A Journey on the Mekong

 

The mighty Mekong River flows through the heart of South East Asia: rising from the Tibetan Plateau and passing through China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, it is the world’s tenth longest river system. Flowing through gorges, swift rapids, mirror-like lakes and vast fertile floodplains - over 60 million people depend on it for food, water and transport. Intriguingly, only the Amazon basin boasts a higher biodiversity than the Mekong; it’s particularly known for its giant fish – catfish and carp can both grow to 9 feet long. Most of all, our journey along this amazing natural marvel explores the fascinating waterborne worlds along its banks, from floating villages, stilt houses, colourful floating markets and the thousands of local boats of all shapes and sizes plying its mud-coloured waters. Our fascinating tour starts in Cambodia with a stay in the charming town of Siem Reap, gateway to the incredible complex of temples within the ancient city of Angkor.

At its height in the thirteenth century, with a staggering one million inhabitants, Angkor was the world’s largest city and capital of the fabulously wealthy Khmer Empire stretching from Thailand, through Laos and Cambodia into southern Vietnam. This is the largest complex of religious buildings ever created, an almost inconceivable 200 such temples spread over 150 square miles in a truly astonishing fusion of Hinduism and Buddhism. Angkor’s  incredible state of preservation, beauty of its design and artistry of its sculptures have for many, made it one of the great wonders of the world and it is truly breathtaking. ‘Stepping back in  time’ is a much-used cliché, but as our amazing Mekong journey unfolds through some stunning countryside, it is not too strong an expression to use: farmers bent almost double underneath their  traditional conical hats work in fields which disappear into the distance, whilst docile water buffalo methodically plough the rice paddies until the sun sets in a tropical blood-red explosion of  colour.

On the river we pass tiny sampans being rowed to market, seemingly over-loaded with everything from a huge variety of colourful vegetables and ripe fruit, to an imponderable number of  bicycles! Lining the riverbanks are wooden houses, balancing precariously on stilts or gently bobbing on floating rafts of bamboo whilst giggling kneehigh children peep at the strange tall  westerners gliding gently by. Beautifully located at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, wondrous Phnom Penh, long considered the most beautiful of the ‘French’ cities of Indochina with its vibrant waterfront ambience, is probably one of Asia’s most intriguing cities. Almost completely depopulated during Pol Pot’s notorious regime, the city is again full of life and thriving once more. Crossing into Vietnam, both the people and landscape change and a faster pace of life and increased river traffic become evident. Vietnam has for the past two millennia been ruled by the Chinese, Khmers, Portuguese and the Japanese all leaving legacies in the temples and pagodas, together with palaces, fortresses and innumerable other buildings in every style imaginable. Then came the French, who contributed cathedrals, fine mansions and neo-classical public buildings, not forgetting excellent baguettes and pastries – quite an eclectic mix!

The mighty Mekong River flows through the heart of South East Asia: rising from the Tibetan Plateau and passing through China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, it is the world’s tenth longest river system. Flowing through gorges, swift rapids, mirror-like lakes and vast fertile floodplains - over 60 million people depend on it for food, water and transport. Intriguingly, only the Amazon basin boasts a higher biodiversity than the Mekong; it’s particularly known for its giant fish – catfish and carp can both grow to 9 feet long. Most of all, our journey along this amazing natural marvel explores the fascinating waterborne worlds along its banks, from floating villages, stilt houses, colourful floating markets and the thousands of local boats of all shapes and sizes plying its mud-coloured waters. Our fascinating tour starts in Cambodia with a stay in the charming town of Siem Reap, gateway to the incredible complex of temples within the ancient city of Angkor.

At its height in the thirteenth century, with a staggering one million inhabitants, Angkor was the world’s largest city and capital of the fabulously wealthy Khmer Empire stretching from Thailand, through Laos and Cambodia into southern Vietnam. This is the largest complex of religious buildings ever created, an almost inconceivable 200 such temples spread over 150 square miles in a truly astonishing fusion of Hinduism and Buddhism. Angkor’s  incredible state of preservation, beauty of its design and artistry of its sculptures have for many, made it one of the great wonders of the world and it is truly breathtaking. ‘Stepping back in  time’ is a much-used cliché, but as our amazing Mekong journey unfolds through some stunning countryside, it is not too strong an expression to use: farmers bent almost double underneath their  traditional conical hats work in fields which disappear into the distance, whilst docile water buffalo methodically plough the rice paddies until the sun sets in a tropical blood-red explosion of  colour.

On the river we pass tiny sampans being rowed to market, seemingly over-loaded with everything from a huge variety of colourful vegetables and ripe fruit, to an imponderable number of  bicycles! Lining the riverbanks are wooden houses, balancing precariously on stilts or gently bobbing on floating rafts of bamboo whilst giggling kneehigh children peep at the strange tall  westerners gliding gently by. Beautifully located at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, wondrous Phnom Penh, long considered the most beautiful of the ‘French’ cities of Indochina with its vibrant waterfront ambience, is probably one of Asia’s most intriguing cities. Almost completely depopulated during Pol Pot’s notorious regime, the city is again full of life and thriving once more. Crossing into Vietnam, both the people and landscape change and a faster pace of life and increased river traffic become evident. Vietnam has for the past two millennia been ruled by the Chinese, Khmers, Portuguese and the Japanese all leaving legacies in the temples and pagodas, together with palaces, fortresses and innumerable other buildings in every style imaginable. Then came the French, who contributed cathedrals, fine mansions and neo-classical public buildings, not forgetting excellent baguettes and pastries – quite an eclectic mix!

Supplier info: Riviera Travel

Since their inception 25 years ago, Riviera Travel have endeavoured to exceed the expectations of the discerning traveller, on their fascinating and innovative European and Worldwide escorted tours.

They have passion for quality and looking after all their guests in the most personal manner possible and really ‘go the extra mile'. Over the years they have received many commendations from many household names in the publishing industry. They have recently been voted by the members of one of the country's most respected consumer organisations in their biannual survey of travel companies, as one of the UK's top two Tour Operators and the most outstanding of all in terms of value for money - by some considerable margin.

Riviera Travel offers European and Worldwide Escorted Tours by Eurostar and by Air.

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