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!

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon, as it is still referred to by the locals), serves as a popular gateway to the Mekong.  I would suggest arriving at least two days prior to the departure of your cruise; this will give you some time to recover from jet lag while you take in all that the city has to offer.  The French influences are readily apparent in Saigon—the food, the architecture, and the wide elegant boulevards are all testaments to Vietnam’s years of French occupation. Shoppers will delight in the tailor-made clothing and bedding that’s available, and history buffs will enjoy visiting sites such as the War Remnants Museum (which contains exhibits from the American phase of the Vietnam War).  A word of warning: crossing the street in Southeast Asia can be slightly overwhelming.  Be sure to pay close attention to the traffic!

My stay at the Caravelle Hotel was quite pleasant.  A modern hotel with all of the expected amenities, the Caravelle is located in the city’s business, shopping, and entertainment district, and is across from the Opera House.

From Saigon, it takes about two hours to travel to the port of My Tho, the embarkation point for the Mekong Pandaw.  Cruising on a seagoing vessel is nothing like taking a small luxury streamer up the river.  Though I usually get seasick on the ocean, rivers have never posed any problems.  The Mekong was built in 2003, and was designed to replicate the colonial ships of the 1920s.   The ship itself is beautiful; the teak is hand finished, and the rattan furniture adds a nice touch.  Though the cabins are small, this is somewhat irrelevant because you spend so little time in your room.

I specialize in modern, unusual, and traditional travels which have currently become the most popular kind of travel for celebrities. It has become popular because hotels are now more than a place to sleep, they are part of the experience. Europe is now a common vacation spot so for those who are looking for something different South America, Africa, and Asia are the new hot spots. And contrary to what you may think about these countries vacations to these exotic areas can be very luxurious.

For vacations South America I suggest Argentina and Chile. Argentina is where the Iguazu Waterfall is found, it is one of the most magnificent natural wonders of the world. This is a great location for those looking for outdoor adventure for one can walk right through the falling water, or take a boat to the mouth of the fall, or explore the National Park that surrounds it. In Chile one can explore any and all kinds of natural landscapes. One of the most stunning views of Chile is from the The Explora Hotel in Patagonia, Chile. This is a remarkable hotel tucked away in a biosphere reserve containing waterfalls, glaciers, forests, and granite pillars all more than 2,000 meters above the Patagonian steppes. Both of these locations will leave you in awe at the natural beauty this world has to offer.

Cambodia and Vietnam are some of the up and coming vacation spots in Asia. The hotels are very chic and modern with the highest quality service. In Cambodia the The FCC Angkor is found in the heart of Siem Reap and overlooks the Siem Reap River. The hotel is also only minutes away from the striking and remarkable Angkor Wat temples. In Vietnam the Six Senses Resort, located on the Ninh Van Bay overlooking the China Sea, is a prefect hideaway when you’re looking to get away from it all. With white sand beaches in front of you and mountains surrounding you, the stress of life will just melt away.

Africa now has some of the top hotels in the world. The Royal Malewane, is for those looking for a place to escape, located deep in the South African bush one is surround by wild splendor. This kind of experience is for the more adventurous traveler who wants to experience Africa in its natural state. In Botswana the Sanctuary Lodges and Camps are a great way to experience Africa. Sanctuary has four locations in Botswana all luxury, all set in the heart of Botswana’s wilderness. If your looking for where luxury meets adventure Africa is just the place.