2016/17 - TM Burma

24 Day 15. Disembark Ship, Mandalay, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Disembark your ship after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Vietnam's southern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. Be met at the airport and transfer to your luxurious hotel. Special Stay – be close to the action at the central Grand Hotel Saigon, an elegant hotel that blends French-colonial style with fine modern amenities. Stay (Three Nights): Ho Chi Minh City, Grand Hotel Saigon. B Day 16. Ho Chi Minh City. You may like to step out to wander the streets of Ho Chi Minh City at leisure during free time this morning, or perhaps relax at your wonderful hotel. Later, explore the sights of Ho Chi Minh City on an orientation tour. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. BD Day 17. Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City. This morning visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the Vietnam War. Used by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during combat, they also served as communication and supply routes, hospitals, weapon caches and living quarters for numerous guerrilla fighters. Afterwards, return to Ho Chi Minh City where the rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure. Enhance Your Journey: You may like to take a guided Jeep Military History Tour of the city, or perhaps explore the artistic side of Ho Chi Minh City (see page 26 for details). BL Day 18. Ho Chi Minh City, Embark Cruise. Depart Ho Chi Minh City for the mighty Mekong River, which forms the arterial river through southern Vietnam and Cambodia. Floating villages line the tributaries of this lush region and swathes of paddy fields stretch into the horizon. Quaint riverside towns and sleepy rural villages lend the Mekong a unique charm. Board your river ship, the RV La Marguerite, and this evening, after settling in to your suite, enjoy a Welcome Dinner on board. Stay (Seven Nights): RV La Marguerite. BLD Day 19. Cai Be, Sa Dec. A local boat will take you this morning to the river-land town of Cai Be. Go ashore to see Cai Be's French Gothic Cathedral and visit a local rice paper manufacturer. Then after lunch, take a boat ride to Sa Dec and disembark for a walking tour. Here, you'll see Huynh Thuy Le's old house (once the lover of French writer Marguerite Duras). Afterwards, return to your ship for dinner with your fellow passengers. BLD Day 20. Tan Chau. Today, transfer to a small boat and travel along the Mekong's tiny tributaries where stilt houses lean on each other haphazardly. Go ashore for a tour of Tan Chau by rickshaw, and get a real insight into life on the Mekong. Visit fascinating local artisan workshops then re-board your ship, where the remainder of today is then spent relaxing on board. This afternoon, perhaps attend an informative lecture on Vietnam in the ship's lounge before dinner. BLD Day 21. Border Crossing, Phnom Penh. Spend today on board as your ship cruises to the Cambodian border. Perhaps head to the Sun Deck and make the most of the riverside views, sunshine, reclining lounges, the swimming pool and cold drinks from the bar. This afternoon, you might like to attend a fruit- carving demonstration by the ship's chef while border formalities are carried out and you cross into Vietnam. Tonight, as your ship cruises towards the famous Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, perhaps watch a documentary about Pol Pot, leader of the Khmer Rouge, and learn more about the chilling history of this beautiful part of the world. BLD Day 22. Phnom Penh. In Phnom Penh today, join an excursion to the infamous Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, on the site of the Khmer Rouge's notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21). This afternoon, a tour then takes you to visit the magnificent Royal Palace, which is the official residence of the King of Cambodia. You'll also see the opulent Silver Pagoda, located within the Royal Palace complex. Afterwards, perhaps step out for an evening walk. BLD Day 23. Phnom Penh, Koh Chen. Enjoy the scenery along the banks of the Mekong River as the RV La Marguerite cruises to Koh Chen today, a small village specialising in silver and copperware. Stroll through the village and visit some home-workshops that manufacture handmade copper souvenirs. BLD Marvel at Angkor's Bayon Temple in Cambodia – www.travelmarvel.com.au –

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