“Travel that gently pushes past boundaries of your comfort zone to create a new perspective about cultures that are different than ours and feel the power that a first hand experience offers”
David Brams and Diane Blair Hickey (see bios here...) took a group on this AmaWaterways river cruise down the Mekong to Vietnam and Cambodia in March 2019. The consensus was it was one of the most extraordinary trips we had ever been on. I have to say it far exceeded any expectations that I had - how often can you say that?. It was an experience so amazing that is hard to put into words. Included are commentaries and photos we took of our experience in the hopes you can get a more accurate feeling for what the experience is like.
David Brams and Diane Blair Hickey (see bios here...) took a group on this AmaWaterways river cruise down the Mekong to Vietnam and Cambodia in March 2019. The consensus was it was one of the most extraordinary trips we had ever been on. I have to say it far exceeded any expectations that I had - how often can you say that?. It was an experience so amazing that is hard to put into words. Included are commentaries and photos we took of our experience in the hopes you can get a more accurate feeling for what the experience is like.
You will be able to experience the amazing dancers featured in the video on the 6 night land extension.
Charms of the Mekong
cruise Itinerary including 6 night land extension
Video of monks giving a blessing in Phnom Penh
 I was surprised by the variety and creativity of the boats on the Mekong
You can tell this boat is not a fishing boat because it has eyes to scare away the giant catfish
Morning light on the Mekong
Market in Sa Dec
Ha Long Bay
Lotus Blossom arrangements for sale
Sometimes the crew would carve out steps in the embankment because there was no dock. The crew was very helpful getting passengers on and off the boat safely.
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MANDATORY 2 NIGHT PRE REQUIRED BECAUSE OF AIR SCHEDULE: Ama has a 2 night pre package in Ho Chi Minh city at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza for $399* per person that includes a half-day city tour and a transfer to the ship (about 2 1/2 hours). * Pricing subject to change
Note: Be sure to try the Vietnamese coffee at the Boudoir Lounge and the croissants at the Mezz restaurant. Vietnam has retained it's French influence which is reflected in the cousine. For a special introduction to the popular many Vietnamese dishes go to Nha Hang Ngon. The atmosphere is elegant and quiet a nice respit from the noisy streets. DAY BY DAY ITINERARY: DAY 1 HO CHI MINH CITY – EMBARKATION on AmaDara Board the AmaDara at My Tho Port. Meet your fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be. (B,L,D) Note: The food on the AmaDara is exceptional. They expertly serve Local dishes as well as American favorites. The food reflects the French influence in Vietnam. I was especially fond of the croissants (chocolate was my favorite) that were so much flakier than what we get in the US. DAY 2 CAI BE – SA DEC Take a local boat to Cai Be. You will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops and the historic Kiet Old House. Later in the day, journey to Sa Dec, a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta, where French writer Marguerite Duras spent part of her youth. You will visit the local market, Cao Dai Temple and the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras’ Chinese paramour, which her prize-winning novel, “The Lover,” is said to be based on. (B,L,D) Note: I believe by visiting local markets you are able to get a glimpse into local life. Motor scooters competed with pedestrians down the alleyways. There were live tubs of fish for sale and we even saw a little boy bathing in one of the tubs while his parents worked! DAY 3 TAN CHAU – BORDER CROSSING Enjoy a visit to Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. You will have the opportunity to take a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silk-making and rattan mat workshops, followed by a boat ride through the narrow channels of the Mekong River to “Evergreen Island.” Alternatively, simply take the boat ride to Evergreen Island and return to Tan Chau, where you will visit a rattan mat workshop. Later in the day, cruise from Vietnam to the Cambodian border en route to Phnom Penh. (B,L,D)When Note: I was sceptical but Evergreen Island is really unspoiled by tourism. We were able to go into people's homes and talk to them through an interpreter. The homes are on stilts because of flooding and their animals live below the house. A memorable moment occurred when there was a big bug in the dirt by our feet and a chicken came by and ate it! In Tan Chau we saw silk weaving machines that were decades old and used punch cards, precursors to modern computers, to create the patterns. DAY 4 PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA This morning’s excursion takes you to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum) just outside the city. After lunch on board, you’ll explore the highlights of the city, followed by a visit to the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts. After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge. (B,L,D) Note: I opted out of the killing fields excursion and took the alternative option of visiting the central market where we got to see everyday life for local people as they shopped in the maze of alleyways. Flowers, especially lotus, were very popular. DAY 5 OUDONG – KAMPONG TRALACH – PHNOM PENH Visit Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital from the early 17th century until 1866. Today, Oudong is a place of pilgrimage for Cambodians. While here, be treated to a memorable Buddhist Blessing Ceremony at a monastery (Note: see video on left). You may also take a walking tour of Oudong. In Kampong Tralach, you will have a truly authentic excursion – an oxcart ride through a local village. Later in the day, experience Phnom Penh via a tuk tuk ride and be enchanted by the city's French Colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian architecture. (B,L,D) Note: I didn't think I would enjoy visiting a school but the kids were so happy to see us and have the opportunity to practice their English. They go to school 6 days a week. DAY 6 OKNHATEY - ANGKOR BAN In the morning, set sail for Oknhatey Village. Oknhatey is the “Silk Island,” located on the lush banks of the Mekong River and known for its rich tradition of silk weaving. While here, you will observe the traditional silk weaving, an art that has been preserved for centuries. Your cruise continues to sail to Angkor Ban. (B,L,D) Note: I've seen silk weaving before but it was always done by machine. Here it is collected, processed and woven by hand. The weavers were woman and they would bring their children to work with them. DAY 7 ANGKOR BAN – KAMPONG CHAM Go on a walking tour of Angkor Ban, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Here people still live in their traditional wooden abodes and keep their old cultural traditions alive. Hundreds of wooden houses stand intact on stilts, shaded with banana trees, among the hustle and bustle of the daily agricultural on-going of the local villagers. After visiting here, the ship sets sail for Kampong Cham, where you will go on an afternoon excursion via motorcoach to the Twin Mountains, known as Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (male and female mountains). In the annals of Khmer legend, the twin mountains were formed as the result of a competition between the men and women of an ancient Cambodian kingdom to resolve which gender would be responsible for wedding proposals. Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board. (B,L,D) Note: This was a special experience where we got to interact with local people that had not had a lot of exposure to tourists. One of the women was tall (unusual in Asia) and referred to someone in our group as her sister because they were both tall. DAY 8 KAMPONG CHAM– DISEMBARKATION Your cruise concludes in Kampong Cham, where you disembark and Motorcoach transfer to Siem Reap. (B) OPTIONAL POST LAND MODULE:
While this is optional you won't want to miss the unique experiences included in this land segment such as seeing ancient temples buried in the jungle, spending the night sailing on in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay and experiencing first hand the vibrancy of Hanoi. 6 night post extension that includes 2 nights Siem Reap, 2 nights Hanoi, 1 night Ha Long Bay and 1 night Hanoi to catch the flight home. Note: I've seen a lot of ruins but nothing that came close to being as spectacular as Angkor Wat. Not to be missed! Day by day itinerary here... Click here for One BIG Reason to Visit Cambodia 
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat at sunrise
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SPACIOUS STATEROOMS
7 nights luxury accommodation in a twin-balcony stateroom Flat-panel screen that features in-house movies Desk and sitting area Bottled water replenished daily AN ARRAY OF AMENITIES Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land programs Sun deck with pool Fitness room and three spas Saigon Lounge with panoramic views and bar Daily entertainment including cultural performances |
AWARD-WINNING DINING
All onboard dining in a variety of venues Regionally inspired cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant Welcome Cocktail and Dinner Unlimited wine with lunch and dinner Complimentary local beer, house-brand spirits and soft drinks during cruise Snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge A WORLD OF EXPLORATION Airport transfers with purchase of air from AmaWaterways Immersive tours in every destination Knowledgeable guides Personal headset for easy exploration Gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour optio |
Contact us for more information at 800-882-9000 / 954-720-9000
David@WorldCruisesandTravel.com
Blair@WorldCruisesandTravel.com
David@WorldCruisesandTravel.com
Blair@WorldCruisesandTravel.com
