Manohra Song - Luxury Cruise on the Menam Chao Praya River - 2014/15

Manohra Song - Dubbed “The Orient Express of the River”, this vessel is a 20-meter-long rice barge that has been carefully restored and lavishly converted into an ultra-deluxe river cruiser. Designed for up to four couples, Manohra Song explores Thailand’s famous Menam Chao Phraya, in unmatched luxury and comfort. Built upon the original 100-year-old, solid teak hull, Manohra Song features four air-conditioned state-rooms with queen-size beds, ensuite bathrooms, and an expansive saloon living and dining area with bar, plus an ample forward sun-deck lounging area, with private crew quarters and kitchen in the aft section Designed and built by interior designer Kathleen Heinecke, the Manohra Song features warm teak, padua and mahogany woods throughout, custom-designed furniture covered with colorful Thai silks and cottons, oriental rugs, Thai and Southeast Asian art, sculpture and artifacts. Many of the accessories selected have been made by the people living along the rivers and klongs (canals) of Thailand, as well as in some of the more remote areas. “Some of the crafts are quite sophisticated and fine, while others are more folk items that have been used by the Thai people for generations,” explained Heinecke, CEO of Polygon Designs. “We wanted to reflect and re-create in a small way, some of the many early European influences that were embraced and encouraged by King Rama V. These resulted in a good marriage of the styles of the time, both Thai and foreign, mixing local carving expertise with the sumptuous fabrics - many of them made from Thai silks and cottons, patterns and colors,” she added. Manohra Song is staffed by an experienced and attentive crew of four including a Chef presenting the finest traditional Thai cuisine for lunch and dinner. Cruise Program Day 1: BANGKOK-KOH KRED - AYUTTHAYA 08:30 Transfer from hotel to pier and board Manohra Cruise. 10:00 Depart from the Manohra Cruise Pier located in front of the Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa. Once on board you’ll meet your Manohra Song host and the team who will be looking after you on your trip. Cold, lemon-grass scented towels and a chilled cocktail will be waiting for you. 10:45 Arrive at The Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun as it is otherwise known. This is one of the best known temples in Bangkok and dates back to the ancient Ayutthaya period. The tall, elongated central Khmer-style tower is surrounded by four minor towers, which symbolize Mount Meru, the earthly representation of the thirty-three heavens. Here you’ll find pavilions containing statues of the Buddha at the most important stages of life. The beautiful architecture and fine craftsmanship mark Wat Arun as one of the most remarkable temples in Thailand. We’ll stop here for a short guided tour and depart at 11.15am. 11:30 Arrive at the Royal Barge Museum. This is one of Bangkok’s most fascinating sights and something you will not see anywhere else in the world. The museum is home to an incredible collection of gilded and ornately decorated boats with magnificently carved prows. His Majesty the King’s personal barge, Suphanahong, can be seen here. Built in 1911 to resemble a mythical swan, the boat is 46 meters long and was carved from a single tree. All the barges are completely unique and are incredible works of craftsmanship. A short guided tour will introduce you to the Royal Barge Museum’s treasures before we depart at midday. 12:30 Lunch under steam. Thai cuisine prepared by your personal on-board chefs. As you dine, the Manohra Song will pass the island of Koh Kret in Nonthaburi Province, an island which was only ‘man-made’ in the last 100 years, when a canal was built to shorten the journey around a circuitous bend in the river. The island is populated by the Mon people, one of Thailand’s many ethnic minority groups, who use the river’s fine clay to produce earthenware pots. Spend the afternoon relaxing on board, watching the vignettes of riverside life unfold as you float by. At 4pm we’ll serve a traditional English afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, scones and dainties, with a selection of teas. 18:30 Arrive at Wat Bang Na, where we moor for the night. 19:30 Relax and freshen up in your private ensuite cabin and then return to the deck for aperitifs and Thai canap�s. 20:00 In front of the quietly serene Wat Bang Na, a dinner of Thai traditional dishes will be served. Relax on deck with a glass of wine or digestive before retiring to your cabin for your first night on the river. Overnight: on board Meals : Lunch/Dinner Day 2: AYUTTHAYA 08:00 An early start and chance to make merit with the Monks of Wat Bang Na and tour the temple. Thai Buddhists believe that by making merit, they earn happiness, peace in life and the chance to progress in their next life. Making merit with the Monks is a wonderfully harmonious way to start the day. 08:45 We will raise the anchor and get underway for the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya 09:00 Freshly prepared continental breakfast is served. A morning of gentle cruising up the Chao Phraya, through the Thai countryside. Recline on a deck lounger and watch the river life float past. 13:00 A light Italian luncheon of pasta and salad served under steam. 14:30 Arrive at Wat Phanancheng where a waiting limousine will transfer you to Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ancient capital was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong and it was from here that Thai’s ruled their Kingdom for 417 years. You’ll spend the afternoon exploring Ayutthaya in the company of an expert guide. There’ll be a chance to explore some of the inner ruins from the back of an elephant. As Ayutthaya is such a large area, the limousine driver will wait for you and take you on a tour of the outer areas of the ancient city. 18:30 From Ayutthaya, you will be transferred by limousine to Bang Pa In, one of the 16 districts of Ayutthaya where you’ll rejoin the Manohra Song. 19:30 Relax and freshen up in your private ensuite cabin and then return to the deck for aperitifs and Asian-inspired canap�s 20:00 For your second night on the river, we’ll serve an Ayutthaya-inspired Thai dinner. Close to Bang Pa In is Wat Nivat - one of the more intriguing Buddhist temples - and this is where we’ll moor for the night. Wat Nivat was constructed at the command of King Rama V in 1878, in the style of an English Gothic church. The temple’s stained glass windows and unusual architecture make it one of the most distinctive Buddhist temples anywhere in Thailand Overnight : on board Meals : Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Day 3: AYUTTHAYA-BANG PA IN-BANG SAI-BANGKOK 08:00 Wake up to the taste of a full English breakfast, freshly prepared at your request in the Manohra Song kitchen. 08:30 Guided tour of Wat Nivat 09:00 From Wat Nivat it is a short walk to the Bang Pa In Summer Palace. The original Bang Pa In Palace was built by King Prasat Thong on a river island and was used as a country residence for the later kings of the Ayutthaya period. However, after the capital moved to Bangkok, Bang Pa In was abandoned for 80 years and revived by King Rama V. He commanded the construction of additional buildings - theatres, temples, monuments in a mixture of European, Chinese and Thai styles. (Golf buggies will be provided to help you to explore the palace ground though the site can be easily walked) 10:30 Cruise underway to Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre. 12:00 A short cruise downriver from Bang Pa In is the Bang Sai village, which enjoys the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen. Here you can see a variety of Thai houses in regional styles and see how Thailand’s rural people make handicrafts such as fern basketry, silk flowers, hand-woven silk and cotton, silk dyeing, wood carving, miniature hand-modeled dolls and traditional furniture. Great place to shop for Thai handicrafts. After a short guided tour, we’ll depart at around 1pm 13:30 Light Thai luncheon under steam 14:30 Quick stop at Wat Poh Thong Bon to feed the fish - a simple way of earning luck and helping the Buddhist cycle of life by feeding the fish so they in turn can beget life. Some of these carp fish are giants! 16:00 Light afternoon tea served on board as we head back towards the outskirts of Bangkok. 18:30 Arrive at the Manohra Cruise Pier for disembarkation. Meals : Breakfast / Lunch The Manorah Cruise is operated by the Marriott Resort & Spa
Prices per person in Thai Baht Double Cabin Single Cabin Boat Charter         Price on request                        - Thai Baht Exchange Rate -  Cruises start every Monday and Thursday       Tour Price Included : Above rates are in Thai Baht inclusive of 10% service charge and 7% tax. Rates are inclusive of all meals, full ground tours program, guide, admission charges to designated places of interest.       Remarks : Alcoholic beverages are excluded and will be billed on consumption basis. Minimum of 2 persons - Maximum 8 persons. Departure from Manohra Cruises Pier at the Marriott Resort & Spa , Oriental Pier or Taksin Pier