straddles both banks of the Mekong which fans out to
the dimensions of a river mouth here. Floating fish farms have
sprung up everywhere. Despite their sometimes strong odors, the
parts of town offer wonderful photo opportunities... This is the
perfect timing to discover the effervescence of the local
market. At 17:00 arrival at Sa Dec – Short panoramic tour of Sa
Dec and transfer by bus to Trung Vuong primary school.
Continuing to Kien An Cung Pagoda. Stroll around Sa Dec Market
along Sa Dec River bank. At 19:00 return to the boat, departure
for Vinh Long.
Day 7 - Saturday: Vinh Long - Cai Be – My Tho
At 08:30 arrival at Vinh Long, local boats pick up
passengers for visiting a brick and pottery factory, the Binh
Hoa Phuoc Islet Nursery of Fruit Trees as well as typical house
and a show room of traditional farming tools. After that
departure for Cai Be Floating Market – going across the Mekong
River en route. At 11:30 Toum Tiou leaves Cai Be for My Tho,
lunch during navigation.
At
14:30 arrival at My Tho and transfer to the mainland. Departure
for Vinh Trang Pagoda by car - Short panoramic tour on the way.
At 15:30 you will cruise on the river to Thoi Son Island by
local boat to visit the island, explore local people’s daily
life and enjoy locally seasonal fruits. At 16:30 Toum Tiou
leaves My Tho for Saigon. Leisure on board while navigating on
the marvelous canal of Cho Gao. At 19:00 farewell cocktail with
Master of Ship & Cruise Manager. Captain’s farewell dinner.
Overnight on board.
Day 8 -
Sunday: My Tho – Saigon
At 07:00 departure for Saigon, breakfast and leisure on
board. At 11:00 Toum Tiou arrives at Saigon port – customs
formalities clearance. |
