Yahoo Lifestyle Vietnam And Cambodia Travel Highlights
As the humming chant echoes off the ornate temple ceiling, a solemn Buddhist monk concludes his blessing. Sitting cross-legged on the temple stone floor, he showers the gathering of faithful worshippers and curious tourists with handfuls of jasmine buds then reaches within the folds of his saffron robe and produces... an iPhone. He then proceeds to snap photos of the crowd – presumably for his Instagram feed or Facebook page – before taking a call.
If you pride yourself on your back-packing stamina in the quest for authentic travelling experiences, you probably haven’t considered cruising before. While the average clientele are slightly more advanced in years, there’s definitely something to be learnt from the wisdom of the cruising ages, ie. stress-free travel with no need to repack your bags each day. What’s not to love about that?
The holiday starts in bustling Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest metropolis, where you’ll find serene high-end boutiques and air-conditioned shopping malls rising up alongside labyrinthine markets that buzz with hawking and haggling. Streams of scooters flood the streets where whole families (including the dog) balance on a single moped, zooming alongside stylish Miss Saigons in designer facemasks and head-to-toe prints.
After shopping up a storm and soaking up the hum of the city, it’s a pleasure to beat a retreat to one of the hotel rooftop bars. (The guide books advise to avoid ice in general, but hotels are considered relatively safe.) A tiny elevator ride up at The Rex leads to a dance floor guarded by elephants and a tempting Rexpolitan. Or, at The Caravelle, try the Journalist Juice on the rooftop Saigon, Saigon Bar which is buzzing as back up dancers in gold lame hot pants gyrate behind a diva inexplicably belting out “I Will Survive” in Spanish.
CRUISE CONTROL
Take a step away from the buzz of Ho Chi Minh to board the newly launched, custom-built Cruiseco Adventurer to start your 7-night Mekong cruise from Vietnam to Cambodia.
Essentially a floating hotel that takes you from sight to sight, the Cruiseco Adventurer is a relaxing way to experience these cultures. And being on the river places you right in the middle of daily local life, with spectacular views from your cabin’s private balcony. The river’s residents react with bemusement, indifference or delight in seeing foreigners passing through.
The food on board is a highlight, with European-trained local chefs cooking traditional, seasonal fare, and even demonstrating fresh spring roll making and fruit carving. A mixed assortment of other typical cruise entertainment is on offer, all approached with an infectious enthusiasm – a tour guide-cum-evening piano man singing a rendition of “What a Wonderful World” that is more Cookie Monster than Louis Armstrong, or a class in lotus petal folding or a Khmer dance. Nothing, however, can compare to a cool drink in the compact pool on deck, as the landscape drifts by.
RIVER DANCE
Each day of the cruise involves an excursion ashore to meet the locals and explore the attractions. Again it is the contrasts that are most striking, such as a dilapidated cathedral brought to life with neon halos and LED lights flashing at the altar; while a street market selling baskets of freshly cut water lilies and pyramids of mangoes sits opposite stalls selling mobile phones and Angry Birds toys.
As part of the cruise you’ll visit tiny villages and grand palaces, as well have the option to take a heart-wrenching visit to the Killing Fields in Phnom Penh. Rickshaw, tuk-tuk and ox cart rides are an injection of touristy fun, and the demonstrations of local crafts and cooking are fascinating – the sweet rice treats are delicious, but try the snake whiskey at your own risk. And leave some room in your luggage for silk. You will be buying some.
SURELY TEMPLES
Reluctantly leaving the ship behind at Tonie Lake, the final stunning destination is Siem Reap. Staying in the exquisite Raffles Hotel d’Angkor, with its sophisticated colonial splendour, it is just a short journey to internationally renowned Angkor Wat, the world’s largest temple complex. Exploring the giant structure is awe-inspiring, and a shaky legged climb up the nearly vertical steps of the central temple is worth the vertigo for the incredible views.
Lastly, the untouched Ta Phrom Temple, where the jungle encroaches and giant Banyan trees drip like melted candles over the stone walls, has an other worldly feel. It’s a fitting final stop in a grand adventure – an ancient man-made structure locked in a battle with nature, where two worlds collide, the old versus the new.
GETTING THERE
The Cruiseco Adventurer Saigon to Siem Reap 11 nights. Early bird cruise fares start at $4,199pp. For more information go to www.cruising.com or call (02) 9492 8520.
101 IDEAS
In Ho Chi Minh City you’re buying... tailor-made clothing in the fabric of your considerable choice (from around $45 for a shirt or pants), ready the same day.
Onboard you’re tasting... a feast of fresh tropical fruit, direct from the markets you’ve visited, including rambutan, dragonfruit, mangosteen and the infamous durian, claimed to “smell like hell, but taste like heaven”.
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In Phnom Penh you’re sipping... a Femme Fatale cocktail at The Elephant Bar in Raffles Hotel Le Royal. The rogue champagne cocktail (“as red as her lips”) was served in honour of Jacqueline Kennedy as she fulfilled her lifelong dream of seeing Angkor Wat in 1967.
In Siem Reap you’re relaxing with... an intense but rewarding hour long traditional Khmer body and foot massage, from as little as $6 near the central market. For a few dollars more you can dip your feet in a pool, where Koi Fish will nibble your toes. Perfect after a day spent trekking through the ancient temples.
