Monday, December 5, 2011

Why Not Take a Boat Trip on the Mekong River This Year

By Ian Smith


When you are thinking about your next holiday, I don't know whether you have ever thought about a journey along the Mekong River. For those unfamiliar with this part of south east Asia the Mekong River is undoubtedly its most important transport system.Laos and Cambodia and Vietnam are divided by the Mekong River.

History lets us see the French being the major colonial power but really it is the Mekong that has had the most important impact. The Mekong River is synonymous with the war in Vietnam, and the name has been involved in wars going back several centuries.It is good not to associate the Mekong River with a war, but instead to talk about it in the context of holidays.

The real point surely is why on earth choose the Mekong River. Look no farther than the edge of the river and where the river is situated. It's all about history and the significance of the river as a trading route, this means there is much to see and do.

Historically the river was the main road of the country, and so many of the temples and the towns and villages were on the banks. There are beautiful Khmer temples, villages that time has passed by, and busy markets all along the river. Writing about it is no way to describe the sheer wondrous beauty, you have to go for yourself.

A cruise down the Mekong will take only three days, and can be taken on beautifully restored barges with a handful of cabins. Not only will you be extremely comfortable, but the sights from the polished wooden decks are almost unbelievable. The Laos part of the river is especially breathtaking, which by the way will have a few fascinating excursions.

You will visit some of the country's most important sites. Wat Phou is on the list and it is ancient, even before the Angkor Empire.These include Wat Phou which dates before the Angkor Empire. Don't miss Phapheng the roaring waterfalls that are the largest in Asia. Another thing you definitely won't miss are the four thousand islands on the river as it gets close to Cambodia.

If time is not pressing, there are cruises that last up to 22 days.Here you will leave Laos behind and go through Cambodia and Vietnam. You will depart on the longer cruise from Houey Sai in Laos, ending some three weeks later in Saigon Vietnam. These cruises leave from Houey Sai in Laos and finish in Saigon nearly three weeks later. They also include nights ashore on the banks of the river. Laotian hospitality is world class as you will find on your river cruise. You are unbelievably well looked after and the food is excellent, and the accommodation very comfortable.Everything is included as well as increasing your knowledge about the sometimes violent history of this part of south east Asia.




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