Exploring Cambodia And Vietnam Through The Eyes Of “La Marguerite”

Most cruise lines find to provide its shoppers with what I contact the “Best Of” vacation (e.g., “See the Best of the Mediterranean: From Scenic Livorno to the Seascapes of San Tropez”). Whilst this is almost certainly a very beautiful way to sail and discover, I normally want to encounter all of what a place has to offer you, and if that usually means hoping a deep-fried tarantula as so not to offend the custom made of devouring this sort of a take care of, then so be it.

Fortunately, there are cruises that will venture to places that envelope the cultural core of a place with no distributing rose-colored eyeglasses. The Sydney Morning Herald just lately cruised on the La Marguerite, for an eight-working day, seven-evening cruise together the Mekong River from Siem Enjoy to Ho Chi Minh City, with excursions beyond the breathtaking temples and ornate palaces (you will see these too) of Cambodia and Vietnam. Visits from the boat incorporate, but are not limited to: a customized tour of the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng genocide museum in Phnom Penh, a catfish farm, a rice sprucing factory, a silk coloring workshop in Tan Chau, a brick kiln close to Sa Dec, and the floating marketplaces all around Cai Be.

You can likely guess the identify La Marguerite is not of Cambodian or Vietnamese origin, but is French. The ship’s id belongs to the French novelist, Marguerite Duras, whose memoir, The Lover, describes a sultry affair concerning a lousy French woman and a wealthy Chinese man in Vietnam in the nineteen thirties.

The vessel’s deluxe décor emulates refined models from the French colonial period, creating a dreamy placing amidst the raw elegance of the Mekong. Passengers who want to master far more about Duras can board tiny boats to the village of Sa Dec to tour a regional museum developed in her honor, and cruise earlier the house exactly where The Lover was filmed.

Still not intrigued? In that case, you could always choose to lounge on the sundeck even though making the most of cocktails, getting in the sights and appears of the sinuous Mekong. As for the rest? I’m really absolutely sure an awakening to a small country’s darkish heritage, the exploration of intricate trades, and ambling among the pungent still invigorating smells of drifting markets will likely meet up with your  “Best Of” quota.

By Maria Russo

About the Writer

Maria Russo is a freelance author who enjoys purely natural wonders, great eats, ethical travel, and boutique hotels. Her do the job has appeared on the Huffington Article, United states of america Right now.com, People.com and A Luxurious Journey Blog, amid other people.

When Maria is not writing for her all-time favored internet site (that would be The Expeditioner), she spends her time blogging about international jaunts and delectable foods activities for her web page: Memoirs of a Vacation & Food items Addict. She is also up to no excellent on Twitter (@traveladdictgrl, @expedmaria).