Cruising EXOTIC ASIA

PLACES, PEOPLE, SITES, SOUNDS – EXHILARATING IN SO MANY WAYS

who doesn’t adore a good cruise? Big ships, small ships, riverboats – we love them all! And Asia is right up there on the list of the most amazing waterways to travel! Think the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Bali, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Japan, India, Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan, Borneo, Sri Lanka and more. So exotic, so exciting! So let’s look at five compelling reasons to take your next shipboard vacation along the rivers of these astoundingly beautiful places – and then return home renewed.

1 ASIA IS BIG, BIG, BIG

Choices! You can consider everything from India all the way around Southeast Asia to China and Japan as on the menu. And you don’t have to sail on the sea only. Asia has fascinating rivers like the Mekong, Ganges and Irrawaddy, all overflowing with exotic cultures, stunning scenery, rare wildlife, crazy shopping and superb cuisine. Some cruises will allow you to visit several countries on a single journey, delivering exceptional value for your holiday dollar. Air links now connect just about every city through the major hubs like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.

2 ASIA IS HISTORY

Treasures! You might be interested in archaeology, mysticism, spiritualism or anthropology. If so, you can find all of this in abundance throughout Asia. From the iconic holy rivers of India to the historic, life-giving waterways of Cambodia, Burma and Vietnam, there are entire civilisations to be explored and absorbed. Take shore excursions to visit serene, centuries-old temples or the remnants of once great kingdoms like the magnificent Angkor Wat or imposing Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima. And many cruise lines will have expert guides and speakers aboard for your added enrichment.

3 ASIA IS SHOPPING

Heaven! We know this and while you can probably buy cheaply online, there are many things you simply cannot get on ebay, such as the sheer exhilaration of bartering with a silk trader in the steamy alleys of Bangkok or buying an exquisite hard-carved jade amulet from a Taiwanese artisan in Taipei. These precious souvenirs will forever remind you of that full sensory experience, bringing back all those sights and smells. Then you could explore the labyrinthine markets of Phnom Penh or Saigon, looking for antiques and trinkets.

4 ASIA IS CUISINE

Sensational! We love eating out and some of our fave restaurants are Thai, Indian and Chinese. But you’ve never had Asian food quite like that on the streets of Hong Kong, Tokyo or Hanoi. Whether it’s in a noisy bolthole or a posh eatery, feasting on authentic pad thai or spicy sambol in Asia is an experience all on its own. You can explore for the many food districts popular in the major cities, picking up inexpensive bites as you go or you can settle in to a sophisticated fine dining in Tokyo which, by the way, boasts the most number of Michelinstarred restaurants in the world.

5 ASIA IS WILDLIFE

Amazing! Whether you love the many species of colourful birds, the giant reptiles of Komodo or the serene creatures of the sea, Asia delivers exhilarating wildlife, especially along the many mysterious rivers that run deep inland to remote reserves and sanctuaries. You can watch rhinoceros graze unmolested in the marshes of Kaziranga, or visit a humane elephant reserve in Sri Lanka or Thailand. You maybe able to dive on reefs or swim with mighty whale sharks in the Maldives, Indonesia or the Philippines, or visit the famous orangutan sanctuaries in Borneo where rescued animals are prepared for release back into the wild. Asia, love, love, love!