21 APR 2017: The ancient Mekong is a fascinatingly changeable river. Sometimes, the water looks as blue as the intense tropical sky. At other times it’s the muddy brown of the load of silt it carries from as far north as Tibet. It can suddenly seem to be a sea of green, carpeted by dense mats of floating water hyacinths.
And at sunset, it can magically appear to be a river of dazzling gold.
It’s the source of food and water and the main highway in countries where roads are more concept than reality. Which is why the most comfortable and practical way to journey through Vietnam and Cambodia is on the water.
And as we sail on AmaWaterways’ luxurious new AmaDara, we’re a standout on a river that’s plied mostly by rough and ready and decidedly utilitarian craft. There’s an endless parade of fishing, cargo and houseboats, which are mostly hand built and appear dangerously fragile.
Whenever we come into sight, kids and their parents wave and cheer this newcomer to the river that’s our very comfortable home for a week.