South East Asia Cruise - from Singapore - 129880

Singapore is a city state at the lower end of the Malay Peninsula, only around 100 km North of the equator. Today the city is one of the most important ports and trading centres in South East Asia. Singapore has a population of over 3 million, including first and foremost Chinese, Malaysians and Indians. Europeans and other ethnic groups round off the city of many nationalities and four official languages. Visitors will notice the spotlessly clean and well-kept roads and squares; Singapore is also one of the safest cities in the world. Some interesting buildings dating from the colonial era have been placed under preservation order, including several former British administrative buildings and Raffles Hotel, whose guests included many authors. From the southern shore of the Singapore River visitors can take a boat trip around the river and Marina Bay. Sights include: the shopping street Orchard Road, Chinatown, Little India, Singapore River, the Botanic Gardens, the zoo and Fort Canning.

Port Kelang, the largest port in the country and the gateway to the capital of Kuala Lumpur, lies in the most progressive and most densely populated region in Malaysia and has the most historial sites in the country. The city is a melting pot of the Malayan, Chinese and Indian lifestyles. As well as the tallest twin towers in the world, modern business centres and traditional craft enterprises, colourful temples and mosques, the city also boasts the best fish restaurants in the country.

The island of Penang is also a federal state on the west coast of the peninsula. It is Malaysia's most famous destination, and hardly needs an introduction. Georgetown is known not only as a city full of history, but also for the long beach at Batu Feringghi with its lovely hotels and the expansive view of the sea. The island is connected to the mainland by the Penang Bridge, measuring 13.5 km in length, making it one of the longest bridges in Asia. Sights include: Fort Cornwallis, which today is home to an outdoor museum and acts as an open-air theatre, Penang Bird Park, the Orchid and Hibiscus Garden, the leisure park at Bukit Mertajam and the small but extremely interesting butterfly farm just North of Batu Feringghi.

Yangon, which until 1989 was known as Rangoon, is the capital of Myanmar (Burma). It lies in the fertile delta in the South of Myanmar, around 30 km from the sea by the wide Yangon River. The city differs markedly from other Asian cities of a similar size in that it has a lot of trees: this means that some areas of the city seem almost forest-like, so that one might almost forget that Yangon has a population of 4 million. The landmark of this exotic metropolis is the golden Shvedagon pagoda, a Buddhist sanctuary dating from the 18th century that stands 112 m high. Located on a hill, it dominates the image of the city and was described by Kipling as a "shimmering wonder". Highly symbolic sites that featured in the movement for democracy are the Martyr's Mausoleum and the house of Aung San Suu Kyi. Other sights include: the colonial architecture of the legendary beach hotel and the reclining Buddha in the Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda.

Yangon, which until 1989 was known as Rangoon, is the capital of Myanmar (Burma). It lies in the fertile delta in the South of Myanmar, around 30 km from the sea by the wide Yangon River. The city differs markedly from other Asian cities of a similar size in that it has a lot of trees: this means that some areas of the city seem almost forest-like, so that one might almost forget that Yangon has a population of 4 million. The landmark of this exotic metropolis is the golden Shvedagon pagoda, a Buddhist sanctuary dating from the 18th century that stands 112 m high. Located on a hill, it dominates the image of the city and was described by Kipling as a "shimmering wonder". Highly symbolic sites that featured in the movement for democracy are the Martyr's Mausoleum and the house of Aung San Suu Kyi. Other sights include: the colonial architecture of the legendary beach hotel and the reclining Buddha in the Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda.

Yangon, which until 1989 was known as Rangoon, is the capital of Myanmar (Burma). It lies in the fertile delta in the South of Myanmar, around 30 km from the sea by the wide Yangon River. The city differs markedly from other Asian cities of a similar size in that it has a lot of trees: this means that some areas of the city seem almost forest-like, so that one might almost forget that Yangon has a population of 4 million. The landmark of this exotic metropolis is the golden Shvedagon pagoda, a Buddhist sanctuary dating from the 18th century that stands 112 m high. Located on a hill, it dominates the image of the city and was described by Kipling as a "shimmering wonder". Highly symbolic sites that featured in the movement for democracy are the Martyr's Mausoleum and the house of Aung San Suu Kyi. Other sights include: the colonial architecture of the legendary beach hotel and the reclining Buddha in the Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda.

Visitors to Thailand's largest island can look forward to paradise beaches, a varied landscape, a bustling provincial capital and a wide variety of recreational activities. It's no wonder that Phuket, with its 215,000 inhabitants, is South-East Asia's most popular holiday island. The island's beauty lies in its magical coastline. There are gently sloping white sandy beaches with still waters and precipitous headlands with thunderous crashing waves. The town centre of Phuket is a popular destination for shopping. Sights include: Thai Village, a Thai-Folklore village with a cultural performance featuring traditional Thai dancing, sword-fighting and Thai boxing, Thalang National Museum, the Wat Phra Thong temple with a partially-buried statue of Buddha.

From the West Coast of the Malacca peninsula (West Malaysia) direct on the border with Thailand, is a group of islands including the main island "Palau Langkawi". Visitors are enchanted by the long, palm-lined beaches and dreamy little sandy coves that hide the odd secluded fishing village. The jungle further inland is a sanctuary for many species of birds. Another rarity is the almost 100 metre-high island of bats. A trip to the island capital of Kuah with its beach promenades and shopping arcades is well worth it. Incidentally, Langkawi is a duty-free free trade area. A visit to the marble tomb of the Malayan Princess Mahsuri is also a must.

Melaka is on the south-western coast of the peninsula of Malaysia. The small capital of Melaka City boasts various architectural styles and trends, attributable to its earlier rulers. Several languages are spoken here. Not far from the city centre is a Portuguese village where the decendants of the Portuguese settled. Sights include: Hang Li Po's spring, the Dutch 'Stadthuys' (built between 1641 and 1660), the huge fortified gate "Porta di Santiago" (built at the end of the 18th century), the Sultan's Palace in Melaka, St. Francis Xavier's church, and Christ Church.

Singapore is a city state at the lower end of the Malay Peninsula, only around 100 km North of the equator. Today the city is one of the most important ports and trading centres in South East Asia. Singapore has a population of over 3 million, including first and foremost Chinese, Malaysians and Indians. Europeans and other ethnic groups round off the city of many nationalities and four official languages. Visitors will notice the spotlessly clean and well-kept roads and squares; Singapore is also one of the safest cities in the world. Some interesting buildings dating from the colonial era have been placed under preservation order, including several former British administrative buildings and Raffles Hotel, whose guests included many authors. From the southern shore of the Singapore River visitors can take a boat trip around the river and Marina Bay. Sights include: the shopping street Orchard Road, Chinatown, Little India, Singapore River, the Botanic Gardens, the zoo and Fort Canning.