Going Ashore

Excursions

When moored you are welcome to come and go from the ship as much as you like. Our next sailing time will be advised on the Daily Schedule and passengers are requested to note this before disembarkation. Group shore excursions are organised by the Purser and you will be accompanied by a member of the ship's company. Details of these are posted on the Daily Schedule. Fifteen minutes prior to casting off the captain will sound the ship's horn to warn you to return to the ship. Passengers should hang their keys on the key board hanging adjacent to the gang plank when disembarking so that we know if anyone has not returned. If you go ashore with your cabin keys and we leave without you we can not be held responsible for this.

Guides

All guides services are in the English language. Guides in other languages may be supplied by special arrangement at additional cost which may include using guest acommodation at guest rates.

Gangways

Because of the varying nature of the river bank the method of getting ashore may differ from time to time and on occasions access may be difficult. We will ensure the gangways are safe and that crew and team are on hand to assist you.

Etiquette

South-East Asians are generally tolerant and easy going. Please try to avoid political discussion and remember that the Vietnamese national hero "Uncle" Ho Chi Minh enjoys near divine stature and any disrespect shown to his name or memory can cause extreme offence. Despite opening the door to Capitalism Vietnam remains a fervently Communist society with a dominant Communist Party. Likewise in Myanmar please do not raise political issues with people - let them raise them with you. You could compromise people and even get them into trouble by talking politics.

Particularly in Myanmar and Cambodia, one thing that does cause upset is any form of disrespect for the national religion, Theravada Buddhism. Unlike many faiths, Buddhists make their temples open to us foreigners, permitting the snapping of cameras and invasion of their sacred space. They ask only one thing: that we take our shoes off. Even socks are forbidden. In addition please observe the following:

• Try not to point with your feet.
• In the company of monks or elders never cross your legs.
• Do not touch people on the head or upper body.
• When beckoning someone to come over do not flap your hand in the standard Western 'come here' motion; instead turn the hand round so that your palm flaps down towards yourself.
• Do not shake hands with monks or nuns as people in general rarely shake hands; rather smile and nod away.
• Females should never sit down next to a monk.
• Shorts and skirts should be longish; for both sexes it is OK to expose arms.

Buying Things

Bargaining is quite normal in tourist centers. The best technique is to ask for a discount as if you are asking for a favour. There are few souvenirs on offer in the non-touristic villages we stop at.

Pandaw Pro Bono Projects

The Pandaw pursers and staff over the past years have been involved in a number of projects that will directly benefit the river village communities we visit. In 2002 we completed a new school for the village of Yandabo (Myanmar). Funds for this were raised by the Pandaw passengers and the project managed by Pandaw staff. We are currently looking for new projects in which to help the local people who offer us such warm welcomes. These projects are in no way connected with governments or NGOs with costly administrations so we can be sure that all funds rose go right to the end user.