Guided by a vision of her recently deceased mother, Dallas socialite Barbara Allan travels through Cambodia searching for clues about her mother's enigmatic past. After a busy two-week adventure tour, Barbara intends to rest on a tropical island off the southern coast, but instead contracts a deadly virus that's swept the country.

Her tour guide, Dara, unemployed because of tourists' fear of the virus, helps Barbara recover. Determined to uncover her mother's secrets, Barbara and Dara motorcycle up the east bank of the Mekong River. On their way, they discover an irresistible attraction that only grows stronger as they unravel the mystery of Barbara's mother's early life in Cambodia, with the help of the wise, altruistic Chantha.