Far East Cruises

Far East & Asia Cruise

From the lights of the big cities of Tokyo, Beijing and Bangkok to the beaches of Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. Asia and the Far East is a vibrant, exciting mix of old & new, the sedate & fast paced.  Asia is an intriguing destination offering everything you could ever need, white sandy beaches, diverse cultures, ancient temples, colourful marine life & ultra modern cities.

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Singapore

Singapore is home to Raffles Hotel, built in 1887 and declared a National Monument exactly 100 years later. It is one of the world's last remaining Victorian grand hotels of the East. Somerset Maugham, Rudyard Kipling, Joseph Conrad and Charlie Chaplain made it a favourite retreat and today, tourists continue to flock for afternoon tea in the Tiffin Room and a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar. The four main districts of Singapore's Chinatown each have a distinctive flavour. Night Safari is billed as the world's first and only night zoo, with over 1200 animals, while the largest bird park in South East Asia, Jurong Bird Park, is a refuge for more than 8000 birds of 600 different species. Sentosa Island is a purpose-built island theme park and offers beaches, history, golf, gastronomy and a host of themed attractions. The National Orchid Garden, in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, has the world's largest orchid display. Other attractions include the Asian Civilisations Museum, the colonial architecture of the Supreme Court and the City Hall, site of the Japanese surrender to Lord Mountabatten in 1945.

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Bangkok

Thailand's capital, although increasingly westernised in appearance, is underpinned by a strong sense of tradition. Through the city flows the Chao Phraya River on whose banks can be found the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo, a temple complex which houses the Emerald Buddha. Upriver from the Grand Palace are the Royal Barges these richly ornamented barges are still used today for special processions on the Chao Phraya. Within the city limits is a wealth of over 300 Buddhist temples and shrines. Most famous are Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple), Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and Wat Trimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha). One of the largest temple complexes in the country is Wat Pho. Altogether, there are over 30 individual temples scattered here, of which the Temple of the Reclining Buddha is the largest. The gardens surrounding the  temples offer an escape from the hectic pace of the big city, while the Floating Market is an interesting place to visit, although it is now more of a tourist attraction rather than a genuine market for Thai people.

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Hong Kong

Hong Kong, on the South China Sea, with China to the north, comprises the island of Hong Kong, the Kowloon Peninsula, Stonecutter and Lantau Islands and the New Territories - in all 415 sq miles (1076 sqkm). From 1949 until 1962, an influx of  refugees from China settled in Hong Kong, and today it is home to a population of 6 million. Its enormous harbour, vast industrialization and free port status make it a major Asian crossroad, and perhaps the best place to shop in the world. But for the visitor shopping is only one of many highlights, since there is much more to do and see in this picturesque, bustling metropolis. Take the Tram up Victoria Peak to see a spectacular 360-degree view of the island on a clear day. In the fishing harbour of Aberdeen, board one of Hong Kong's fabled sampan boats for a cruise through the bustling harbour, site of Hong Kong's legendary seafood restaurants. Also visit the Wong Tai Sin Temple, Lantau Island Monastery, Kowloon and the New Territories.

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Shanghai

Shanghai, situated on the banks of the Yangtze River Delta in East China, is China's largest city by population. Widely regarded as the citadel of China's modern economy, the city also serves as one of the most important cultural, commercial, financial, industrial and communications centres of China. Administratively, Shanghai is a municipality of the People's Republic of China that has province-level status. Shanghai is also one of the world's busiest ports, and became the largest cargo port in the world in 2005.

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Pusan

Busan Metropolitan City, also commonly referred to as Pusan, is the largest harbour city in South Korea. With a population of about 3.65 million, Busan is also South Korea's second largest metropolis, after Seoul. The densely populated city is situated in the narrow Nakdong River valley, with mountains separating some of the various districts. Busan was the host city of the 2002 Asian Games and APEC 2005. It was also one of the host cities for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Administratively, it is designated as a Metropolitan City. On November 14, 2005, the city officially announced its bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics Games.

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Beijing

Beijing, a city in northern China (formerly spelled in English as Peking or Peiking), is the capital of the People's Republic of China. Beijing is one of the four municipalities of the PRC, equivalent to a province in China's administrative structure. Beijing Municipality borders Hebei Province to the north, west, south, and for a small section in the east, and Tianjin Municipality to the southeast. Beijing is China's second largest city in terms of population, after Shanghai. It is a major transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and expressways entering and leaving it in all directions. It is also the focal point of many international flights to China. Beijing is recognized as the political, educational, and cultural centre of the People's Republic of China, while Shanghai and Hong Kong predominate in economic fields. Beijing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. It also hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics.

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