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Day 7

Binh Thanh Island

We travelled to Binh Thanh Island, near Sa Dec on a traditional sampan which wove through the narrow channels of the delta and its man-made canals. The island has a population of more than 20,000 and thanks to the island’s enriched soil, courtesy of the Mekong’s alluvial plain, most of local people make their living through agriculture; growing tropical fruits and vegetables.

 

On the island, we visit an unspoiled local community where every villager is involved in the process of growing and processing water hyacinths into natural fibre floor mats and rattan baskets. I had a go at weaving, and although the process was quite simple it was very difficult to find a rhythm and I was about 10 times slower than the village ladies. Then we wandered down the main village street to the pagoda and met two of the village elders and listened to their stories of life in the village and were able to ask questions about them and the village. Heritage Lines supports this village and has paid for a number of repairs to the pagoda and other provided other essential items such as a well to make life easier for the village people. 

 

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Cai Be & Phu An

The tour starts with a visit to Cai Be by boat. Cruise among the colorful floating market where traders from all provinces around the Mekong delta gather in a cacophonous congregation selling and buying fresh fruits and vegetables. We continue further with a languid ride to Phu An, viewing breathtaking landscapes along the river, and passing Cai Be’s beautiful gothic cathedral. The evergreen islands and rustic life here on the Mekong delta remains unknown to many people. The cruise will halt intermittently at an authentic home workshop to allow us to observe how rice paste, rice cookies and coconut candies are made, along with the Longan fruit drying process. After touring the canals, we head to an ancient house surrounded by fruit orchards before heading back to the ship for dinner.

 

Note: We opted not to do this tour. However, other passengers said it was a bit long in the boat and didn’t rave about it.

Siem Reap

Tonle River

Kampong Cham

Kampong Cham

Koh Oknha Tei

Kampong Chhang

Kampong Chhang

Kampong Tralach

Phnom Penh

 

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh

Border Crossing

Tan Chau

Tan Chau

My An Hung

Sa Dec

Sa Dec

Cai Be

My Tho

My Tho

Ho Chi Minh

Farewell dinner & Photo CD

The ship departs on a tranquil evening cruise towards My Tho, approximately 70km south of Saigon on the upper Mekong river in Vietnam.

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Welcome to a sparkling wine toast on the sun deck as we introduce all the crew and bid farewell, followed by dancing with the crew to show their skills ns enjoy the chance to mingle and enjoy the last evening with you. Bring your camera for some great group shots with your fellow passengers and the crew.

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Our cruise on the magnificent cruiser comes to an end as the ship winds its way to My Tho where we will moor overnight.

 

Note: Kindly settle your accounts after dinner. You will be rewarded with a CD of the photo slideshow.

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