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Arrive
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Day 1 Aqua Mekong, Cambodia
This morning, transfer from Siem Reap to the banks of Tonle Sap
Lake where you board the Aqua Mekong and check in to your
air-conditioned Design Suite.
Your sailing begins on the Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia's
largest expanse of freshwater. Millions of Cambodians rely on these
waters for their livelihood and, indeed, many live in boat
dwellings on the lake. Birdlife also makes the Tonle Sap its home
and you may spot blue-tailed bee-eaters or pied kingfishers as you
sail along.
After a gourmet lunch on board, take to a skiff to visit the
lakeside village of Kampong Khleang, inaccessible by road for a
significant part of the year. The village houses sit on wooden
stilts high above the lake in dry months but just skirting its
surface in the wet season. Whilst you will see the occasional TV
aerial and local people using mobile telephones, the way of life
here has actually changed very little for centuries, working paddy fields for rice and the waters of the lake for
fish.
Overnight: Aqua Mekong
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Day 2 Tonle Sap Lake - Moat Kla
After breakfast, continue from Kampong Khleang to Moat Kla, a
secluded fishing village in Tonle Sap's south-eastern reaches,
where you will be able to meet and converse with the local
residents via a translator. The people who inhabit this area
arrived long before the formalities of international boundaries and
are mainly Vietnamese of descent. Whilst such communities are very
isolated and a world away from where you may call home, you will
spot floating 'convenience stores' selling everything from fishing
equipment to beer and vegetables.
This afternoon you will visit the village's Buddhist temple for
a special blessing ceremony. The temple is home to just four
Buddhist monks.
Overnight: Aqua Mekong
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Day 3 Tonle Sap Lake - Chnok Tru - Tonle Sap River -Koh Chen
This morning, head by skiff to Chnok Tru, a self-sufficient lake
village. Your route will take you winding past floating schools and
police stations, pagodas, shops and riverside churches. Your visit
to Chnok Tru will include an ice factory, where you will learn how
ice is produced and kept for fish preservation, a monumental
challenge in this humid, hot climate and in villages where
electricity supply is virtually non-existent.
Re-joining Aqua Mekong, sail on past Kampong Tralach, the site
of ancient Lovek, Cambodia's capital before the Siamese ravaged
Angkor in 1431. The site was often visited by travelling
missionaries and early traders from Europe in the 16th
and 17th centuries. Continue on to Koh Chen, 'Chinese
Island' in the Khmer language. Here skilled artisans craft silver
and copper objects used in Buddhist ceremonies. Should the monks be
residing during your visit, there will be the opportunity to
witness a traditional Buddhist blessing at Koh Chen's pagoda.
Overnight: Aqua Mekong
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Day 4 Tonle Sap River - Phnom Penh
During the cool hours of the morning, sail south-eastwards towards Phnom Penh, stopping en route at Koh Oknha Tey. This region is known for its silk producing islands and you’re welcome to wander freely around the village to watch the artisans at work. Take a bike ride further inland to explore the beautiful island. This afternoon, sail on south towards Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital.
Overnight: Aqua Mekong
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Day 5 Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is a capital in transition. Art Deco buildings,
Buddhist temples, French colonial villas and vintage cyclos recall
an older world, whilst the 21st century introduces
modern cars, boutique hotels, chic stores and high rise
skyscrapers. After disembarking the MV Aqua Mekong, join a motorized
tuk tuk to explore some of the city's most important sites
including the Royal Palace and the National Museum of Cambodia.
Your sailing ends at Phnom Penh.
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Depart