Day
1: SAIGON
Welcome onboard the RV La Marguerite where the vessel is
moored at the Saigon port. Saigon, now known as Ho Chi
Minh City, is peppered with old French colonial
architecture along the riverside. Check-in is at 12h00
where port and immigration formalities will be
conducted. After checking in, freshen up and enjoy the
fascinating views of the Saigon River either from your
private balcony or from the sun deck. At 14h00, the ship
departs Saigon sailing through the international
waterways, up the broad Mekong Tributary. Tonight join
fellow passengers onboard for Welcome Dinner at the
Mekong Restaurant.
Day
2: CAI BE - SA DEC
Arriving at Cai Be in the morning, early risers could
enjoy crimson sunrise on the sun deck. After breakfast,
sail through Cai Be's floating market, go ashore to
visit the French Gothic Cathedral, colorful flower
gardens and local rice paper manufacturers. Cruise past
Vinh Long Province and arrive at Sa Dec for an afternoon
walk. French writer Marguerite Duras spent some of her
childhood in Sa Dec, a sprawling busy town. In Sa Dec,
director Jean-Jaques Annaud shot much of his 1992 film
"The Lover". 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. Both the school where Duras' mother taught and
the small house behind it where the family lived still
stand. Spend time in the house of Mr Huynh Thuy Le,
Duras' Chinese lover. The house is now the "The
Lover Museum" in Sadec. In the evening, cruise
through the Mekong Delta to Tan Chau.
Day
3: TAN CHAU - BORDER CROSSING
Tan Chau is a remote small town on the main Mekong
River. After breakfast, transfer to small boats visit a
catfish farm, rice-polishing factory, mat making
workshop and a silk weaving workshop. Take a round trip
trishaw ride around this fascinating town. We return to
the ship by boat for lunch and cast off for the
Cambodian border for port and immigration formalities.
In the evening, cruise up the broad Mekong River, an
international shipping route and moor overnight
mid-stream just outside of Phnom Penh.
Day
4: PHNOM PENH
Early morning cruise into Phnom Penh and dock at the
passenger port terminal. This capital of Cambodia
retains its French charm with old colonial architecture
framing busy cafes. The city has several impressive
Wats, 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 center.
Day
5: PHNOM PENH - KAMPONG CHAM
Early morning departs from Phnom Penh and stop at
secluded Chong Koh silk weaving village for a leisurely
walk. Cruise past the Mekong's timeless villages with
extensive fishing activities. The scenery is serene, and
in the distance, forested hills rise. On the river above
Phnom Penh there is real Cambodian life. In the
afternoon, stop at Peam Chi Kang village to visit the
Wat or Monastery and its school. Explore this peaceful
and friendly community at your own pace. In the Wat,
splendid village racing boats are stored. Anchor
mid-stream at Kampong Cham.
Day
6: KAMPONG CHAM AREA
In the morning, journey upriver to the hilltop.
Pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Dating back to the
8th century, these ancient brick structures characterize
the architecture of the Chenla Empire, which predated
the glories of Angkor. Sail back downstream for an
exploration of the Kampong Cham Area. 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.
Continue to the Eco Village of Cheungkok. There are many
pagodas and shrines on the hilltops.
Day
7: TONLE RIVER
Sail along Tonle River, which connects Tonle Lake with
the Mekong and Bassac Rivers at Phnom Penh. Winding
through the jungles, coming up close with local river
folks. Temples abound along the riverbanks at Kampong
Chhnang and we witness a rich tapestry of Cambodian
rural life. This is a busy rural port town with bustling
markets. Mooring mid-stream, visit lakeside wetlands
that form the mouth of the river. Here a stunning
variety of bird life are seen and be amazed at the
schools of fish migrating from the lake into the Tonle
River.
Day
8: TONLE LAKE - SIEM REAP
The great lake over 150 km long, dominates Cambodia.
Here bird life is profuse. From the middle of the lake,
enjoy the stillness and tranquility along the floating
fishing villages. And we will either cross Tonle Lake at
dawn and disembark at Siem Reap Port or transfer by
coach from Prek Kdam on the Tonle River to Siem Reap
stopping for a short rest at Kampong Thom, depending on
the water levels. Arrive at Siem Reap and bid farewell
to fellow travelers and crew members.
