 |
| the Vat Phuo Boat |
Another interesting Mekong River exploration trip is the Vat Phou Mekong Cruise. This is one more means of comfortably discovering the huge Mekong River with top-of-the-line services. Guests will be boarding the Vat Phou boat, which was originally a ferry that carried teak wood between Vientiane and the southern Laos. The boat was skillfully converted into a luxurious floating hotel in 1993 which boasts of its 12 tastefully designed twin shared cabins, an air-conditioned dining room, 2 large shaded decks on each end of the boat, outdoor deck perfect for lounging around, and a bar.
The cruise starts and finishes in Pakse, Laos. It follows the southern part of the Mekong River. First stop is Vat Phou which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Champassak. This is a Khmer temple which was built in the early 5th century, but the surviving structures date from the 11th to the 13th centuries. Next hop is the mysterious Oum Muong ruins in Huei Thamo. It is a small temple built in the 9th century dedicated to Rudani, a consort of Shiva. Last destination is the Pha Pheng waterfalls located on the Laos-Cambodia border. It is the largest in Southeast Asia which is the main reason why the Mekong River is not fully navigable into China. The waterfalls features thousands of islands and waterways, which form the 4,000 islands or Si Phan Don. The islands are mostly big enough for a tree or some weeds to grow on. They submerge under water during the rainy season when the water is high.
 |
| the Vat Phuo Temple ruins |
