All aborad! Seriously Stylish Cruising in Southeast Asia

The flowing waters of Southeast Asia form some of its most spectacular geographical features. Mighty rivers flow from the highlands in the heart of the region and run outward in all directions to meet breathtaking bays. Experience these natural wonders in styles aboard luxurious vessels that are almost as spectacular as the waters they cruise!

Thailand’s Chao Phraya is often dubbed ‘The River of Kings’ and Manohra’s lavishly converted rice barges offer a truly regal river experience. The 20-metre-long barges feature warm teak, Padua and mahogany woods throughout, custom designed furniture and sophisticated Southeast Asian art, and can be hired by couples or groups for private charter.

In the northeast of Vietnam, just a three-hour drive from Hanoi, is the stunning World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, a dense cluster of almost 2,000 limestone monolithic islands, each topped with thick jungle vegetation rising spectacularly from the ocean. Cruise the bay in the style of yesteryear aboard the Emeraude, a luxuriously appointed replica colonial paddle steamer with a romantic history to match the polished wood and brass fittings!

Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River is the life-line of the nation and flows through the centre of the country for almost 2000 km. Cruise its mighty waters in comfort aboard the RV Pandaw 1947, an original Scottish-built colonial steamer, commissioned at the end of the Second World War. With sixteen beautifully appointed cabins, elegant dining hall, saloon and sun deck, Ayravata Cruises offer cultural and exploration cruises in comfort.

Or enjoy the timeless landscapes of Southern Laos from your luxurious vantage point on “the river-borne boutique hotel’ of Vat Phou. The beautiful 34-metre steel hulled craft features a charmingly appointed interior and gives leisurely cruises along the mighty Mekong. On a different stretch of the Mekong in nearby Cambodia, Mekong River Cruises offer a unique experience of a fascinating country in serious style!

So why not embark on the trip of a lifetime with our Emeraude Experience Cruise.

Raise a Glass to Aythaya Wine -- Myanmar

When people think of Myanmar, wine is probably the last thing that springs to mind, but Bert Morsbach, CEO of Myanmar’s premiere vineyard, is one of many ‘new-latitude’ vintners who hope to change that.

Back in 1997, Morsbach founded his vineyard, Aythaya Wine, among Buddhist monasteries on the slopes of Aythaya’s Taunggyi Mountains, and aimed to create a wine that could compete with the top vintners from the world’s classic wine-producing countries.

Producing wine in a tropical climate is no mean feat, and Morsbach faced many challenges and obstacles. “Had I not been convinced that we could make a quality wine up in our mountains, I would not have started the project,” he admits. And after two failed crop seasons, Aythaya Wine was finally able to present its first wine, the ‘Aythaya Red’, at Yangon’s Le Planteur Restaurant in December 2004.

Aythaya wines are part of the “new latitude wines,” which are created in places far from the traditional centers of Europe, California, Australia and South America.

In terms of wine-making, countries like Brazil, India and Thailand hope to someday stand in pride next to France, Australia and Chile and Morsbach is one hopeful contender in the movement.

The German-born vintner plans to eventually retire in Myanmar, and sees the Aythaya Vineyard as a labor of love. As part of developing the surrounding area, the vineyard has renovated a local Buddhist orphanage, earning it the name the “orphanage vineyard.” They are also currently in the process of expanding their tourist facilities, which already include five guest rooms, a restaurant and swimming pool.

Why not add a visit to the Aythaya Vineyard to a tour of Myanmar? Exotissimo Myanmar makes stops at the Aythaya Vineyard on the way to Inle Lake, where you can indulge in some wine tasting and have lunch in an intimate setting. Interested in a glass of Burmese wine? Have a look at our Essential Myanmar tour.

Tribal Nations - Living the High Life

Along the borders of Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and China, there are dozens of mountain-dwelling semi-nomadic people collectively known as ‘hilltribes’. Although they do share an elevated lifestyle, these colorful communities actually represent a diverse myriad of languages, cultures and belief systems.

The Akha, one complex hilltribe group in the region, are closely related to the Hani of China’s Yunnan province but speak their own distinct language which comes from a branch of the Tibeto-Burman language group. The Akha are traditionally subsistence farmers, and Akha Zang (The Akha Way) combines animism, ancestor worship and their deep relationship with the land.

Also originally hailing from Yunnan, the Lisu have primarily earned their name as a tribe alive with color, and are considered to use the greatest variety of colors of all the hill tribes. Their confident decision-making and independence is reflected in the way the Lisu use powerful combinations of colors to decorate their costumes.

The Karen are one of the largest hilltribes in Southeast Asia with a total population of about three million spread throughout Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. Famed for the ‘long necks’ of their women, the Karen now live at relatively low elevations in permanent villages, and have developed environmentally sustainable terraced rice fields.

The Lahu are a strongly independent and very diverse ethnic group. In Thailand alone there are no fewer than six different Lahu tribes, some of whose languages are not mutually intelligible. Although primarily subsistence farmers, the Lahu are also proud of their hunter-warrior heritage and are strongly committed to principles of unity and working together for survival.

This brief look at just a few of these fascinating groups illustrates the complex diversity of Southeast Asian hilltribe communities.

Experience these remarkable ethnic groups for yourself on our Shan Homestay in Tham Lod.