Mekong River Cruises by Indochina Sails

Transcription

1 Mekong River Cruises by Indochina Sails

2 Mekong River Cruises by Indochina Sails

3 Welcome aboard The Captain and crew warmly welcome you aboard the histoire d amour d indochine. The exquisite 46-cabin cruising vessel, La Marguerite, has raised the standard of river cruising along the Mekong Delta, offering an unparalleled onboard experience. Rich and beautiful furnishings, paired with world-class dining and service make this cruise perfect for connoisseurs and luxury-seekers alike, while the guided excursions of historic and indigenous sites along the journey enrich the cultural experience of Vietnam and Cambodia. Uniquely inspired by Marguerite Duras passionate love of the Mekong Delta, our crew hopes this passion and admiration will touch all those onboard.

4 Old world charm I cannot think of my childhood without thinking of water. My home town is a town of water. - Marguerite Duras The inspiration behind the RV La Marguerite is directly derived from the life and writings of the famous French writer, Marguerite Duras. Born Marguerite Donnadieu on April 4, 1914 near Saigon, Marguerite grew up in French Indochina, surrounded by the beauty of the Mekong and her people. As a teenager, Marguerite had a love affair with a Chinese man, a passionate experience which would subsequently be the inspiration for many of her memoirs and fictions, including the best-selling L Amant, translated into English as The Lover. The experience onboard La Marguerite hopes to emulate the travel experience of the French colonial era, with carefully selected interior furnishings, adornments and artifacts, and unique excursions into remote areas of the Mekong Delta untouched by time.

5 Enjoy the elegance Gently cruising along the Mekong, reclined on a deck chair, drinking fine wine, sampling worldwide cuisine, and watching the beautiful scenery float by before your eyes. The exceptional attention to detail is what sets the RV La Marguerite apart from other cruises. Interior design by TTT Architects incorporates the refined details of the French colonial era with the comforts of modern cruising. Carefully selected furnishings and accessories from local Mekong merchants, fused with historical French pieces create an authentic look and feel. Our onboard food service spans the cuisine of the world, offering an opportunity to sample local delicacies, fusion menus, as well as staple western fare. Our attentive crew caters to your every need, making your time aboard La Marguerite a relaxing, luxurious escape from modernday life.

6 The taste of luxury Mekong Restaurant Reflecting the mixed cultural influences of Marguerite Duras, the menu at the Mekong Restaurant offers international cuisine; from French delicacies, to the traditional foods of the Mekong region and Vietnamese-Cambodian fusion dishes. An aromatic and exceptional opportunity to taste and experience the culture and food traditions of the world. Saigon Lounge and Panoramic Lounge Unwind in the afternoon and evenings in the tranquil setting of the Saigon Lounge. A space to relax and rejuvenate, whilst listening to a variety of music from the Mekong region. The Panoramic Lounge, located at the front of the vessel, offers an expansive and unsurpassed view of the Mekong gently slipping by. Also equipped with two computers and internet access. Sun Deck Bar and Pool The Sun Deck offers the opportunity to enjoy the sun, either in our dipping pool, reclined on our expansive deck, or at the service bar. Snacks and beverages are served throughout the day.

7 Step into other worlds A cruise aboard the RV La Marguerite is an eight-day historical voyage of colonial Indochina, much of which is relatively untouched. Departing from either Saigon or Siem Reap, travellers will experience the full spectrum of culture and life on the Mekong Delta, as well as excursions to cultural and historical sites throughout Vietnam and Cambodia. Sa Dec, a busy town in the Mekong Delta, was where Marguerite Duras spent much of her childhood. Little has changed since her time here; one can still experience rice paper makers, ancient riverboats and manicured gardens. Even the school her mother taught at, as well as the Duras family home, remains. The old house of Le, the Chinese lover of a young Duras, whom inspired much of her writing, also stands today as a museum dedicated to her greatest-selling work, The Lover. These sites at Sa Dec are a few of the abundant beautiful, insightful and historical ports of call on the journey aboard La Marguerite. All excursions are guided and carefully planned, ensuring an enjoyable and well-paced adventure.

8 Travel itinerary Saigon - Siem Reap Xe Kong Day 1 - Saigon Guests are welcomed aboard the RV La Marguerite as she moors at the Saigon Port, in the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. The riverside and city centre are peppered with French colonial era architecture, glimpses into the history of this fascinating city. Check-in begins at 12h00, where port and immigration formalities will be conducted, before departure at 14h00. After checking in, guests are welcome to relax in their quarters, explore the vessel and enjoy the sights of the Saigon River from one of the many viewing areas as we cruise through the international waterways and up the broad Mekong Tributary. A welcome dinner is held in the evening at the Mekong Restaurant, offering guests a chance to meet fellow passengers. Day 2 - Cai Be - Sa Dec Arriving at Cai Be early in the morning, passengers can enjoy the crimson sunrise on the upper Sun Deck, before breakfast is served. After sailing through Cai Be s floating market, passengers disembark to visit the French Gothic Cathedral, enjoy the colourful flower gardens, and watch local traditional rice paper manufacturers. Back onboard, we cruise past Vinh Long Province before arriving at Sa Dec, the sprawling town where French writer Marguerite Duras spent much of her childhood. Very little has changed since the departure of Duras and the French; ancient riverboats load and unload at the shop-front wharves, old Chinese shop-houses bulge with merchandise and French architecture stands elegant and proud. Both the school where Duras mother taught and the home of her family still remain, as well as the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, her Chinese lover, whom was the inspiration for much of her writing. His home, now known as the Lover Museum is dedicated to their love affair, and Duras subsequent best-selling work. Much of the 1992 film The Lover, directed by Jean-Jaques Annaud was also shot throughout Sa Dec. After exploring this romantic setting, passengers return to La Marguerite for the evening cruise through the Mekong Delta to Tan Chau. Day 3 - Tan Chau - Border Crossing After breakfast, passengers transfer to smaller boats to visit and experience a catfish farm, rice-polishing factory, mat making workshop and a silk weaving workshop in Tan Chau, a small and remote town on the central Mekong River. This small yet fascinating town is further explored on a round-trip trishaw ride, with friendly local driver. Lunch is enjoyed back onboard as we cruise towards the Cambodian border for port and immigration formalities. In the evening, we continue to cruise up the central Mekong River, an international shipping route, before mooring overnight just outside of Phnom Penh. Day 4 - Phnom Penh Our day begins with a short early morning cruise into Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, before docking at the passenger port terminal. Like Saigon, Phnom Penh has retained much of its French charm, with colonial architecture framing the busy day-today life of the locals. The city has several impressive and breathtaking Wats, including Wat Ounalom, Wat Phnom and the newly restored Wat Lang Ka. Passengers have the opportunity to visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, one of the few sites in Cambodia that was able to retain and preserve Khmer cultural artifacts during the Khmer Rouge reign, as well as the National Museum, which also displays many Khmer crafts. An afternoon excursion is arranged to visit the historical yet macabre Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge s Tuol Sleng, or S21, detention centre. Day 5 - Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham Departing from Phnom Penh early in the morning, we continue to cruise up the Mekong before stopping for a leisurely walk at the secluded and serene Chong Koh silk weaving village. As we continue to cruise, passengers can watch the timeless and enchanting scenery pass by, including small fishing villages, pastures, and rising forest-covered hills. In the afternoon, La Marguerite docks at the peaceful and friendly community of Peam Chi Kang Village, where passengers are encouraged to explore the monastery, the monastery school and the surrounding area at their own pace. We anchor for the evening mid-stream at Kampong Cham. Day 6 - Kampong Cham Area In the morning, our journey continues upriver to the hilltop, Pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Dating back to the 8th century, these brick structures characterise the exceptional architectural skill of the Chenla Empire, the predecessor to the architectural brilliance of the Angkor era. Next, we cruise back downstream to explore the Kampong Cham area, travelling by bus to the 12th century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor. This temple is a unique example of a modern Wat in Cambodia, set within the ruins of an ancient temple. We continue to the eco village of Cheungkok, admiring the many pagodas and shrines that can be found on the surrounding hilltops. Day 7 - Tonle River Winding through the jungles and local villages, today we sail along the Tonle River, which connects Tonle Lake with the Mekong and Basaac Rivers at Phnom Penh. The riverbanks are dotted with temples and friendly, smiling people at Kampong Chhnang. This is a busy rural port town with bustling markets; an authentic insight into the day-to-day of the Cambodian rural life. Mooring mid-stream, passengers are invited to visit the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the river and witness the stunning variety of bird life and the schools of fish migrating from the lake into the Tonle River. Day 8 - Tonle Lake - Siem Reap The great Tonle Lake is over 150km long, a dominating feature of Northern Cambodia, and an astounding ecological environment, with profuse bird and fish life. Depending on water levels, we will either cross Tonle Lake at dawn and disembark at Siem Reap port, or transfer by coach from Prek Kdam on the Tonle River to Siem Reap. Arrival at Siem Reap marks the end of our cruise as we bid farewell to our passengers. 0 0 CAMBODIA Siem Reap Tonle Sap Lake Kilometres 50 Tonle Sap River Phnom Penh 100 Miles Mekong River Kampong Chhnang Tan Chau Kampong Cham Mekong River Sa Dec Tonle Srepok Cai Be VIETNAM Ho Chi Minh City

9 Travel itinerary Siem Reap - Saigon Xe Kong Day 1 - Siem Reap - Tonle Lake We welcome our passengers onboard the RV La Marguerite at the tranquil and still Tonle Lake, the great lake of Cambodia, which is over 150km in length. An ecological wonderland, the lake is home to a profuse number of bird and fish life, sustaining life for many, including the small floating fishing villages of rural Cambodians. As the water levels of the lake and river vary through the seasons, boarding of the vessel is dependent on the time of the cruise. During high water levels, approximately July to November, passengers register at 11h00 at Angkor Palace Hotel before transferring to the ship at Siem Reap Port. Once onboard, lunch is served as we cross the Tonle Lake in the afternoon before dropping anchor after sunset at the edge of the Great Lake. During low water levels, approximately November to July, passengers register at 11h00 at Angkor Palace Hotel before transfer by coach to Preak Kdam on the Tonle River. A light lunch and cold drinks are enjoyed on the journey, with a stop in Kampong Thom, arriving at the vessel by 16h00. Once onboard, we cruise to Kampong Chhnang for overnight mooring. Day 2 - Kampong Chhnang - Kampong Cham We begin our day at the bustling rural port town of Kampong Chhnang. Mooring mid-stream, passengers are invited on a motor excursion to explore the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the Tonle River. A wide range of bird life can be seen in this environment, as well as the fascinating fish traps, some over half a kilometre long, which net vast numbers of the fish which migrate from the lake into the river after each monsoon. The river narrows as we wind our way through the jungle, allowing us to get a captivating view of the traditional Cambodian rural life, seeing friendly waves from smiling faces dispersed between the beautiful temples found along the riverbank. Reaching Phnom Penh in the afternoon, we change captains before entering the upper Mekong, bound for Kampong Cham. An afternoon walk in a small rural village before our overnight moor, mid-stream, at Kampong Cham. Day 3 - Wat Hanchey - Phnom Penh Our morning journey upriver takes us to the pre- Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey, dating from the 8th century. These beautiful ancient brick structures, which pre-date the glories of the Angkor period, characterise the architecture of the Chen La Empire. Enjoy lunch while we sail back downstream to explore the Kampong Cham area, travelling by bus to the 12th century Angkorian temple, Wat Nokor. This colourful Wat is a unique example of a modern temple in Cambodia, as it is set within the ruins of an ancient temple. Next we head to the eco-village of Cheungkok before boarding the vessel and departing late in the afternoon towards Phnom Penh. The RV La Marguerite moors overnight mid-stream at Phnom Penh. Day 4 - Phnom Penh Early in the morning, we cruise into Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, and dock at the passenger port terminal. Central Phnom Penh retains much of its French charm, with exquisite colonial architecture acting as a backdrop to the busy, lively city. Many impressive Wats stand within the city centre, including Wat Ounalom, Wat Phnom and the recently renovated Wat Lang Ka. Passengers are invited to visit the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda, one of the few locations in Cambodia that was able to preserve Khmer cultural artifacts during the reign of the Khmer Rouge. The National Museum is also recommended, with magnificent displays of traditional Khmer crafts and art. An afternoon excursion is arranged to allow passengers to discover the grim historical sites of the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge s Tuol Sleng, or S21, detention centre. In the evening, passengers can choose to enjoy one of the many restaurants and bars, conveniently located along the riverfront. Day 5 - Border Crossing We continue our cruise along the Mekong River, a busy international shipping route, stopping at Preak Dach, a jungle village, to visit fruit orchards. Border crossing formalities occur as we enter into Vietnamese water, before reaching our overnight moor mid-stream at Tan Chau, a small, remote town on the central Mekong. Day 6 - Tan Chau - Sa Dec After breakfast, passengers transfer to smaller boats to explore the surrounding area, including a cat fish farm and rice-polishing factory. Onshore, we visit a matmaking workshop before taking a short walk into the village to visit a silk colouring workshop. A trishaw ride with a friendly local driver around this fascinating town then takes us back to the pier. After a short channel cruise on a local boat, passengers return to the RV La Marguerite for lunch as we cruise towards Sa Dec. Day 7 - Sa Dec - Cai Be Breakfast is served onboard RV La Marguerite before passengers board small local boats to transport into the village of Sa Dec. This sprawling town in the Mekong Delta is where famous French writer Marguerite Duras spent much of her childhood. Beyond the departure of the French, very little has changed in this bustling town since Duras day, with old Chinese shop-houses bulging with merchandise and ancient riverboats loading and unloading at the wharves. We spend time in the house of Mr.. Huynh Thuy Le, the Chinese lover of the young Duras, whom was the inspiration for much of her writing later in her life, including the best-selling L Amant, or The Lover. Mr. Le s house is now a small museum dedicated to this love affair and subsequent narrative. Returning to the boat for lunch, passengers can also see the location in which Jean-Jaques Annaud directed his 1992 film The Lover, as we continue to cruise towards Cai Be. After lunch, passengers are invited to take a local junk trip around Cai Be to see the fascinating floating market, heading onshore to experience the delightful flower gardens, the ancient Kiet House and watch local rice paper manufacturers at work. Back onboard, we cruise in the evening to Saigon. Day 8 - Saigon The RV La Marguerite cruises into Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, early in the morning, docking at the Saigon River frontage. 0 0 CAMBODIA Tonle Sap Lake Kilometres 50 Siem Reap Tonle Sap River Phnom Penh 100 Miles Mekong River Kampong Chhnang Tan Chau Kampong Cham Mekong River Sa Dec Tonle Srepok Cai Be VIETNAM Ho Chi Minh City

10 Indochina Suite The exquisite Indochina Suites, located on the top Sundeck, exude the same attention to detail and luxurious features as the rest of the RV La Marguerite. Each cabin measures 42m 2, and comes with a King size bed, private bathroom with jacuzzi and separate shower. Passengers can relax and watch the scenery float by from their private balcony. All cabins onboard are fully equipped with modern amenities, including air-conditioning, wardrobe, writing desk, sofa, mini-bar, safe box, in-house telephone, in-house television, hair-dryer, kimono and slippers.

11 Sadec Suite Stateroom Our 6 Sadec Suites, located on the Sundeck, feature a Queen size bed, long sofa, private bathroom with bathtub and separate shower and are exquisitely decorated to reflect the French colonial theme of the RV La Marguerite. Sadec Suites also feature a large fixed window and private balcony to enjoy the sights as they cruise by. Each cabin measures 27m 2 and are fully equipped with modern amenities, including air-conditioning, wardrobe, writing desk, sofa, mini-bar, safe box, in-house telephone, in-house television, hair-dryer, kimono and slippers. Our 38 Staterooms, spread over three decks, are elegantly decorated, and feature twin beds, which can be formed into a double bed and a private bathroom. Each cabin measures 21m 2 and are fully equipped with modern amenities, including air-conditioning, wardrobe, writing desk, sofa, mini-bar, safe box, in-house telephone, in-house television, hair-dryer, kimono and slippers.

12 Onboard amenities There are many amenities onboard the RV La Marguerite that caters to all of our passengers needs. Our day spa is a relaxing sanctuary, offering indulgent spa treatments and pampering services to relax and rejuvenate body and mind. We also offer a small gym and sauna, another avenue of relaxation and release. Other amenities include an onboard laundry, fully equipped galley and refrigeration storage, gift shop and library. Air-conditioning is available throughout all indoor facilities. Our Sundeck also features a dipping pool and reclining deck chairs, as well as a fully equipped bar.

13 RV La Marguerite Overview and Technical Data RV La Marguerite Deck and Accommodation Details Length: 71.6m Main length: 65.6m Width: 12.5m Depth: 1.8m Free Board: 1.5m Air Draft: 9.65m Engines: 2 x 700 h/p (Yanmar) Generator: 2 x 320 Kva Cat (USA) Crew: 42 (International) Passenger cabins: 46 Passenger berths: 92 Registry: VIRES S1 Home port: Saigon Constructed in Vietnam: July 2009 Ship Design: Colonial Interior Design: Boutique Safety: Safety features of the RV La Marguerite include smoke detectors in all cabins and public areas, emergency lighting and generator, fire pump, hydrants and hoses, fire extinguishers, life jackets for all passengers and crew, and life rafts. Water and Sewage: The RV La Marguerite operates with the important objective of minimal environmental impact. This is achieved through the construction of composting wastewater treatment facilities for desalination, de-sedimentation and purification using UV and osmosis, as well as micro biotic treatment plants for sewage. RFD WHIRLPOOL RFD KITCHEN ENGINE ROOM SUNDECK SAIGON LOUNGE MEKONG RESTAURANT WATER TANK WATER TANK WTP SPA GYM GIFT SHOP CHIEF ENGINEER LAUNDRY SPA SAUNA BUSINESS CENTRE REST ROOM WELCOME DESK MEETING ROOM MAIN BRIDGE STAFF AREA STAFF AREA Sadec Deck (Sun Deck) - 2 Indochina Suites each measuring 42m 2, each with French balcony and private terrace - 6 Sadec Suites each measuring 27m 2, each with large fixed window and private balcony - Sundeck Bar & whirlpool measuring 275m 2, treatment spa, gym, sauna Saigon Deck (Upper Deck) - 14 Staterooms each measuring 21m 2, each with fixed window and balcony - Saigon Lounge & Panoramic Lounge, measuring 230m 2. Tonle Deck (Main Deck) - 16 Staterooms each measuring 21m 2, each with fixed window and balcony - Mekong Restaurant, measuring 196m 2, gift shop and reception area. Mekong Deck (Lower Deck) - 8 Staterooms each measuring 21m 2, each with porthole Sadec Suite Indochina Suite Stateroom

14 Sales Information Head Office: 2/1 Nguyen Thanh Y, Da Kao Ward, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tel: Fax: sales@indochina-sails.com General Sales Agents: AMAWATERWAYS (North America & South America) Lernidee Erlebnisreisen (Germany) ООО Фокус Трэвел Россия (Russia) Ocean Dream ( Japan) Rivages du Monde (Belgium & France) Thurgau Travel AG (Switzerland)

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