Mekong Cruise – Journeys Within Tour Company

Read about how Anna, our Operations Manager, recently explored the Mekong aboard the newly renovated RV Mekong Pandaw.

Boarding in Kampong Cham and traveling to Phnom Penh, I got to experience the beautiful RV Mekong Pandaw — designed and finished as a replica of a colonial river steamer, I felt like I’d stepped back in time when I boarded this magnificent boat.

After being welcomed on board by the purser, Mr. Bunthoeun, him and his team showed me onto the spacious top deck where a welcome cocktail was waiting. This was the perfect area from which to enjoy the passing sites and take in the river breezes, a welcome break from the high daytime temperatures. Great for a game of pool too!

Each evening we were treated to a delicious four-course meal in the comfortable restaurant located on the lower deck. Each evening this was followed by an optional showing of a movie or documentary relevant to Cambodia and the country’s history.

Our first excursion, led by our wonderful guide Mr. Sophea, took us to shore upriver from Kampong Cham to explore the lesser known Wat Hanchey.

Located at the top of a hill, this 8th Century temple offers fantastic views across the Mekong River.

In the afternoon we continued on to visit the twin holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey (Man Hill and Woman Hill). Nearby is the ecotourism village of Choeungkok, where we stopped to have a wander around and learn more about local life in the area.

And to take in the lush surroundings of rainy season.

After cruising further down the Mekong towards Phnom Penh, we spent our last morning exploring the village of Kampong Tralach. And just to make it a bit more interesting, we accepted the help of some ox carts to show us around.

Back on deck for my last sunset on the Mekong — what better way than to enjoy it than with the cocktail of the day with friends on the top deck.

Sadly I was unable to join the whole expedition. After saying goodbye, the RV Pandaw continued down the Mekong into Vietnam and on to its final destination of Saigon. I guess I’ll have to save that adventure for another time!… Read more »

By: Jeab – Thailand Country Director

Last week, I joined Luang Say Lodge & Cruise FAM Trip and had such a memorable time that I thought I would share this amazing experience with our fans here.

The trip started from a small and lovely town of Laos PDR known as Luang Prabang. Since I arrived late in the afternoon I only had a chance to do a quick orientation tour, courtesy of Phaeng, Laos Tour Manager who gave me a whistlestop tour on the back of his motorbike. I also got to do a quick shopping at night market, having quick Phor(noodle with soup, a Vietnamese dish that but Laos people also love and call Phor too) and quick visit to a Lunag Prabang night club.

I really like Luang Prabang. The people have a similar culture and traditions to Thai people. People in Laos are friendly, smiley and very conservative; I like the way they have signs to inform the tourist about what to wear when they are traveling in the country.

Next day my trip started by giving alms to the monks, which means you have to get up before daybreak! I reached Sakkarine road where the local people including tourists gather and wait for giving food to the monks. That was a busy area but later on I found out that if walk to another side of the road, the one that is close to the river, is not busy at all. Another top-secret tip!

Monks walking down the road to collect alms

At 7.00 am I boarded a boat, and beforehand I was a bit nervous as I have to admit that I can’t swim properly – Mekong River is wide and deep not like in the swimming pool in the hotel! But after I saw the size of the cruise ship with all security gear and professional crews I felt secured! When our journey started my companions and I got so excited about the green scenery of the mountain and how it seemed to play with the morning clouds along the both sides of the Mekong River. It’s like they are good friends and this scene is my favorite of the trip. Everyone was busy taking so many photos and seemed like they would never get bored of shooting the same view, me included! 🙂 My breakfast was Luang Prabang baguette and hot coffee which is just right for a little cold morning. After about 2 hours we got off at Pak Ou temple where 3,000 Buddha images are kept for the villagers to come and pay worship. I was wondering why lots of Buddha images were there and the guide told me that King Chaichetthathirat who has faith in Buddhism and he built this temple and that is the start of Buddhism in Laos after that Laos people become Buddhist and have strong faith and they offer Buddha image in temple arcade. The last stop on the first day was Bor Village. Here the villagers create hand-made textiles and brew local alcohol. I supported them by buying a scarf; maybe next time I’ll be brave and try a drop of alcohol :). When we about to leave the village the kids followed waved to us and smiled widely. They made my heart bigger and I thought that this was a different feeling between touring one day in an amusement park and visiting an undeveloped village. Around twilight time we arrived at Pakbeng, Oudomsay Province where we stayed overnight at Luang Say Lodge. We received a very warm welcome from the staff after check in. We then got picked up to go to the market; this is not in the tour plan so depends on who wants to go – when given a choice of shopping, then why not!

The market is small and most of the products are imported from Thailand. Thai TV Channels are very popular in Laos PDR and I saw the people stay tuned to Thai TV channel when I walk around the market. Since I’ve been in Laos I almost felt like I am in Thailand but the different is when we greet, Laos say “Sabuy dee” means “hi or hello” but Thais say “Sawasdee kha(for girl)/khrap(for boy)” but “Sabuy dee in Laos mean “I’m fine” in Thai and if you want to ask Laos people “how are you? you should say “Sabuy dee bor?”

We got back to the lodge at 7.00pm, and there was a Laos performance to welcome us before dinner. Most of the dancers are still studying and the rest are the teachers. We really enjoyed the performance but the highlight was when they invited all of us to dance “Rumwong”(couple circle dancing). It’s the most popular dance, especially for welcoming guests to their home. I enjoyed it so much that even though we only danced for 1 song I asked for more 🙂 It’s dinnertime after that and the meal was so delicious. Somtum – oops! That’s’ the Thai name but the Laos name is Tumsom, but it’s the same dish. Tumsom seemed to be tastiest one for me that night. Tumsom is green papaya salad like Somtum. In Thai and Laos we put the same ingredients; chili, garlic, lime juice, slice of tomato, fish sauce and fermented fish but in Laos they’ve extra tip they put shrimp paste in it which makes the taste different. I already copied this trick in my mind and I will do it when I make Somtum in Thailand! Chatting and drinking with the other guests after eating is great fun before we retired an early night ready for the next day’s early departure.

After breakfast and saying our good byes to the lodge and staff we continued our journey back to our homeland. The guide said it takes about 8 hours to get to Thailand. This is a relaxing time to enjoy the scenery along the river side, chatting with new people and drinking some beer Laos and reading book. But I thought about massage lots, I think if Luang Say has masseur on board to serve the guest who is tired from their trip that would be the best! This day we visited Hmong village. The Hmong people still believe in ghosts (spirit). When we toured I saw the priest chanting at a house, the guide said they’re chanting to the ghost who protect their village to help a member family who is sick now and we’re not allowed to get in so could only observe from out side the house. This village is more developed than Bor Village as some of them have motorcycle, and there’s a satellite for every single house and they dressed like city people. The tour in this village finished and we headed home directly which took about 3-4 hours. Some of my companions tried to find Thailand’s mobile network system to check if we are in Thailand yet but I kept looking for the Thailand flag. Then we got to see the first one we all clap hands and shouted “Yayy, we made it!”

I really love Laos, full of smiles and making friends with everyone who I met on this trip will be my lasting memory and I promise I will go back to visit Luang Prabang again!