This was published 6 years ago
Ten unmissable experiences on South-East Asia's waterways
There's no experience in South East Asia quite like Angkor Wat.
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Sometimes, you won't believe your eyes. You'll look out of the window of your suite, or gaze out from the sun deck or the restaurant and see something amazing, something you've never seen before, something you didn't know existed.
Maybe it will be a floating village in Cambodia, or a bustling city in Vietnam; it might be a riverside temple complex, or a quiet village. There's so much to discover in Cambodia and Vietnam, so much to see from the comfort of a Travelmarvel river ship. These are experiences that cannot be missed.
See Cambodia's floating villages
A trip down a waterway anywhere in the world is a window into another way of life – however, that life is rarely as different and fascinating as it is in northern Cambodia. It's here, just outside the city of Siem Reap, that you'll find floating villages, entire settlements of people who live on the river, who make their living from fishing, and whose houses simply float, often tethered to their neighbours' abodes. It's an amazing insight into a part of Cambodian life that's rarely witnessed.
Visit a former royal capital
One of Travelmarvel's "Insider Experiences" on a cruise through Cambodia and Vietnam is the chance to stop at the former royal capital of Oudong and receive a traditional Buddhist blessing. Oudong was the capital for more than 250 years, and today much of its former splendour, including plenty of temples, can still be viewed. The blessing, meanwhile, is a form of good luck for the journey ahead, and an experience not to be missed.
Stay on a premium river ship
Though the main attractions of travel in Cambodia and Vietnam are the sights you'll see slowly gliding by your window, there's also plenty to love about your accommodation during Travelmarvel's eight-day cruise. The RV La Marguerite is a premium river ship, with spacious suites and plenty of facilities including air-conditioned lounges, the open-air sun deck, a swimming pool, a spa and a fitness centre.
See sunset over Angkor Wat
There's no experience in South East Asia quite like this: settling in to a quiet spot on the grass, pausing from the hustle and bustle of travel to simply sit and appreciate the sight of the sun slowly setting behind that most famous of temples: Angkor Wat. It pays to have your camera ready for this, as the sky explodes with colour against a centuries-old silhouette.
Learn about Cambodian history
Enjoy the best of South East Asian cuisine
Plenty of people travel to South East Asia purely to eat, and for good reason: the cuisine here is some of the best in the world. You'll get to experience the full gamut of Cambodian and Vietnamese gastronomy, too – as well as enjoy a few familiar favourites – aboard Travelmarvel's RV La Marguerite river ship, with delicious meals prepared onboard by passionate chefs using fresh, local ingredients.
Visit local artisans
The perfect way to appreciate local culture while also having the chance to buy some unique souvenirs is to visit local artisans in Cambodia and Vietnam. These are often producers who are small on scale but big on skill. In the Cambodian village of Koh Chen, visit home workshops to see local copper and silversmiths plying their trade. The Vietnamese town of Tan Chau boasts similar artisans, while in Cai Be you'll be able to see how rice paper, one of the staples of Vietnamese cuisine, is made.
See Vietnam's stilt-house villages
Just as the floating villages are a fascinating part of Cambodian life, so are the stilt-house villages in neighbouring Vietnam. Local Vietnamese people in the Mekong area have used these simple, rustic dwellings for centuries. They're often not just places to sleep, but also kitchens, workshops and social spaces. This is riverside life in Vietnam at its most unadulterated.
Travel the traditional way
It's undoubtedly stylish aboard the RV La Marguerite river ship – however, there are other, more traditional ways to travel during this trip. One is a Travelmarvel "Insider Experience", taking a short ox-cart ride through rural Cambodia, moving through the country in the same way many locals do. Another is to transfer to a small riverboat to see the tiny tributaries that run off the Mekong in Vietnam – the perfect window into local life.
Discover culture in comfort
You don't have to go far to find local culture aboard the RV La Marguerite – in fact local culture will come to you. Onboard the river ship you'll hear lectures from local guides on Cambodian and Vietnamese culture, plus enjoy performances of Khmer song and dance on selected evenings, and learn a few simple recipes from the ship's executive chef.
This article was produced in association with Travelmarvel.
Discover captivating Vietnam and Cambodia – from the captivating countryside to rich cultural heritage, Travelmarvel gives you the freedom to explore at your leisure.
For more information visit travelmarvel.com.au/discover/vietnam-cambodia-2018, call 1300 208 712 or contact your travel agent.
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