Day 1 - Arrive in Phnom Penh
When we arrived in Phnom Penh, we were met by our friendly and informative tour guide, Dara. Dara picked us up from the airport and took us to the opulent Hyatt Regency, which is located in the heart of the city, just a short walk from the riverside and the Royal Palace. Styling modern luxury for the perfect blend of business and leisure, Hyatt Regency boasts a rooftop bar with must-see views spanning the whole city.
Day 2 - Phnom Penh
After breakfast, we joined Scenic Spirit, which, on a rare occasion, was docked alongside Emerald Harmony. On arrival, each crew member greeted us individually and with such excitement. I was overwhelmed and humbled to be joining them for their first journey in 2 years.
We were given the opportunity to tour Emerald Harmony, which sports a charming light atrium and beautiful bright decor. Did you know that Emerald Harmony was specifically built for sailing into the heart of Ho Chi Minh City? Her retractable Sun Deck allows for impressive views. The ship’s suites and staterooms are modern sanctuaries which fuse authentic Asian style and contemporary design. The Sun and Pool Decks are truly remarkable, each offers total relaxation and comfort in an open-air environment. Reflections Restaurant truly encapsulated the style of the ship for me, its light feel and contemporary design really shone through and I imagine it would be a great place to come back and relax after a day of exploration.
After the tour, we boarded Scenic Spirit which boasts a refined tone not too dissimilar to Emerald Harmony. My personal butler escorted me to my Grand Deluxe Suite, which was to be my home away from home for the next 5 nights. The suite featured a stylish open lounge area, a queen-size Scenic Slumber bed, a walk-in wardrobe, an HDTV and a spacious bathroom. The modern design and decor provided a relaxing and familiar atmosphere as we traversed the Mekong River. My suite, which was located on Diamond Deck, came with many inclusions. I could get two items of clothing pressed per day, breakfast served in bed, fresh fruit, afternoon canapes and even petit fours.
This evening, we rejoined Emerald Harmony for a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation. The performance featured a traditional Cambodian folk dance called the coconut dance, or Robam Khmer, which embodies and displays the well-being, friendship and prosperity of the Cambodian people. It’s an energetic, feel-good performance and was made even more special as it was performed by local children flawlessly. After, there was Cambodian-style tapas and live music on the Sun Deck which ended our first night onboard memorably.
Day 3 - Phnom Penh to Oudong
Although it was difficult leaving the comfort of my suite, today was not to be missed. After a delicious breakfast, we were given the option of our first Scenic Freechoice. We were transferred to the Tuol Sleng Prison, a harrowing area that was a bitter reminder of the atrocities unleashed by the Khmer Rouge Regime. We also had the opportunity to meet with a survivor of the prison which was very emotional and provided further insight into the horror that only happened 40 years ago. Then, we were transferred to one of the Killing Fields in Cambodia not too far from the prison. Although this was very difficult to witness, it was something I will never regret doing as the awareness these monuments bring to the regime is a lesson that must be taught. It allowed me to understand how Cambodia was affected and how it developed during this time.
After an emotional morning, we headed back to the ship to share stories with the group who headed out on the alternative Scenic Freechoice. Then, we waved goodbye to Emerald Harmony as she set sail on an adventure.
This evening was a highlight for me - there’s nothing quite like a tuk-tuk ride at night in the rain! It added to the atmosphere of seeing the city lights of Phnom Penh and made for some great photos. Upon arrival at the Samai Distillery, a handcrafted rum and spirits distiller, we were greeted with a welcome drink and encouraged to order more at the bar. We were also given an in-depth tour of the distillery before climbing back onto our tuk-tuk for the journey home.
Day 4 - Silk Island to Angkor Ban
After breakfast, we boarded a coach to Oudong, the former capital of Cambodia. As the coach came to a halt and the doors opened, we stepped through an intricately designed red archway. The entrance should have set the bar for our expectations but the glorious architecture stunned us at every opportunity. Be sure to look up when entering the main temple, the incredible detail of the murals painted on the ceiling cannot be missed. Over 400 monks and nuns live at the monastery, and we were lucky enough to be able to speak to some of them to understand why they chose their path.
Back onboard Scenic Spirit, there was a traditional Cambodian street food lunch awaiting us, which included tarantulas, crickets and cockroaches (don’t worry, there were other options too!) After taking a refreshing dip in the pool and the bartender naming a cocktail after me - The Jack - it was time for our next excursion to the Sosoro Museum, learning about the money and economy of Phnom Penh and then a visit to the grand Phnom Penh Royal Palace. This evening, we set sail to Koh Oknha Tey, or Silk Island as it’s also known, as we enjoyed dinner with a French influence - a reminder of the impact the French had on Cambodia when it was integrated into the French Indochina union.
Day 5 - Wat Hanchey to Kampong Cham
We were greeted by a very different view of Phnom Penh this morning. We had docked at Silk Island, a peaceful island covered in greenery. We ventured by tuk-tuk, or Cambodian limousine as they are affectionately named, to the silk farm where we learnt about silk production. Did you know it can take two to three days for one person to make a silk scarf? We had some time to explore the island and purchase authentic silk items from the shop, which had all been produced on the island before a short tuk-tuk ride back to Scenic Spirit.
This afternoon was free for us to enjoy the amenities of the ship as we set sail to Angkor Ban. I took this opportunity to visit the Wellness Centre, which offers everything from massages to facials in a space designed for tranquillity. The therapist onboard offers a range of services designed to boost your well-being. I would recommend speaking to the spa staff once you get onboard, as you don’t want to miss out on the amazing treatments.
This evening brought heavy rain but that didn’t stop us from heading out to discover Angkor Ban’s rural village and school, where children are taught English. Their English was far better than my Cambodian and their grasp of the English language at such a young age was impressive. When we headed back onboard, the crew took our shoes to be cleaned and everyone donned their slippers before racing back to their cabins to prepare for a Taste of Asia dinner as we set sail to Kampong Cham.
Read the second part of Jack’s incredible journey here.
