It is difficult to believe the words ‘relaxing’ and ‘exciting’ can both be used in the same sentence. They appear to be opposites, but we found that a riverboat cruise was the perfect way to explore Cambodia and Vietnam, and I found myself relaxing on board, whilst enjoying exciting land and water day tours.
We had the best of both worlds!
As a parent, I was able to relax on board. As a child, my pre-teen boy, also found himself enjoying some quality ‘down time’.
And then we found ourselves also both enjoying a wide range of day tours. These were interesting, educational, and often exciting.
Let me share with you some of the fun activities offered to us on our G Adventures cruise.
Angkor Wat
Wander around the ruins of Angkor Wat. Find a dinosaur carved in stone. Ride a mule or horse (I don’t recommend the elephants due to how they are trained, but they are also there to ride).
Loads more fun than just a pile of old ruins and stones.
©Exploramum and Explorason – G Adventures – Cambodia to Vietnam Riverboat Cruise
Cruising Lesson
Explorason is given a lesson by the Captain of the Toum Tiou II, which he really enjoyed. Steering and guiding the vessel through the Mekong waters, of course, was the most fun.
©Exploramum and Explorason – G Adventures – Cambodia to Vietnam Riverboat Cruise – mountain bike cycling
Cycling
We loved cycling through the villages and emerald green rice paddies.
©Exploramum and Explorason – G Adventures – Cambodia to Vietnam Riverboat Cruise – Brickworks kiln
Brick-making demonstration
Whilst this may not sound like fun, Explorason actually had a ball in the rows of bricks, using it as a maze.
I love photographing the children.
©Exploramum and Explorason – G Adventures – Cambodia to Vietnam Riverboat Cruise – pottery lesson
Pottery lesson
The biggest fun here was to see the joy in the local ladies faces as they sold a few of their wares to the passengers.
Another joy to me was laughing with the ladies as they tried to ‘donkey’ each other on their bicycle.
Rice Wine, Palm Trees, and Dress-ups
Walking down to a local farm where we met an old man who taught us about the various rice wines. He was rather ‘merry’ to say the least, which was a load of fun as he swapped hats, drank various wines, and laughed with us.
We were all pretty shocked when he precariously climbed his version of a bamboo ladder which only had once center pole, and then walked over the palm fronds at the top to collect the liquid from the palm fruit.
Here we also dressed in traditional clothing of the Cambodians and learned to balance the bamboo rod and pots on the shoulders and head.
Relaxing Sunset Village Walk
I left Explorason back on board whilst I went for a sunset stroll with a few other passengers through the local village.
We both relaxed. My leisurely walk enabled me to meet and talk with toddlers who blew me kisses, old folks cooking, monks, students and teachers at the school.
©Exploramum and Explorason – G Adventures – Cambodia to Vietnam Riverboat Cruise – sunset
Relaxing with a cocktail or wine
Each afternoon the passengers culminated at the sundeck bar. A perfect place to watch the sun go down and to talk about the fabulous day we had experienced.
Ox Cart Ride and Mountain Bike Riding
In Cambodia, we visited a rather remote area where few tourists go.
The villagers all waved at us and all yelled “hello” as we passed by.
We had the choice of the ox cart ride (rather bumpy but very unique) or to cycle on the mountain bikes.
©Exploramum and Explorason – G Adventures – Cambodia to Vietnam Riverboat Cruise – befriending a monk
Talking With The Monks
One of my favourite ways to relax was to sit and talk with the monks when we visited the temples.
They love to practice their English, and I enjoy showing kindness and friendship.
Do not be surprised when they want to friend you on social media either.
Relax while the locals hand beat copper and silver
Both my eleven-year-old son and I relaxed and enjoyed a walk along the river bank and met several of the locals hard at work. They make jewellery, plates and platters, and also temple adornments.
©Exploramum and Explorason – G Adventures – Cambodia to Vietnam Riverboat Cruise – school lesson
Go Back To School
It was an honour to sit in the open-air classroom of a wise old sage. He had lived through the time of Khmer Rouge and with the help of an interpreter, he talked freely about his life and survival. I can’t remember his exact age, but I think it was around 87 years old.
He had lived through the time of Khmer Rouge and with the help of an interpreter, he talked freely about his life and survival. I can’t remember his exact age, but I think it was around 87 years old.
I can’t remember his exact age, but I think it was around 87 years old.
Cyclo Around Phnom Penh
Our G Adventure Tour included a one and a half hour cycle around this vibrant city. It was also Saturday evening and the traffic was thick, so there was much excitement as we darted between cars, scooters, motorbikes and pedestrians. Somehow the group all managed to not lose anyone in the traffic, and considering these were all single carriages, I think that was a superb effort.
It was also Saturday evening and the traffic was thick, so there was much excitement as we darted between cars, scooters, motorbikes, and pedestrians. Somehow the group all managed to not lose anyone in the traffic and considering these were all single carriages, I think that was a superb effort.
Somehow the group all managed to not lose anyone in the traffic, and considering these were all single carriages, I think that was a superb effort.
©Exploramum and Explorason – G Adventures – Cambodia to Vietnam Riverboat Cruise – street food – edible spiders and bugs
Eat Insects, Spiders, And Bugs
Whilst not for everyone, the brave can try street food. This includes crispy critters of the crawling kind.
Relax and Watch the Orphanage Children Dance
Help support local orphanage with your donation. These orphans from Nacopca Orphanage laughed as they danced on board our river boat cruise one evening.
A Sombre Lesson
Whilst not fun, a visit to S21 and the Killing Fields is offered by G Adventure Cruises. This is suitable for older children and parents only. We chose to go to the S21 Torture Centre which once was a high school, but decided to decline the visit to The Killing Fields as my son thought it was too upsetting.
This is suitable for older children and parents only and not suitable for smaller children IMO. We chose to go to the S21 Torture Centre which once was a high school, but decided to decline the visit to The Killing Fields as my son thought it was too upsetting.
We chose to go to the S21 Torture Centre which once was a high school, but decided to decline the visit to The Killing Fields as my son thought it was too upsetting.
©Exploramum and Explorason – G Adventures – Cambodia to Vietnam Riverboat Cruise – sunrise
Watch The Sunrise And Sunset
Nothing beats a riverboat cruise as the sun rises and sinks over the water. Both Explorason and I found we rose early on several mornings just to capture God’s glorious painting of the sky.
On several evenings the sundeck also became a gathering point for this daily event.
©Exploramum and Explorason – G Adventures – Cambodia to Vietnam Riverboat Cruise – sunset
As the sun sinks we head onto Vietnam.
Look out for our next article on all the great things we enjoyed with G Adventures in Vietnam.
(Our cruise will continue for over a week so watch for our next article)
Watch our YouTube Video for more about this exciting cruise
Phone: +1 720 506 4317
Website: G Adventures Mekong Cruise
Facebook: G Adventures
Note: This cruise is only suitable for children 12 years or older.
