Cruising the Mekong Delta – The Antithesis of a Groundhog Day Vacation
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Our crossing into Vietnam was a quiet day of family time — playing chess with the nephews, chronicling my adventures so that I wouldn’t lose track of every place we visited, to an evening of watching Mom and Dad teach a class of Ballroom & Latin dance to our fellow passengers.
Vietnam was filled with new experiences — visiting markets along the banks of the Mekong river as well as sailing past floating markets, to visiting specialty silk shops, learning about snake wine, exploring jungles and riding through an island town on a rickshaw.
This was all so different from all the war stories I’d heard about while growing up. This was a different reality — nothing as I had expected — simply welcomed by the locals at every turn.
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Finally, click on Page 4 below to get some tips on what to expect when sailing aboard a river ship and what you’ll need to prepare for when you travel to South East Asia.
Fabulous array of photos, Danny – thanks! This really would be so up my alley with my love of Asia over quite a few decades. For a currently single person also a foolproof and safe way to experience the spectrum of life. I would love being away from all the media and, although Caucasian, I do not think I would be out of my comfort zone for one moment!! Oh the history and colour and those wonderfully inquisitive children!!!
Thank you Eha! You should definitely add a river cruise to your vacation options. It’s smooth sailing the entire way and not overwhelming given the number of passengers. It’s funny what you mentioned about being Caucasian because even though I’m obviously Asian, I stood out like a sore thumb — must have been the hat LOL. And yes, the children were wonderful around every turn — lots of “hellos” and constant smiles and waves. Be sure to let me know if you do take the plunge! 🙂
A fabulous article, I especially enjoyed the photos, they certainly added depth to your post! I’ve never taken a cruise of any kind, perhaps the longest boat ride ever was the Singapore to Tioman ferry, which then took 5 hours and that was 5 hours too long!! Of course, a cruise is something else altogether, you make it sound terribly enticing!
And like you, I cannot understand the logic behind going back to the same place every year! But I always thought that it was a particularly British habit!
Thank you for an enjoyable read! xx
Hello Azlin! I’m glad you enjoyed my story and photos. You definitely need to consider a river cruise as maybe a first step to the world of cruising and yes, it’s nothing like that 5 hour ferry ride 🙂 I understand that going back to the same place is “safe” and you can be sure you’ll enjoy your holiday, but there is just so much of the world to see so I say, explore and enjoy the journey! 🙂 Thank you again and all the best! Danny
Fascinating and very informative, Danny! I share your same views on vacations—I enjoy the opportunity to discover someplace new, though I’ve never traveled anywhere as exciting as Cambodia and Vietnam! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, experiences and amazing photography!
Hi Emily — and honestly, this trip is one I didn’t even have on my bucket list until it just presented itself when we started thinking about the possibilities and knowing that we would be in this part of the globe. You just never know and sometimes you just have to go with the flow 🙂 Thanks for the great comments!
Love this and I have so many friends who say they go to the same place each year because it is easy and comfortable. My family we love the adventure and experiences the different people, food, smells etc. We are heading to Colombia soon to explore and in the fall I plan to travel to Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos with my husband and a boat on the Mekong has been discussed. Now seeing all these photos I am getting excited to get back to explore new parts of Southeast Asia.
Hi Jordan. I hope you have a wonderful time in Columbia — never been so you’ll have to let me know 🙂 The Fall in SE Asia should be a great time. I hope you have a chance to see all the amazing temples in Cambodia. Also be sure to check out my other stories on Cambodia and Vietnam here on the site to give you a preview of what you’ll see in person. All the best and thank you for visiting us!