Cruise
Full steam ahead! Sailing Through the Land of Two Smiles with CroisiEurope, part II
Article and photography by Michael Morcos
Full steam ahead! In this second of a two-part article, we set sail to discover some of the highlights found along the Mekong River and Delta. Life could not be any better as we would discover these magnificent Cambodian and Vietnamese destinations from our luxurious home base on the RV Indochine II, CroisiEurope’s flagship in Asia.
On board, there is nothing left to chance, as everything is designed for comfort to enjoyment. CroisiEurope’s cruise was filled with plenty of activities and yet gave us enough downtime to enjoy this beautiful ship and be pampered by a genuinely happy crew each day.
There was at least one daily port of call, and everything was included, from transportation to shore, guided tours of spectacular monuments, markets, temples, and even shows were included. The only thing to remember is to bring personal items and bring back happy memories as the crew took care of every little detail to make every excursion memorable and enjoyable.
Day one was a wonderful way to start our nine-day journey. In Angkor Wat, situated in Siam Reap, our visit was nothing short of spectacular. We were up at dawn to witness the rising of the sun that silhouetted the fantastic structures and then spent the day discovering this massive ancient site. Beyond Angkor Wat, there was a multitude of sites to visit, so much so that the average visitor would surely run out of time, while the history buffs could easily spend a week here.
Of all the cruise line companies that sail the Mekong, CroisiEurope is the only one that sails on Lake Tonle Sap. This special portion of the cruise would take us to out of the way places that have very few tourists. By the time we finally caught up with the other luxury ships a couple of days later, we would have visited just about everything that contrasts to Siam Reap, including a village where an elderly man would find his way up to the tops of Sugar Palm trees to gather sap used for everyday cooking. In the same village, we would find others making an assortment of clay objects using an ancient method. If this was not enough, we visited a Buddhist monastery and historical temple. Just getting there was an experience on its own as we rode by ox cart through rice paddies, experienced local villages and discovered a wonderful and sometimes serene lifestyle that explorers dream about.
On another excursion, we would be treated to a village that specializes in producing amazing looking bronze ware. This would seem to be an art that has been passed down for many generations where personal dwellings are also the workshops for melting, shaping and artfully designing great looking pieces used in everyday life as well as for home decor and in temples. This was yet another unexpected dimension of Cambodia.
Onwards to the last leg of our Cambodia portion where we would find ourselves in the national capital of Phnom Penh. CroisiEurope would organize an orientation tour by no less than a tuk-tuk. On this extremely hot day we would be cooled by wind as we navigate through the central parts to discover that the city is both hectic and congested, but compared to other capitals, slow paced and inviting. The newer high-rise buildings contrasted drastically to the historical French quarters.
The following day we would rediscover Phnom Penh and visit it’s most famous and popular sites, including the breathtaking and spotless grounds of the royal palace, the national museum and the retention center that was used for interrogating and torturing citizens during the Khmer Rouge days.
All along our journey, we would feast like kings, and yet keep in shape as the wonderful Cambodian and Vietnamese cuisine is lean on fats, yet incredibly nutritious, healthy, and tasty. This was the same on board our ship, as CroisiEurope had many choices of local, French and international dishes. This is one cruise which I actually ended up being the same weight as when we started, not only that, but I actually felt full of energy and in top shape.
Continuing south towards the sea, we would now find ourselves in another country. Although Cambodia and Vietnam are neighbors, there was a definite difference in culture and atmosphere. Where Cambodia was rather calm, Vietnam, that has many times its population, was rather charged. Generally speaking, the citizens were more active, boisterous and seemingly more industrious.
Here we would visit charming villages, take a canal tour, visit local markets, world-class museums, historical temples, a large pottery factory, a war zone that included Viet Cong tunnels, blasted out tanks, and even the shooting gallery where visitors, for a price, could fire off a choice of assault weapons such as an AK-47.
Our long cruise navigated the many tributaries of the Delta and ended up in Ho Chi Minh City. This large metropolis has so much to see and do that it would take the better part of a week to explore. Navigating the streets at rush-hour was both hectic, dangerous and a rush of adrenaline as there was an unbelievable number of scooters and motorcycles that drive in every direction and even on sidewalks. This bustling city has its colonial past and yet is pointed straight towards the 21st-century.
CroisiEurope sure has a winner on this route that immerses any visitor to South-East Asia in its delights. Coupled with a luxurious a state-of-the-art vessel, fantastic service, great cuisine and a wonderful itinerary, there is no better way of visiting the Mekong in style, safety, and comfort.
