A Change of Guard

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Saturday 21 January 2012

Wanderers get a taste for Asia


VERONICA MATHESON,
The West Australian
January 21, 2012,

The Mekong River, linking China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, has become the latest hotspot for seasoned Aussie travellers who have already explored Europe's extensive inland river systems.More Asia travel:
BURMA IS BACK ON THE MAP
CRUISE BUCKET LIST

HALONG BAY

A cruise along the rich brown silty waters of one of the world's great waterways unveils the history, culture and handicrafts of this fascinating region as well as the local cuisine.

River cruise companies are well prepared to make the Mekong an even more appealing destination for small-ship cruising this summer by adding luxurious new vessels fitted out in French Colonial style with teak decks, gleaming brass fittings, potted palms, and touches of traditional Indo-Chinese decor.

The peak cruising season is moving into full swing as river ships sail north-west from Ho Chi Minh City (the former Saigon) in Vietnam to Siem Reap in Cambodia, and the world's biggest temple complex, Angkor Wat.

Those sailing from Siem Reap have Ho Chi Minh City as their final port of call on the 400km river route.

A crossing of Cambodia's 160km long Tonle Sap (it means great lake) to or from Siem Reap is usually by motor launch or on a coach that skirts the freshwater lake to transfer passengers to river cruise ships at Kampong Cham. However, some of the newer vessels are engineered to sail smoothly across Tonle Sap, though water levels are often too low from April to July when a road journey of several hours needs to be taken.

Sightseeing in Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City is included in some ship itineraries, while others have both destinations as add-on options before and after the river journey. Sightseeing during the cruise is usually included.

En route, there are close-up experiences of daily life, with visits to local markets and villages to see craftspeople at work with the opportunity to buy some freshly created pieces. There is also time to take a Vietnamese cooking class, see Cambodian dance performances, be given a blessing by Buddhist monks, or visit a local school.

Sometimes, the Mekong River cruise is part of a longer land touring package that may include an overnight sailing on a traditional junk amid the stunning limestone karsts of Halong Bay (Vietnam) or a crossing into Laos.

Many Mekong cruises run from January until April and resume from September to December.

This season, Uniworld launched the purpose-built River Saigon that carries 60 guests along the Mekong, Avalon Waterways has introduced the purpose-built Avalon Angkor and APT has added AmaLotus, with 62 suites.

Peregrine Adventures guests sail on Toum Tiou, one of the smallest tourist ships on the Mekong with 10 guest cabins, or on Toum Tiou 2 with 14 cabins.

For details of the diverse range of Mekong River cruise itineraries visit:
aptouring.com.au
avalonwaterways.com.au
ewaterways.com.au/cruises/ mekong
helenwongstours.com
peregrineadventures.com
scenictours.com.au
travelindochina.com.au
uniworldcruises.com.au
vikingcruises.com.

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