Destinations

The Mekong Pandaw’s 8-Day journey connects three cities rich in history: Saigon, Phnom Penh (the Cambodian capital), and Siem Reap (famed for its World Heritage Sites).  If you are looking for a fast paced adventure, a cruise on the Mekong is not the best option.  Most the touring is done in the morning, and the afternoons (which are often oppressively hot) are spent on board the ship.  Bring a book and a camera and enjoy the scenery as you float peacefully along the river.  At night, be sure to head up to the top deck to catch the stars.

The first stop on the cruise is Cai Be.  I highly suggest booking a private boat to take you early in the morning to see the floating market.  Before crossing the border into Cambodia, you will visit a Cham tribal village.  This village (along with Chong Koh) is famous for its handmade scarves.  US Dollars can be used in both Vietnam and Cambodia, so be sure to bring some small bills with you.

Phnom Penh’s French charm is still readily apparent in its busy cafes and lively nightlife. If you’ve been looking to send some emails about your amazing trip down the Mekong, this is the place…there are plenty of internet cafes!  The city has several impressive wats (temples), but if you are interested in history, an afternoon excursion can be arranged to the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention centre situated in the suburbs of the city.

After leaving Phnom Penh, you will have the chance to visit some local villages, monasteries, wats (temples), a school and an orphanage.  It is important to remember not to give money or gifts directly to the locals, which can directly affect their economy (no begging as in Siem Reap). If you would like to contribute something, you can always purchase their goods and give money directly to the school and/or orphanage.

Lastly, you will sail up the Tonle River, which connects to Tonle Lake, the final destination of the cruise.  (This is where you may get a little seasick–with the winds on the large lake, the flat bottom ship can rock a bit.)  Depending on the water level of the lake, you may not be able to take the boat there, and will instead need to board a bus to Siem Reap.

The remainder of the trip will be spent in Siem Reap, visiting the famous temples of Angkor.  Don’t put your camera away just yet–these temples are visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking.  Catching the sunrise at Angkor Wat is a must, as it will be an unforgettable end to your Southeast Asian adventure!

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