Sign In / Register
An extensive traveller, you’d be hard-pressed to name a popular destination that Whangaparāoa local, and Auto Super Shoppe owner, Mark Manihera hasn’t been to.
It helps that wife Katherine works in the travel industry and often has the inside word on the next big experience. But when she came home with an idea for a cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia, it took a bit of convincing for Mark to get on board.
All hesitation was washed away as soon as Mark set foot on the Mekong Princess, discovering a smaller, intimate experience than he had envisioned for a cruise.
The brainchild of a Vietnamese boat-building family, The Mekong Princess is a luxury river vessel small enough to visit hidden destinations inaccessible to the bigger cruise ships. And this was by intention – the family has built many a large river cruiser for larger companies.
As the boat navigated the scenic waters from Vietnam to Cambodia, it made scheduled stops along the way to immerse the travellers in the local culture:
Unlike most trips, he could sit back and leave all the coordination to someone else! With the staff taking care of all their travel needs, Mark had the space to spend quality time with his travel companion.
Vietnamese village: a day trip included visiting a small village unaccustomed to large-scale tourism which meant it was the ideal opportunity for the village to showcase it’s industry for coconut based products and provided Mark and his fellow traveller with an authentic insight into local life.
The Killing Fields: Stopping in Phnom Penh, Mark recommends the day trip to the “Killing Fields”. He says, “It’s an incredible experience – the sombre environment evokes an emotional response.” He learned a lot from the educational info on site acknowledging that the Khmer Rouge is a section of history he hadn’t been exposed to. Even more valuable was the opportunity to meet survivors of the holding prison and hearing their stories first-hand.
Blessing at Angkor Ban: Embarking on this cruise, the last thing Mark expected was a spiritual experience. But being blessed by local monks makes his highlight list, “I felt connected spiritually,” he says. It was a life-changing experience.
Back to school: The opportunity to join local children in their classroom was eye-opening for Mark and his companions. Some of these children rise at 4am to being the long walk to school.
Angkor architecture: Having spent time in a number of European cities, Mark is familiar with the reflection of history in architecture. Exploring Angor Wat, he describes what he saw as “just next level”.
Touted as a journey about sensory awareness and personal enlightenment, the Mekong Princes definitely delivered for Mark. He shares, “It was a real privilege. I have returned feeling quite moved by this experience.”
Mark’s rave review inspired YOU Travel’s Kiri Martin. Connecting with the Vietnamese owners of the ship, Martin decided to charter a an exclusive tour – In 2025, 28 locals will experience a fully escorted experience aboard the Mekong Princess.
