I wanted to do something different for my 40th birthday this year, so my family and I went on a sunset cocktail and dinner cruise with the Samsara Boat, a traditional Khmer hardwood launch outfitted to provide the finest dining experience on the lakes and rivers of Cambodia.
The cruise started at 5.30 p.m. As soon as we arrived at the floating dock, we stored our shoes in a box, wore the espadrilles provided for us by the crew, and hopped on the boat for a short but necessary safety briefing. Then we sailed away from the city’s hustle and bustle on the calm water of the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake, soaking in tranquility, luxury, and privacy.
As soon as we boarded the boat, the crew began serving free-flowing champagne as welcome drinks and a platter of snacks. We stayed in the open-air bar at the top deck to enjoy the nature and the views. Besides the starlit roof bar, the top deck also consists of a bow with a sun deck and two lookout stools, and a few steps from the bar is a second lounge with a wraparound setting. The sun was low in the sky, the wind was gentle, and when dusk came, the lit buildings in the background were wonderful. It was quiet and soft music was played. It was a perfect way to finish the day and start the evening.
As we cruised onwards, we were invited to a celebratory six-course meal in the air-conditioned fine-dining salon that featured asparagus and foie gras soup, tenderloin steak with a very good sauce, and free-flowing wine. The food was delicious and we enjoyed it all. After the fourth course (trou normand/refreshment), before the main course was served, we returned back to the open-air bar to allow ourselves to digest, enjoy the fresh air, gaze at the stars and the constellations of the night sky above Cambodia, and appreciate the best views of the fast-growing city of Phnom Penh, which never sleeps.
Throughout the course of the cruise and while we were eating, one of the things that we enjoyed was our conversation that covered so many topics, such as menhir, indigenous people, etc.
The free-flowing drinks made us a little tipsy afterwards. I don’t really drink because my body can’t handle alcohol. But I drank a little on the cruise because it was my birthday and my husband was with me; I knew if I got drunk, he would carry me home.
The four-and-a-half-hour cruise was lovely, and dining aboard the Samsara Boat was an elegant intimacy. It was a fantastic way to celebrate a significant event in my life and a great way to get away from the daily grind, especially since we are working around the clock nowadays (literally seven days a week). But we have no complaints; instead, we are grateful that our small business has done well thus far and is gradually expanding across four continents. If you are looking for a relaxing and romantic way to end your day and a unique way to celebrate any important occasions with your family or friends, with good food, good drinks and beautiful scenery, the Samsara Boat is for you.
Little Lilly travel tips:
- Excellent customer service. The crew and entire team were welcoming and accommodating.
- One thing that bothered us was the stink of the engine. It was quite strong, especially at the beginning of the cruise.
Little Lilly Meets the World 