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| Day 1 |
7:45 a.m. - ship is open for embarking
8:00 a.m. - Departure of the ship for Kôh Chen (Chinese Island). Security briefing.
Arrival to Kôh Chen, small village of whose inhabitants specialize in silver and copper smiting. They make ornamental items, including delicately engraved tropical fruits, used in traditional ceremonies at the pagoda or for marriages.
The distant hills of Cambodia's old capital, Oudong, and its royal stupas can be seen a few kilometers away from the ferry. At the top of the hill, the ruins of Anthareu temple.
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Passengers re-embark the ship. Lunch on board on the way to Kampong Tralach
Arrival at Kampong Tralach to visit its wonderful Vihara belonging to Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To get to it, we cross Kampong Tralach Krom village along a small road perpendicular to the river, crossing some gorgeous stretches of emerald rice paddy as we leave the river behind.
The Vihara dates back to early last century. It was probably built on an older site, as indicated by the latérite foundations, and is home to some outstanding mural paintings. These, however, are starting to suffer from weathering. They remain one of the last survivors of cultural destruction that continues unabated due to widespread indifference.
Standing by itself in the middle of rice fields, it is a modest pagoda that receives very few visitors. Its isolation may well be its undoing, as was the case for Wat Tani Pagoda in the province of Kampot.
Passengers re-embark. The ship drops anchor few miles away.
Welcome drink and info meeting about cruise, crew introduction.
Welcome dinner. Overnight onboard.
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| Day 2 |
Departure of the ship early in the morning. Sail to Kampong Chnang. Breakfast during navigation.
Arrival to Kampong Chnang.
Located some 56 miles from Phnom Penh, the town of Kampong Chnang is one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonlé Sap. Fish farming is also widely practiced in the area. The area is famous for its pottery ware, unchanged in style for centuries, which is produced in sufficient quantities to supply the entire country. And not to be overlooked are the products of the Thnot tree (sugar palm – a real national symbol) that abounds in the area: a mellow tasting, caramel-colored sugar sold in large cakes and palm wine.
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High water
Passengers re-embark the ship. Lunch on board on the way to Kampong Luong.
Arrival at Kampong Luong. Local boats are coming along the ship and picking passengers for the visit.
Almost totally overlooked by tourists because of its remoteness and difficult access, the village is completely self-sufficient. A floating school, factories to make ice for fish preservation, church, pagoda, service stations, pigsty, stores, boat or television repair shops, video club, karaoke bar, police station... everything is on the water. All trades are represented and everybody from children to grandparents goes by boat through the network of canals that cross this little town.
Passengers re-embark. The ship stays overnight under the protection of the flooded forest.
Farewell cocktail (1 glass of local liquor or juice) with Master of Ship and Cruise Manager.
Captain’s farewell dinner (Enriched menu + 1 glass of wine). Overnight on board
Low water
Passengers re-embark the ship. Lunch on board on the way to
[Chnok Tru]
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Arrival at Chnok Tru. Local boats are coming along the boat and picking passengers for the visit of the biggest floating village on the Tonlé Sap River
Passengers re-embark. The boat stays overnight in the proximity of Chnok Tru.
Farewell cocktail (1 glass of local liquor or juice) with Master of Ship and Cruise Manager
Captain’s farewell dinner (Enriched menu + 1 glass of wine). Overnight on board
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| Day 3 |
High water
Departure of the ship early in the morning. Time to pack and relax half a day by crossing the Tonlé Sap Lake. *
1:00 p.m. - Passengers disembark, local tour agent pick up passengers and transfer to hotel after a last lunch onboard.
Low water
Breakfast and relaxing morning on the boat.
Daily speedboat is coming along the boat and picks up passengers for crossing the Lake.
Arrival at Phnom Krom pier.
1:30 p.m. - Local tour agent picks up passengers and transfers (5 miles) to restaurant in Siem Reap for a last lunch. After lunch local tour agent transfers passengers to hotel.
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