We started our final day on The Jahan visiting the remote village of Angkor Ban, which is one of only a handful of villages with traditional wooden houses dating back over 100 years. These types of homes are a rarity due to neglect and the decades of conflict in the country. We entered the village through a large pagoda complex before walking around the narrow streets to see the homes.
Afterward, two local monks came on board to chant and preform a blessing for the ship and guests. Guests were also able to get individual blessings and red string bracelets, a Buddhist tradition for luck and protection.
National Geographic Archeologist Fabio Esteban gave a talk on, “Parallel Civilizations and Sacred Landscapes between the Maya and Angkor”.
In the afternoon, we visited Wat Nokor, our first Angkor period temple that featured a colorful monastery built inside a 12th-century enclosure. Then, we stopped at a famous bamboo bridge in the provincial capital of Kampong Cham. Guests had the option of walking on a portion of the bridge or walking along the riverside back to the ship.
To conclude our voyage, we celebrated with a farewell party on the terrace deck at sunset and enjoyed the world premiere of the guest slideshow.
