vada_9

With the easier format of posting photos, I thought I would give this a try. 

We had seen the Song Xahn Sampans on our first Mekong Cruise (8 years ago) and I decided then if we ever returned this was something I wanted to do. In May this year we returned to do the Pandaw Red River cruise, plus some land touring and we ended our Vietnam stay on the Sampans. These are private "houseboats" taking 2  - 4 people and offer a few different itineraries in the Mekong Delta. There were the 2 of us on a 4 berth houseboat, with a staff of 4, Captain, + 2 assistants that were the cook, housekeeper, deckhand + a guide.  Meals are included either on board or ashore, there is a small fridge to purchase drinks or you can bring some aboard. Days are spent cruising and visiting various locations for walks on shore - we visited markets, brick factory, coconut candy and walked amongst farmland (things we had down on our initial visit). Our guide was most surprised that we had returned after 8 years  to do this cruise/stay.

I have used an Aussie credit card at Christmas Markets - Frankfurt to Nurenberg and on to Prague at some stalls. If you look you will see the Mastercard /Visa accepted signs.

We really enjoyed our rowing lesson in a batellina, (slightly larger than a gondola), with the folk from Row Venice.

Yes, and you can bring some back each time you go ashore. You have a small refrigerator in your room.

Possum52, I have an (older - similar) version of this adaptor (bought by my dad in the 80's) and we find that often when using the European 2 pin plug we need to support the adaptor with a tissue box/bin when you add an Aussie 2/3 pin connector(it falls out of the wall). Just something to be aware of.

Bought the Aldi one to add to our collection.

Can you or your daughter recommend a good pub? I’d like to do a real English Pub!

Hi, I have just seen your post and read through it and enjoying it. Thank you.

A pub we enjoyed in London was the Hung Drawn and Quartered. It is located very near to the Tower of London (definately do the free Yeoman tour). They do a pie and beer tasting board - 3 small pies (from their menu) and 3 Fullers beers. There is also lots of info on the walls re being "Hung Drawn and Quartered ". My husband found our Surname on the list of unlucky folk.

Hi Jazzbeau and Jazzbelle,

Enjoy your time in Africa, there is nothing quite like waking up on the Chobe River. I know you have been looking forward to this for some time (after our discussions on Azamara). We have booked the Namibia train journey for 2019. Can't wait to return.

Jan and Tom (Aust)

The front one is an Azamara ship

Suggest you book a harbour cruise for the festivities. Go to the Australia and New Zealand boards, and search thread on P and O Australia Day, dissapointed cruise. My understanding is the cruises (that were sold as visit Sydney for the Aus Day fireworks) had to leave the harbour around 6pm.

I have looked on the Skybus timetables and they estimate 55 mins from Queen St. We have caught the bus in the other direction (from the airport) on a Sat afternoon and think it may have been a bit less. From memory it only stops if the bell is rung or if it is hailed. For your information the Sky bus has luggage racks.

Rebel, my honest opinion - if you want to leave a donation buy your goods locally at the market (more folk will benefit). We made an impromtu school visit and I purchased one vendors entire stock of toilet paper (24 rolls). Whats the worst that can happen it is back for sale the next day

You can use your credit card from the self service machines. Just remember that if you use the airport train there is the airport surcharge (not included in your daily cap).

I have stayed a couple of nights at the Russell Hotel - possibly in price range - close to the OPT and Circular Quay - continental breakfast included in the downstairs bar. Would not suit those with a disability as rooms are up stairs, down stairs around a corner etc. Room we had was quite large and overlooked Nurses walk (I think)

We sailed downstream (but in reality you do a bit up and a bit down) Tonle River and Mekong River - check your itineraries and maps. We sailed August - rainy season but these were those short/sharp tropical downpours - bucketed for 1/2 hour - then all over. We enjoyed starting in Siem Reap - as Angkor Wat is undoubtably the highlight and it was good seeing the best first before becomming "Templed out". Others have in the past said they like keeping the best till last - so it is all up to what you like.

From memory on these cruises there is very little free time whilst docked - except in Phnom Penh. You are often moored at a riverbank and the excursion/activity takes place from there. After the activity you leave.

Have not cruised either line - but my understanding is that Travel Marvel is also in the Scenic family.

We cruised with Heritage line in 2010 - but in the opposite direction in early August - start of the wet season - It was still low water. We had 2 buses between the guests so plenty of room to spread out. We made 3 stops - first at a marble carving village, where we met the buses coming the other way from previous cruise and local guides came on with individual prepacked picnic boxes. Didn't get out of the bus here as it was a quick changeover, but could see all the carvings as it was done on the roadside. 2nd stop had a large clean toilet block and cafe/gift shop. 3rd stop was at Spider village with a market and local toilet. Some folks didn't leave the bus because of the spiders. The local children were selling fruit and would put a tarantula on your chest. We were dropped off then transfered by tuk tuk the last kilometer to the riverbank where boat was moored at the silver smith village. We thought it was an interesting day seeing the country side.

We visited Sydney in 2013 and loved it. We are back in 2018 for two more cruises (NZ) and (Transpacific) and have six days in Melbourne and five in Sydney between cruises.

 

 

2) What is a good place in the Sydney, not too far from the Rocks, CQ and immediate area to find the Aussie meat pies that we love?

There is "a hole in the wall " coffee shop at circular quay that sells Harry's pies for takeaways. It fronts onto Alfred Street.

We stayed in the Singel Hotel in August, 2016. The canal works were right out front of the hotel. Seems like a very slow job.

Depending on your time and interests, we enjoyed the sailing on an America's Cup training/racing yacht around the harbour. There are many 1/2 day food/wine tours with visits to the gannet colony. Sky Tower, etc

The "Sale" that is not really a sale as prices have basically remained the same - just the parameters have changed. If you had not been checking you would not realize this and think you were getting a bargain.

Johncomo, have a look at the English canal boats, their prices are more in line with a holiday rental. Easiest way is to pick a waterway then see who hires out boats in that area. There seem to be lots of different options.

Looks like the spring sale in 2015,(BOGOHO) where the prices I was looking at jumped up approx $2000 aus per person. So nothing new here.

This is what we have experienced

Mekong - mainly daytime , with maybe 1 or 2 late nights

Irrawaddy - daytime only

Yangtze - Day and Night

Chobe - day only

Thames - day only

Main - day and night

Rajang - day

depends a lot on the infrastructure on the river

Thanks. I didn't think about the locks. We took a land vacation and took bus tours to go out to see Stonehenge, Bath, Oxford, Cotswolds, Windsor, Stratford. I kept thinking I could plan a really nice River cruise itinerary. lol

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

A few names for you to have a look at in no particular order. Wessex Rose, African Queen, Kailani, Tranquil Rose, Magna Carta. These boats operate in the Thames / Avon / Kennett areas. Various prices. A nice add on to a land tour.

I wonder why there isn't a Thames River itinerary.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

There are - but these are on either canalboats or barges - between 2 and 14 guests. The locks along the river will not accommodate larger vessels.