Chelsea Cruises the Mekong

I recently returned from a Mekong River journey from Phnom Penh, Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on-board The Jahan. It was all about meeting and interacting with the local people and seeing how they live, while enjoying luxurious amenities on your small ship. I now believe that cruising the Mekong is a great, unique way to experience Vietnam & Cambodia. 

Our Ship - The Jahan

With just 26 spacious cabins, each with private balcony, it is like a boutique hotel on the water.  You never feel crowded and always are made to feel special by the outstanding staff on-board;  all staff are engaging, warm, friendly and really do make the experience a memorable one.  They go above and beyond and care about each guest’s time whilst you are a part of the Jahan family.

Watching the world float by

Our mornings would begin with a delicious breakfast, followed by a 2-3 hour excursion on land.  Mixing with the locals is fantastic as they are as curious about us, as we are of them!!  You have the chance to truly experience local village life whilst soaking in the smiles from the children, the local products, food and hospitality.  You then board the ship, prepare your stomach for lunch, and cruise further along the Mekong.  After lunch you again have a shore excursion which is always led by an experienced English speaking guide.  (HINT: Remember to book in a massage to relax your muscles before getting ready for an A La Carte dinner!)

Local Children are all smiles

Having previously travelled extensively within Asia, I found the river cruise to be such a unique way to get off the beaten track while enjoying luxury.  There is also an on-board pool, located on the top deck, which is great to relax in and watch the world float by!

Travel Indochina took care of our pre-cruise touring in Ho Chi Minh City, which is a vibrant and fast paced city;  a complete contrast to what you see along the Mekong!  Ho Chi Minh City is rapidly growing and is an easy city to spend a few nights in.  Crossing the road is interesting though……just keep going in a straight line and hope for the best!!

Our next stop was Cambodia;  there is a big contrast in culture between Cambodia and Vietnam, so it is a good idea to combine both countries if you have the time.  We were fortunate enough to stay at Raffles in Siem Reap and were able to soak up the old world charm from their glamorous rooms and white glove service.
Thanks must go to Travel Indochina for one of the highlights of our trip. Picking us up before sunrise from Raffles, they took us on a tuk-tuk ride to the Angkor Wat complex where we witnessed the colours change over the magnificent archaeological site.

Chelsea @ Angkor Wat

It’s the people and culture which really leave an imprint on your experience.  Both Vietnam and Cambodia have such fascinating histories which the local people are happy to engage in their personal accounts with you.  The feeling of cruising along the Mekong is one that I highly recommend, and the ambiance on-board The Jahan makes it the perfect ship to choose.

Next cruise on my list is the Orient Express river cruise in Burma……..!!  

Written by Chelsea Stanley, a member of our Mentone Team

For more information regarding this and MORE please visit
www.destinationhq.com.au

Sophie's Sabah Getaway

Sabah is an East Malaysian State on Borneo Island, and only a short 2 hour and 40 minute flight from Kuala Lumpur.  It is an amazing destination that boasts a variety of ancient rainforests, endless beaches and amazing wildlife. The Asian cuisine is sensational, and the shopping will keep you occupied for hours. 

I was lucky enough to spend a week in Sabah last month, with my journey starting in the states capital Kota Kinabalu.  Kota Kinabalu, or as the locals call it KK, is a modern city where the streets are clean and the people are welcoming. Kota Kinabalu certainly has something to offer for all types of travellers young and old. For the adventurous explorer, the Tunku Abdul Rhman Park is a cluster of islands only 20 minutes from Kota Kinabalu. The islands offer brilliant scuba diving and snorkelling; you can even do your complete PADI course here! For families there is more than enough to do. Visit the Mari Mari cultural village and see how the Borneo tribes used to live; it is a very hands on and educational experience, brilliant for children!  The Shangri la Rasa Ria is a must for couples and families. This 5 star resort is exceptional and in a league of its own. It is only a 45 minute drive from Kota Kinabalu, and located on the beautiful Pantai Dalit Beach.  (HINT: Treat yourself to a sea view room and you won’t be disappointed). The resorts facilities are outstanding; it even has its own 64 acre Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre! Once you go to the Shangri la Rasa Ria you will never want to leave!

Blowpipe hunting

Cooking Class

Sandakan is only a short 40 minute flight from Kota Kinabalu and was our next stop. The city itself feels untouched by tourists compared to Kota Kinabalu and provides a great insight into the daily life of the local people. When staying in Sandakan you can’t go past the Four Points By Sheraton; this brand new hotel oozes class and is located right on the waterfront close to restaurants and markets. Sandakan is a great base for seeing the Orang-utans in Sepilok and the Proboscis Monkeys at Labuk Bay. Seeing the Orang-utans is a surreal experience, all orang-utans are going through a rehabilitation process and at any point they have the freedom to fend for themselves. Given this, it is never guaranteed how many you will get to see in one feeding session. So it is recommended to attend the morning feeding session at 10am as more Orang-utans come out to play for breakfast. You even have the opportunity to adopt one of the orang-utans and receive updates of their progress. The Proboscis Monkeys are also a must do, you get the opportunity to get right up close to the monkeys. I could have watched them for hours while they frolicked around me.

Gelison – My adopted Orang-utan 

Orang-utan during 10AM feeding session 

Sabah is a great destination for any type of holiday or traveler  I really enjoyed my week there and would love to go back and explore some more! 

The Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

The Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

Written by Sophie Anderson, a member of our Beaumaris office. 

Please visit www.destinationhq.com.au for contact information and more great stories!

New York; Words will never do you justice.

Rooftop Bar at the MET. Amazing in Summer.

Yankee Stadium

Central Park. A hidden paradise.

Hop On, Hop Off Night tour of Brooklyn

Sunset Cruise along the Hudson River

Destination HQ

At DESTINATION HQ we inspire you to travel different. Experience travel that is redefined. We make your travel experience all about YOU. We will be with you every step of the way – helping make your dream trip a reality, with meticulous attention to detail, using our travel experience and knowledge. And with access to the best deals in the industry DESTINATION HQ can offer you the best price, first time, every time. So travel different. Travel redefined. Travel with DESTINATION HQ.