Our itinerary for our holiday sailing the Mekong River with AmaWaterways was called ‘Riches of the Mekong’. Our voyage started in Siem Reap and ended in Ho Chi Minh City.
All the excursions on an AmaWaterways Mekong sailing are included so you don’t need to worry about additional cost for taking part. We went on every excursion there was. This is not the holiday where you want to opt for skipping an excursion.
You are given an audio box in your cabin which you use for all your excursions. Using this means you don’t have to be standing right next to your guide to hear him. We thought it worked great and the sound was always very clear.
Each evening before dinner our cruise director Young filled us in on the next day’s excursions and anything additional we would need to know, for example, if there was a dress code (which there often was, so we made sure most of the outfits we took covered our knees and shoulders).
Siem Reap
Some guests had done the pre-extension with AmaWaterways so were already in Siem Reap. We flew in the day before our sailing due to our work schedules.
We may have only had 24 hours in Siem Reap, but we certainly tried to make the most of it. We booked a private tuk tuk tour with a guide and explored Bayon, Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei and Angkor Wat.
Then in the evening we went to a local restaurant and enjoyed local Cambodia dishes of chicken amok and lok lak curry, with some very refreshing local Angkor beers.
Prior to our departure all the communications from AmaWaterways were clear and as we had arranged our own way to Siem Reap, we were to meet our fellow guests for the transfer to Ama Dara in the morning at the Sofitel Siem Reap.
This is where we met our wonderful cruise director Young for the first time. We quickly checked in and were told we were part of the blue group. Our coach, which transferred us from Siem Reap to our ship in Kampong Cham, was very comfy indeed. Our seats were extremely spacious, the air con was great and we were given plenty of water. The best part of our transfer was that we were accompanied by our Cambodian guide Phani, who was an absolute delight.
Kampong Cham
When we first arrived in Kampong Cham we boarded the beautiful AmaDara where lunch was ready and waiting for us. We had a lovely first meal on board and after quickly settling into our cabin we took part in our first excursion which took us to Phnom Bros.
We explored the beautiful temples, took in the views and watched the monkeys happily playing.
Angkor Ban and Oknha Tey
On our second day we explored two memorable villages. The morning saw us exploring Angkor Ban. The walking tour was amazing, the village was small and rural and we both felt we were really getting a true glimpse of village life.
It was one of the few villages which was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s, so felt even more special that we were exploring this village. The wooden houses are fascinating, with many of them standing on stilts. We were also lucky enough to be welcomed into one of the houses so we could see for ourselves what they were like on the inside.
After a short sailing our afternoon trip was to Oknha Tey village where we first got to visit a local school. AmaWaterways works with the school and has been a big support to them over the years. In our pre-sailing information it asks guests to bring along any donations if they wish to do so to support the school. We took with us five packs of pens, pencils, felt tips, rulers, erasers, sharpeners and post-it notes. There is a very small amount of stationary available in the onboard shop, however, if you are able to, please do take some supplies. The school was so very grateful for our donations. The teacher really couldn’t have been more thankful for something that for us was a small gesture, it is very humbling.
We got a tour of the school and were introduced to a class who showed off their extremely impressive English to us by singing us a song then telling us their favourite subjects and what they wanted to do when they were older. I can’t put into words how very special this experience was and how lucky Mr B and I felt to be there.
From the school we made our way to a silk factory and just the walk there alone was fantastic (a tuk tuk to take you to the factory was also available for guests not wishing to walk). At the factory we were shown the process of how the silk is made, from the beginning stages of the silk worm and the talent that is needed and used to weave the silk.
Oudong and Phnom Penh
Day three first took us to Oudong where we explored a stunning monastery and then something extremely special indeed.
All guests were treated to a Buddhist blessing ceremony. It was one of those once in a lifetime experiences you will never forget. We felt incredibly lucky to have such a memorable and special blessing.
After the ceremony, for guests who wished to partake we climbed the 509 steps to the top of the Oudong temple.
For us, the views were worth every step. The photos most definitely do not do the incredible views justice, it was stunning.
After another short sail we got our first glimpse of Phnom Penh.
To get a taste for the magnificent capital of Cambodia we enjoyed a tuk tuk tour of the city, where we got to experience the sights and sounds, taking in glimpses of the markets, architecture and local life. We had a stop at Wat Phnom, a Buddhist temple which is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.
Phnom Penh
For our full day in Phnom Penh we first had a visit to the Royal Palace. Walking around the grounds and admiring the architecture is fascinating, as is the detail, the craftsmanship and sheer beauty of the place.
We got to see inside the Silver Pagoda which is made up of over 5,000 silver tiles and we glimpsed inside the stunning throne room.
After the palace we made our way to the central market where we had fun shopping for souvenirs and gifts. Our guide Phani took those of us who were interested to a rice stall where we could buy award-winning Cambodian rice, $2 dollars for 2kg! And that was the price, no negotiating needed. Luckily, we did have room in our suitcase.
Our afternoon had us learning about the devastating Khmer Rouge regime. Our guide Phani was so very open and honest with us about the regime. We visited the S21 detention center followed by a visit to the Killing Fields.
At both visits Phani spent time with us talking and explaining, and we were also given time on our own at each site. AmaWaterways and Phani handled this visit so well. Cambodia don’t want people to forget the atrocities which occurred.
At S21 we were blessed to be able to meet a survivor and hear briefly about his story of survival. We also purchased his book.
It’s really hard to describe the afternoon. I strongly feel it’s something all visitors should experience, to educate and, most importantly, remember those who lost their lives during this incredibly cruel and evil regime.
Sailing day
Our fifth day onboard was actually a sailing day, no early rising for an excursion! We got to enjoy the beautiful AmaDara as we sailed the Mekong River and crossed the border into Vietnam.
The team did a wonderful job at keeping guests busy with activities for those who wished to partake. There was bingo, an ice cream party, a talk on local Vietnamese culture and a local fruit tasting.
Mr B and I spent the day on the top deck on a sun lounger, enjoying the wonderful views we sailed past. Those moments were so special to us.
Tan Chau
Our first day in Vietnam had us visiting a small Mekong River town, Tan Chau. We first boarded our tender boat which took us to Evergreen Island.
Our guided walk showed us this rural village, home to only 300 people. We saw the farms, the animals, the friendly locals and were welcomed into a home where we were graciously received and were able to see inside a local house.
We had a short sail back to Tan Chau, then made a small walk to a rattan mat factory where we saw the craft of making, dying and weaving the rattan.
We then travelled to our next stop in style, on a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw)!
It was a lot of fun and we were soon at our next stop at a silk-making factory. This one was quite different to the one we visited in Cambodia, with more machinery. It was good to see the contrast between the two.
To get back to our tender to the ship, we got to jump back onto our trishaws. This was definitely a great experience and just a very fun way to travel!
Sa Dec and Cai Be
Our final day exploring Vietnam on AmaDara. This day we visited a river and land town called Sa Dec.
Our first stop was to a local market, and I mean local.
This wasn’t a tourist market in the slightest, this was a true traditional food market where every day the locals shop for fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. This was just one of so many experiences AmaWaterways gave us in which we were experiencing true authentic local life.
After our market visit we visited the ornate and beautiful Cao Dai Temple.
In the afternoon we went to Cai Be where we visited a candy and rice paper factory where we got to see how they are both made by hand and the skill involved. Of course, we also got to enjoy some tastings.
For guests who wished to continue, we took a guided walk to the historic Kiet Old House which is over 150 years old.
Departure
Sadly, it was time for us to depart AmaDara. Mr B and I both agreed the experiences AmaWaterways, along with our guides, gave us were truly once in a lifetime, ones we would never have been able to arrange on our own.
The authentic life and culture we experienced was truly memorable. It’s a part of the world I have dreamt about visiting for many years and AmaWaterways exceeded every dream and wish I had for this holiday.
To AmaWaterways and all the wonderful crew on AmaDara, thank you for a holiday of a lifetime.
Read my other blog post to see onboard AmaDara, our wonderful river cruise ship sailing the Mekong . . .
Read about all the food we enjoyed on our cruise on the Mekong . . .
https://www.amawaterways.co.uk/mekong
Wow,what an amazing adventure. Lots of fantastic memories made xx