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The mighty Mekong River is the heart and soul of mainland Southeast Asia. Its annual flood and drought cycles still influence the daily life of its population as surely as they defined its history. We'll navigate this endlessly colourful and engrossing river upstream from ancient Saigon to the splendour of Angkor.
Our journey begins in vibrant and bustling Ho Chi Minh City, the economic centre of Vietnam. Embarking the R.V. Mekong Pandaw at My Tho, we begin our 8-day cruise on the Mekong. We'll experience the rich life of the river, visiting traditional riverboat makers and Cham tribal villages. We'll cross the border at tiny Chau Doc and continue upriver to the Cambodian capital, a charming colonial city with several impressive wats. Beyond Phnom Penh our river experience becomes rural again, with lovely scenery, timeless villages and extensive fishing activities. We wind our way through jungle up the narrow Tonle River to the great lake that dominates Cambodia, Tonle Sap. We'll take a motorboat excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the river, where a stunning variety of birds may be seen.
Our floating hotel, the R.V. Mekong Pandaw, accommodates us in comfort, style and colonial character. Finished in brass and teak by traditional craftsmen, the vessel itself is an object of beauty. Its very shallow draft allows it to travel to remote areas which would be unreachable by other vessels, greatly enhancing our explorations.
Our journey culminates with the grandeur of Angkor, one of the greatest wonders of Indochina. The ancient capital is a complex of temples, tombs, palaces, moats, reservoirs and causeways, built over a period of 400 years by various Hindu and Buddhist rulers. We'll spend three nights in Siem Reap, exploring some of the impressive and extensive ruins. more
Join us as we enjoy the stunning scenery, fascinating history and delightfully hospitable people along the Mekong River.
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| FACTS: |
| • | 13 days (8-day cruise) |
| • | Maximum 66 passengers |
| • | Start in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and finish in Siem Reap, Cambodia |
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| ACTIVITY LEVEL: |
| • | Easy to Moderate: You will be getting in and out of boats and vehicles, walking at a leisurely pace, with frequent stops, on ground that is sometimes rough and/or uneven. Some trails may be wet and will have to be traversed carefully but are accessible to anyone who has normal walking ability and stamina. |
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| SHIP: RV Mekong Pandaw |
| LIMIT: 64 passengers | |
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| ITINERARY IN BRIEF: |
| Day 1: |
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Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 2: |
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Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 3: |
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Drive to My Tho, embark Pandaw |
| Day 4: |
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Cai Be, Vinh Long, Sa Dec, Culao Gien, Chau Doc |
| Day 5: |
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Chau Doc, cross to Cambodia |
| Day 6: |
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Phnom Penh |
| Day 7: |
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Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham |
| Day 8: |
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Kampong Cham Area |
| Day 9: |
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Tonle River |
| Day 10: |
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Tonle Sap, disembark Pandaw, drive to Siem Reap |
| Day 11: |
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Siem Reap |
| Day 12: |
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Siem Reap, Beng Mealea |
| Day 13: |
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Depart Siem Reap |
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 After finishing his Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology in 1973 at Cornell University, Dr. Euler worked as a Wildlife Habitat Biologist for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), was a Research Scientist and then became a Senior Policy Advisor in the Forest Management Branch. He was part of the Ministry team that wrote the Crown Forest Sustainability Act and the forest management planning manual. In 1995 he became Dean of the Faculty of Forestry and the Forest Environment at Lakehead University, where he taught fish and wildlife ecology and forest management. He has published scientific papers on forest - wildlife habitat management, and was an editor and chapter author of a book titled "The Ecology of a Managed Terrestrial Landscape: Patterns and Process in the Forests of Ontario". He is also an Associate Editor of the Journal of Wildlife Management.
Following retirement in 2001, Dr. Euler has worked as a consultant in forest and wildlife management including: auditing forest management plans, technical consultations with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and providing advice on forest landscape management in Ontario. He served on the Ontario Provincial Forest Technical Committee for 4 years and was involved in developing the Boreal Standard for the Forest Stewardship Council. He wrote a report on High Conservation Value Forests in the Algoma Region, for use by Clergue Forest Management as part of the certification audit for the Forest Stewardship Council.
Dr Euler also developed and conducted workshops on forest management planning in Ontario to help members of the public participate in the planning process. During 2006, Dr. Euler served as a technical consultant to the Commission on Environmental Cooperation concerning the context, constitutional basis for, and scope of the Migratory Bird Regulations with respect to incidental take of migratory birds. He was a regional coordinator and participant in the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas for Region 34, an area along the Highway 17 near Thessalon, Ontario.
Currently Dr. Euler also edited a book entitled "Algonquin Park: the human impact". This book is a scientific analysis of the impact of people on Algonquin Provincial Park. It includes chapters on fish and wildlife, road development, visitor impacts and the changes wrought by logging in the Park. It is intended to be a "State of the Park" report to establish a base line for ecological values in this specific Park.
Dr Euler has traveled widely in South and Central America, Africa and parts of Asia, as well as most states and provinces in North America. He lives near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
416-633-5666 / 1-800-387-1483
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