Following sold-out Chef-hosted cruises in 2018, Aqua Expeditions has again scheduled two special departures on Aqua Mekong with acclaimed Australian Chef, David Thompson, in 2019.
As Consulting Chef for the Aqua Mekong since the vessel’s inaugural cruise in October 2014, Thompson continues to expand his adventurous palate more broadly around Southeast Asia, incorporating culinary traditions of Mekong River cultures with the freshest ingredients to create indigenous-inspired dishes like river prawns with ginger, shallots, tamarind and palm sugar served on betel leaves, Cambodian green curry of catfish and lemon basil cashew nut pudding with coconut cream.
Guests are invited to join Aqua Mekong on the four-night Explorer Cruises from Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) to Phnom Penh (Cambodia) from 16-20 August and 13–17 September 2019.
Each cruise is priced from US$5,400 per person twin share in a stunning First Deck Suite including:
- Accommodation and all onboard meals, non-alcoholic beverages, selected wines and beers, excursions with knowledgeable local guides, onboard lectures and evening entertainment
- Customised market tours – Travelling with Thompson to local markets to learn about locally grown and harvested ingredients, so essential to the freshness of Aqua Mekong’s dishes.
- Master cooking class – Attending a cooking class or kitchen tour hosted by Thompson as he walks guests through his secrets of recipe planning, preparation and execution.
- Interactive Q&A with the chef – Finding out how the dynamic international food scene is transforming the way Thompson designs his latest visions of culinary creativity.
Aqua Mekong is the only ship on this stretch of the Mekong River to offer a fully equipped gym, screening room, outdoor cinema, observation deck and an upper-deck pool.
Guests will dine on stunning dishes created by Thompson and board the Mekong’s only private tenders for expert guided shore excursions to serene Buddhist temples and stilted villages or exploration by bicycle and kayak.
Bookings for Aqua Mekong and Aria Amazon cruises are available through Aqua Expeditions Australia on 1300 124 204 or reservations@aquaexpeditions.com.au or see aquaexpeditions.com/