|
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.
|
