There is hardly a person in the world that has not dreamed about getting on a luxury cruise ship and exploring the parts of the world that you only read about in travel books. You can also plan a Sydney Harbour new year eve party cruise because Sydney is the place we believe every other person should see at least once in a lifetime. After all, most of us are explorers in our hearts and we can’t wait for our wanderlust to take us to the most unexpected places, right?
However, in spite of our venturesome spirits, not all adventures turn out to be as satisfying as we expect them to be! The main reason for this is due to the lack of preparation and thinking that all adventures are meant to be spontaneous. Although there is some truth to the latter claim, when you are traveling abroad, you will want to be as prepared as possible!
This means that everything from packing the right clothes to learning some of your destination’s slang is important.
If your next planned trip happens to be a Mekong river cruise, you have come to the right place. With our help, you can be sure that you will be fully prepared for your next trip and make it into an unforgettable adventure!
- Pack smart
If this is your first time going on a cruise, you will find that packing for it is quite different than it was on your previous travels. Of course, you will want to pack some dinner clothing for when you are staying on your ship, but other than that your clothes for the trip should be three things – comfortable, quick-dry, and lightweight.
So, some of the things that you have to make sure to bring on your cruise will include:
- Quick drying and lightweight clothing
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Long-sleeved tops
- Lightweight rain gear
- Lightweight long pants
- A water-resistant backpack
- A wide-brimmed hat
- Sunscreen and a mosquito repellant
When it comes to packing for the Mekong river, there is also a number of things that you should not bring in order to make sure that your trip is pleasant. As you already know, you will be visiting a great number of temples and you will want to avoid insulting the locals by wearing revealing clothes!
Another thing that you should keep in mind is that you should not pack a hairdryer. Western hairdryers tend to be too much for the outlets in this area and often tend to short out. On the other hand, just about all cruises will offer you with their hairdryers, so you will be safe with using theirs!
Also, make sure to leave valuables like expensive electronics and jewelry home. The electronics can easily get damaged, so why risk it? As for the jewelry, you will want to avoid even the slightest chance of getting robbed, right? Better safe than sorry!
- Choose the season that suits you best
Since there are cruises offered throughout the whole year, you will have an option of choosing which one of the seasons will suit you best during your travels. You can choose between the dry season (November to April) and the wet season (May to October).
Although both of them have many benefits, most travelers tend to choose to visit the Mekong river in the wet season, mostly due to the fact that this season allows higher water levels. This is important because it means that your ship is most likely to be able to sail the entire route!
Essentially, this means that you are most likely not to have any need for bus rides or short flights around the area!
- Get your vaccines and the medication you need
When traveling to exotic places such as the Mekong river, you will want to make sure that you have received the recommended inoculations. This almost always includes Hepatitis A and B, malaria, dengue fever, and typhoid. Better safe than sorry!
You should also make sure to bring any type of medication for upset stomachs because most travelers tend to have issues regarding readjusting to a new diet!
Source: Pixabay
- Adapt to the culture
Most Westerners tend to be somewhat arrogant when traveling to places with different cultures. Make sure not to make this mistake and even accidentally offend someone! This means that if you are visiting a temple, you should dress appropriately. If you are offered a local delicacy, accept it. If you are shopping at a local market and the custom is to bargain, bargain!
Embrace the new culture you come across and it will make your trip all the more exciting and unforgettable!
- Indulge in the local cuisine
Having mentioned the local delicacies, you should know what you are getting yourself into! Not many of us would think of deep fried tarantulas as of gourmet food, but the fact is that Vietnamese people eat them all the time!
There are lots of different foods you wouldn’t even have thought existed that you will come across and make sure to try each and every one of them!
If you make sure to take the mentioned five steps when visiting the Mekong river, an unforgettable adventure is guaranteed! Book your exotic cruise with Aqua Expeditions and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!
Love traveling.
