terry&mike

We departed the Scenic Spirit in My Tho, Vietnam at 8:15a. We had one bathroom stop along the way and arrived at the Caravelle Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City at 10:30a. 
 

At this point, we said our goodbyes and split from the group. Some were headed to the airport, some were staying on at the Caravelle independently, some were staying on at the Caravelle as part of a continuing Scenic program. 
 

Mike and I, along with another couple, walked 15 minutes to the Silverland Yen hotel, located very close to the main market. We were all allowed to check in early. Interesting that in all the thousands of hotels here, they were staying in the same one as us. The hotel is well located and well rated, and offers a great value with nice rooms with breakfast and afternoon tea with snacks included. We paid about $158 total for 2 nights. 
 

Our dear friend, and likely one of the best guides in Vietnam, Xuan Le, came by a little after 5p. We went for sunset and craft cocktails at the Chill Sky Bar, then for a great dinner of seafood curry, duck breast, and lamb burger at Chanh Rooftop Bistro; all walkable from the hotel. 
 

We were fortunate to meet Xuan Le when traveling with friends in Vietnam in January 2020. He flew to meet us and guide us for tours in Hoi An and DaNang, and Ho Chi Minh City. He is one of the best guides I have ever encountered in my travels. Enthusiastic, knowledgeable, fun. 

45 minutes ago, geoffieg said:

• Terry and Mike:

 

Thank you for letting all of us follow along with you.  We fly in the morning from Singapore to Hanoi, then to Siem Reap late Friday afternoon.  Our Scenic program starts Saturday evening.

 

We will try and pick up with a new thread, but don't see how we can add much to your incredible travelogue.  

 

I’m so excited for your upcoming journey! Enjoy and cheers! Wishing you safe and happy travels. 

1 hour ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

I did the Rhône (with a very little bit of the Saône) on AMA, Lyon to Arles, as my second river cruise trip.  It was very good, but when I later looked at Scenic's itinerary (which with more days is able to go further up to Saone), I thought it looked even better.

 

For help choosing among the excursions, you might want to look at my blob of the AMA cruise:

AmaDagio Provence 9-2015

jazzbeauxfranceblog.wordpress.com

Oh, nice! Thank you for providing the link. I will certainly have a read. 

This trip with Scenic has exceeded our expectations. We could not have asked for more. It’s been such a special journey. 
 

We will always remember the genuine smiles and great care from the people of Cambodia and Vietnam. They are worth the trip in themselves. In addition, the Mekong River has its own magic with rustic villages, fishermen in small boats, and water hyacinths. The food in the area is some of the best in the world, with clear and full flavor sets that have your mouth singing. If this trip is one you are considering, then I encourage to go ahead with it, and travel it with Scenic. 
 

I took a moment yesterday to look for a river cruise itinerary we haven’t done, and it looks like the Saone River, sailing from Lyon, France, is about all we have left. We’ve been in this area while traveling independently on land, but never on a ship. If anyone has any thoughts on this itinerary, I’d love to hear them. 
 

Last night was our Gala Farewell Dinner and it was over the top wonderful. Sevruga Caviar, Seared Foie Gras, Mushroom Cappuccino, Truffled Red Wine Risotto, Green Apple Sorbet, Chateaubriand, Lobster Veloute, Sense of Wonder dessert featuring chocolate and Bailey’s flavors. 
 

This morning we depart the ship at 8:15a in My Tho, Vietnam. We will have an approximately 2 hour transfer in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, where we will be dropped off at the Caravelle Hotel. This will end our official program with Scenic. 
 

3 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

This sounds like a wonderful trip, and fully up to the Scenic standard we experienced in France.  It's too bad that their website issues are giving them such a black eye, because the onboard experience is fabulous!

I fully agree. This is our second time on Scenic and their onboard (and on land) product is superior to any other river cruise product we have sailed. But their web site and administrative side before the trip can be amazingly frustrating and not customer friendly. 

Originally, 8 people signed up for the tour Tea at French Villa and Cultural Entertainment, but only Mike and I went. Everyone else cancelled in order to pack, or to nap, so we had a private tour - felt very VIP. 
 

It was a lovely French villa from about 1930, and the performers were truly wonderful. It was a great excursion. We left the ship at 2:45p, and returned around 4:30p. 
 

Tonight’s dinner was the Gala Farewell Dinner, and it was one of our favorite meals, which is saying a lot as the food has been outstanding. 
 

We enjoyed caviar, risotto, mushroom soup, lobster, chateaubriand, and chocolate desserts. All incredible!  Wow. 

This morning we traveled by Sampan boat on the Sa Dec River to a wet market. This is a thriving local market filled with color and activity. On offer are live fish and chickens, beautiful vegetables, rice, eggs, crabs, and so many things. 
 

We then visited the home of the French writer Margarite Duras, who wrote the book ‘The Lover’ about her time living their. 
 

We departed the ship at 8:30a and were back at 10:15a. 
 

Lunch today is foods from around the world. 
 

This afternoon is a free choice tour, and hubby and I will be having tea at a French villa. The other tour was ‘Mekong Exploration’. 

30 minutes ago, worcestergal said:

What an amazing experience you’re having!  It’s been such a vicarious treat for me. 😁

What will you be doing when you get off the ship? Are you doing Scenic-lead activities in HCMC?

I’m happy to hear you are enjoying the posts. 
 

We have been to HCMC previously (January 2020), so will not being doing any scripted touring there. We will leave the Scenic program after disembarkation tomorrow, with a complimentary drop off at the Caravelle Hotel (the hotel Scenic uses).  We will then make our way to the Silverland Yen Hotel, a couple blocks away. 
 

Our plan is to stroll through the nearby large market, relax, maybe get massages, wander. We also hope to meet up with Xuan Le for dinner or beverages, he is a Vietnamese tour guide (and awesome person) we met in 2020, and have remained in touch with. 
 

Tastes of Asia party by the pool this evening at 6p, with beverages and snacks from the area. 
 

Dinner was also Tastes of Asia, with the menu featuring dishes from the area. I had a tasty Burmese Seafood Curry. 
 

The staff was all introduced after dinner, and it was good to be able to applaud these friendly and hard working people. 
 

We decided to skip the DJ and Dance Party, and headed back to our cabin around 9p. 

This morning hubby and I chose the tour to Tra Su Bird Sanctuary. Other options were a Fish Farm, or Evergreen Island farming tour. We enjoy wildlife viewing, so this was a nice fit for us. We were taken by motorboat for 45 minutes to a small town, where we boarded a bus for about 40 minutes to a Bird Sanctuary. Both the boat and bus rides were very interesting through small town and rural Vietnamese life. At the bird sanctuary, we were rowed through an area with hundreds of herons and egrets. We then boarded a small motor boat for sailing through river vegetation and trees. This was a beautiful excursion. Then return by bus and big motor boat. We departed at 7:45a and returned at 1p. 
 

Lunch on the ship today was Vietnamese Street Market Food theme and it was delicious - one of our favorites. There was a Vietnamese crepe with pork and vegetables, and a vegetable cake, that were incredible. Don’t miss them. 
 

We went to the cabin to rest, and are now sipping tea that we had delivered. Other options were an afternoon cooking class. 
 

At 6p there is a Vietnamese snack and beverage tasting on the pool deck, followed by a port talk for tomorrow and a disembarkation briefing. 
 

Dinner tonight is Tastes of Asia, and will be followed by a DJ and Disco Party. 

4 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Have you taken a Nile cruise?  I've been researching them, and I really like the Scenic Essence of Egypt & Jordan itinerary.  [Unless I go with Archaeological Paths for the chance to pose inside the paws of the Sphinx a là Claude Reins and Vivian Leigh!]

Yes, we have done an Egypt tour and Nile cruise. We did not do it through Scenic though, and although ours was a good one I have a feeling Scenic would have made it extraordinary. Their access is impressive. 

I posted this under my live review of Scenic Mekong, but thought it might be of interest on this thread as well - 

Follow up on the Vietnam visa situation. Many itineraries, whether on your own or booked as a package through the cruise line, require you to enter Vietnam multiple times (rather than single entry). For example, we started in Hanoi, then on to HaLong Bay, then Hoi An, before we flew to Cambodia to start with Scenic. We then entered Vietnam again yesterday afternoon, by river. 
 

Currently, Vietnam is not issuing multi-entry visas to individuals. They can be had by working through a local visa service company or travel operator but are veryexpensive and require purchasing services through those companies. There are some other threads on this on this board, and on the Asia board. 
 

After some research, we decided to go with the option of purchasing 2 Single Entry Vietnam eVisas for each of us, 1 for each of the 2 different entry dates,purchased online, in advance, simply and easily, for $25 each; a total of $100. 
 

For Cambodia, we purchased a Single Entry eVisa, online, easily at $36 each. We could use this option as we were entering Cambodia through an airport, and then sailing south towards Vietnam. I believe if you are entering Cambodia via the river (sailing north from Vietnam) this eVisa is not an option. 

We are both from the United States, so that may also make a difference. 

Follow up on the Vietnam visa situation. Many itineraries, whether on your own or booked as a package through the cruise line, require you to enter Vietnam multiple times (rather than single entry). For example, we started in Hanoi, then on to HaLong Bay, then Hoi An, before we flew to Cambodia to start with Scenic. We then entered Vietnam again yesterday afternoon, by river. 
 

Currently, Vietnam is not issuing multi-entry visas to individuals. They can be had by working through a local visa service company or travel operator but are very expensive and require purchasing services through those companies. There are some other threads on this on this board, and on the Asia board. 
 

After some research, we decided to go with the option of purchasing 2 Single Entry Vietnam eVisas for each of us, 1 for each of the 2 different entry dates, purchased online, in advance, simply and easily, for $25 each; a total of $100. 
 

For Cambodia, we purchased a Single Entry eVisa, online, easily at $36 each. We could use this option as we were entering Cambodia through an airport, and then sailing south towards Vietnam. I believe if you are entering Cambodia via the river (sailing north from Vietnam) this eVisa is not an option. 

We are both from the United States, so that may also make a difference. 

On several nights, when we’ve returned to our cabin, there has been a small gift waiting for us. This is such a nice touch. We have received kramas (the beautiful linen scarves from Cambodia), lucky bracelets, ginger and clove balm. Last night we received the cutest little handmade elephants. 
 

I can honestly say that this is one of the best designed and most comfortable cabins we’ve ever sailed in, including river and ocean cruises. The bed is the perfect mix of firm support underneath and fluffy pad on top, with a cotton topper. The AC works perfectly with accurate settings. The lighting goes from flooded with natural light to black out, with every option in between. It feels spacious with several places to sit, and to put our things. The shower is very large for a ship, with lots of options for spray, waterfall, and so on, with no water escaping outside the shower, and unending hot water. The colors are natural shades with pale wood floors, dark wood furniture, flax colored walls and upholstery, white linens. There is room at the patio wicker table and chairs to dine, if you wish, and perfect for enjoying a beverage while you float down the Mekong.  It’s a welcoming and peaceful cabin. The room is serviced twice a day to perfection. I think we’ll be sad to leave. 

 

2 hours ago, worcestergal said:

I am really enjoying your descriptions and photos. It looks like such a fabulous adventure!

Thank you! It truly is a fabulous adventure. We were both saying yesterday that Scenic truly is surpassing our expectations on this journey, everything is wonderful. Although we already have several trips on the books for the future, we are contemplating when (and to where) we could squeeze in another trip to get us back on Scenic. 

Hoan gave a presentation on Vietnam this afternoon that was very informative.
 

This evening, a local Vietnamese dance troop came on and entertained us with some dragon dancing. They were enthusiastic, and everyone enjoyed them. 
 

For dinner we had a Gala Welcome to Vietnam event that was several courses, with every dish being great. I had the duck, which was wonderful, and the green tea ice cream, so good! 
 

I wanted to mention the staff on the ship. They are magnificent! Every single person we encounter is friendly, helpful, caring. The servers knew our names from day 2, and use them often. We are always greeted with positive interactions, or asked how we enjoyed our lunch, or so many other things like this. The guides have all been delightful - Dara with his humor, Lovey with his knack of getting locals to open up to us, Hoan with his ability to corral us all and make sure we have all our things and know where to be. The crew makes this journey even more special. One of the best I’ve encountered ever. 

Today we had a tour of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. It was from 8:30a-10:30a. Although it was good, it reminded us too much of the Royal Palace in Bangkok we visited a few weeks ago. 
 

At 10:30a we set sail towards Vietnam. During the day there is the opportunity for a tour of the Bridge, and a tour of the Galley. We will are choosing to relax. 
 

At 4p, we are scheduled to cross in to Vietnam, and there will be a talk on Vietnam. 
 

Tonight we have a Gala Welcome to Vietnam dinner, and local entertainment coming aboard. 

The ship hosted ‘Gin O’Clock’ yesterday evening for the port talk, which was fun. Lots and lots of gins available to try. I had a Cambodian one, with tonic and lime, which was delicious! 
 

After another fabulous dinner, we set off in a line of 2 person Tuk Tuks for a night tour of Phnom Penh. This was so much fun, so I recommend you don’t skip it. The city is beautiful at night, with lots of activity and everything lit up. There was one stop along the way, at a Cambodian Rum Distiller, where we had a tasting/cocktail party. Then we zipped through the city some more in our Tuk Tuks. Home for 10:15p. 
 

All the tours we have done, whether they be set for the entire group, or where we pick from a list of optional tours, have been included in the cost of the cruise. We have not paid extra for anything at all, as of yet. 

Today, I signed up for the tour ‘Killing Fields and Genocide Museum’. As you can imagine, it is a heavy subject, and the tour is unsettling at times, although always interesting. The Pol Pot regime is something I’ve done some reading on, but this won’t be for everyone. It left at 8a and returned at noon. 
 

Hubby went on a market and architectural tour that included lunch at a local restaurant. Left at 8:30a, back at 1:15p. He said it was “okay, but not great”.
 

I decided I needed some exercise, so took myself on a long walk through Phnom Penh. I walked for 2 hours 20 minutes and gave myself a rather nice private walking tour down the river front to the Royal Palace, over to the Central Market, back up to the Giant Clock, and back to the ship. 
 

When I returned, hubby was not n the room, but came in about 45 minutes after. He had walked to get a massage over on the main drag for $15. Said it was decent, but too much oil. 
 

We are getting ready for the evening port talk now, and had cocktails delivered to our room while we freshen up. 
 

Tonight we have a tour “Phnom Penh by Tuk Tuk at night” from 8:15p-10:15p. 

5 hours ago, Celinedeon said:

Thank you Terry&Mike, I will probably be connecting with you further with questions about navigating the airports (ie. communication barriers?); private tours etc.  

In the meantime, I am following your trip right now and it looks amazing.  Can't wait to be seeing many of the same sights.

Cecilia

We have not had any communication barriers at the airports, and have been through several both large and small. English signage, English speakers. 

Guide Dara had us laughing at his krama/scarf tying presentation. 
 

At 3:00p to 4:15p, I went on the visit to Silk Island to see silk production and weaving. I’ve seen this before in China, but found this a more local experience. The prices are excellent for scarves, wallets, and other silk items. 
 

Back onboard we had a scenic sailing on the sun deck to Phnom Penh, where we are docked for the next 2 nights. 
 

A local dance troupe came on and entertained us. 
 

Docking in Phnom Penh at 5:30p. 
 

AMADara ship (front) and Emerald Harmony ship (behind), are here currently. 

This morning the tour was visiting a pagoda and being blessed by a monk. If you are in Asia for long you may be tempted to skip the tour and enjoy the ship, but don’t  The tour is so much more. 
 

The blessing from the monk is interesting and worth it. But after that, we walked through a tiny rural village, and had a chance to see homes, locals, and life close up. Next, we went to an English school for children. We got to sit with them, interact, let them practice English. Then a few members of our group stood up to let the kids ask them questions. Then a few of the kids stood up and we asked them questions. The group sang us a song in English, we sang them a song in English. It was a special moment. We departed the ship at 8:45a and returned at 10:15a. 
 

The group sizes have been good with sometimes being small groups like 3-8 people, and sometimes being larger at 18-20 people. 
 

We are now headed to a Cambodian Street Market lunch onboard. It will be followed by a class on 101 ways to tie a Cambodian scarf.