Asia Cruise - from Sydney - 120829

The small isle of Phillip Island, the capital of which is Cowes, is off the South coast of Australia and is known primarily for the main attraction, the fairy penguins. They are the smallest of the 18 species of penguin and the only ones that breed off the Australian coast. Visitors can watch from platforms as the penguins return to their nests each evening. The koala sanctuary, a veterinary and breeding centre for koalas, is also well worth a visit. Here, visitors can observe these cute marsupials in their natural habitat. There is also a wildlife park with kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, dingos, tasmanian devils, emus, cockatoos and wombats.

Melbourne is an Australian metropolis founded by settlers in 1835. Unlike Sydney or Hobart, Melbourne was never a prison colony. The city has an individual tradition with beautiful architecture and enchanting art and culture. As well as the settlers, you will also encounter the indigenous people of Austrialia, the Aborigines, in the city. Melbourne has a large number of shopping, cultural, sport and recreational facilities, making it extremely attractive to visitors. Sights include: the city's tram system, the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne University, the Convention Centre and Carlton District Crown.

Adelaide, with a population of 1.08 million, is the capital of South Australia. It proudly calls itself the "Festival City", since it hosts the largest cultural festical in the entire Asia Pacific region every other year in February/March. The streets of the inner city of Adelaide have a grid -iron layout. The most important street in the city is "Rundle Street" which has a large number of department stores, small shops, boutiques and restaurants. But there are still lovely old houses at Adelaide's port, like the police station dating from 1860, a warehouse (1865) and numerous historic residential buildings. Other sights include: "Old Parliament House" dating back to 1855, the Migration Museum, the Australian Museum and two universities (founded in 1847 and 1966).

Albany is the oldest town in Western Australia located on the King George Sound. It was founded in 1826 as a prison settlement. Today, the town is best known for being the holiday and tourist centre of the Great Southern Region. Sights include: the Mount Clarence monument, the Residency Museum, the Old Post Office and the gorge known as "The Gap".

Fremantle was founded in 1829 and was the capital of western Australia in the early 19th century. For many migrants, the harbour represented the gateway to the land "Down Under" and Fremantle developed into a multicultural town. It is most famous for its market.

Komodo is one of the Lesser Sunda lslands, a part of Indonesia as yet almost untouched by tourism. It could have been the set for the film "Jurassic Park", with its prehistoric animals the Komodo dragons and its unique landscape of craggy mountains, grasslands and forests with dried-up riverbeds. There are no roads and only a single village. Not far from Komodo are some of the most beautiful islands with a huge diversity of plant and animal life and fantastic areas for snorkelling in untouched coral colonies.

Benoa is a traditional fishing village in the South of Bali. At the entrance to the port is the Pura Sakenan temple . It is linked with the pilgrimage of the Buddhist saint Dang Hyang Nirartha and is particularly important during the Galungan Festival celebrated every second year.

Benoa is a traditional fishing village in the South of Bali. At the entrance to the port is the Pura Sakenan temple . It is linked with the pilgrimage of the Buddhist saint Dang Hyang Nirartha and is particularly important during the Galungan Festival celebrated every second year.

The Indonesian port of Surabaya on the North-Eastern coast of Java is also called the "city of heroes" on account of its turbulent past. Today, this metropolis with a population of over one million is an important production and trading centre and the second-largest city in Indonesia. From Surabaya it is easy to reach the tiny neighbouring island of Madure, which is famous for its legendary bull races. Sights include: Surabaya zoo, the harbour of Kalima, the martyrs' memorial and Kayoon flower market.

Semarang is the capital and the most important port in the central province of Java. The town is also a centre of the economy and tourism. A visit to the world-famous Buddhist temples of Borobudur in the Provinz Yogyakarta is well worth it. Excavation of the temple began only in 1814 and in 1983 it was declared a national monument by the president in office at that time.

Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia and is situated on the island of Java. The city is a fascinating mix of various cultural influences. The old town with buildings from the Dutch and Portuguese colonial periods is well worth seeing. This is also where you will find the National Monument at Merdeka Square. The Central Museum has an excellent anthropology section and exhibits sculptures from the pre-Hindu era, among other things. The Portuguese church with the huge Dutch pump organ (1695) is also well worth a visit. The modern Istiqlal Mosque in the town centre is one of the largest in the world. The antiques market in Jalan Surabaya (Surabaya street) and the many batik factories in the Karet district are also must-sees. In the South-East of the city is Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, a theme park covering 100 hectares which provides an insight into the (at times very varied) cultures of the 26 Indonesian provinces. Each province is represented in Taman Mini by a scale model house in the respective traditional style. Inside the houses are exhibitions of traditional costumes and handicrafts from the various regions. The majority of the houses also provide cultural tours - an events guide is available at the tourist information office. The Jakarta cultural centre is one of the largest in South East Asia.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The capital of Sri Lanka (which used to be known as "Ceylon"), has developed into an important port for ships travelling in the Far East over the last few years. "Beira Lake" surrounds the town, which is connected to the port by means of a canal. The Clock Tower, from which you can enjoy a wonderful view of the town and the port is well worth seeing. The town also has many buildings built in the 18th and 19th century by the Dutch, such as St. Peter's Church or Pettah, once the Dutch residential area, which today is bursting with a colourful bazaars. To the South of Beira Lake is Victoria Park. Colombo town centre is home to Dehiwela Zoo with animals from all around the world and a daily elephant circus.

Kochi, with a population of 600,000 is celebrated as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea". This sea port at the centre of the Malabar coast grew rich through the export of spices to Europe via the Arabian Sea. The natural harbour of Cochin was created only in the 14th Century as a result of flooding of the lagoon coastline. Expansion work began in 1929. One of the must-sees is the Kathakali dance-drama performed by the natives. Other sights include: "Mattancherry", the Dutch Palace, the synagogue, "Fort Kochi", St. Francis' Church, the Santa Cruz Basilica, the Dutch cemetery, the Chinese fishing nets, Willingdon Island and the Hill Palace Museum.

Bombay, also known as Mumbai, originally consisted of seven islands and was inhabited by fishermen. Today it is an aspiring metropolis, surrounded by the ocean. Mumbai is a pulsating, vibrant city, always open to new ideas and lifestyles. Nevertheless, traditions handed down over centuries still lie hidden in secluded corners and bear witness to Mumbai's opulent past. In the shade of the stone wall against which the waves break along Marina-Promenade, you will occasionally come across a praying Maharashtrian. Bombay is also famous for its film industry, which produces countless romantic and dance films every year. Thus, it is not uncommon to encounter huge crowds blocking the roads in Mumbai, as they stop to cheer and wave at their favourite movie star. Sights include: the Gateway of India, the Prince of Wales Museum, Malabar Hill, Victoria Gardens, Elephanta Island, the Afghan Church and Flora Fountain.

Bombay, also known as Mumbai, originally consisted of seven islands and was inhabited by fishermen. Today it is an aspiring metropolis, surrounded by the ocean. Mumbai is a pulsating, vibrant city, always open to new ideas and lifestyles. Nevertheless, traditions handed down over centuries still lie hidden in secluded corners and bear witness to Mumbai's opulent past. In the shade of the stone wall against which the waves break along Marina-Promenade, you will occasionally come across a praying Maharashtrian. Bombay is also famous for its film industry, which produces countless romantic and dance films every year. Thus, it is not uncommon to encounter huge crowds blocking the roads in Mumbai, as they stop to cheer and wave at their favourite movie star. Sights include: the Gateway of India, the Prince of Wales Museum, Malabar Hill, Victoria Gardens, Elephanta Island, the Afghan Church and Flora Fountain.

The Arabian metropolis of Dubai has a population of 674,000 - 97% of the population of the United Arab Emirates. The city is the economic centre of the union, since it has the only natural harbour at the Persian Gulf. The city is also known for its oil wells. Over the last few years, Dubai has become increasingly popular among tourists since it successfully marries the atmosphere of 'Arabian Nights' with modernity and abstract architecture. Now the historically important buildings and areas of the city are being rebuilt and the trader's district of "Bastaktia" has already been completely restored. Dubai - a city of contrasts. In addition to the traditional places of pilgrimage, this westernised city is home to the only 7-star hotel in the world, "Burj al Arab". It is the tallest, most expensive and most exclusive luxury hotel on the planet and even its immense size and breathtaking architecture are sure to impress. Due to the city's affluence there is almost no crime here. The bustling international port is also a top-class shopping destination. Holidaymakers who enjoy sports will love the excellent sports and recreational facilities in Dubai. The golf courses, watersports facilities, sunbathing on the seemingly endless (and almost deserted!) sandy beaches and desert safaris are the most popular pasttimes. Other attractions in Dubai include: Jumeirah Mosque, the World Trade Center, the royal palaces, Dubai Museum, "Goldsouk" and the spice market.

The Arabian metropolis of Dubai has a population of 674,000 - 97% of the population of the United Arab Emirates. The city is the economic centre of the union, since it has the only natural harbour at the Persian Gulf. The city is also known for its oil wells. Over the last few years, Dubai has become increasingly popular among tourists since it successfully marries the atmosphere of 'Arabian Nights' with modernity and abstract architecture. Now the historically important buildings and areas of the city are being rebuilt and the trader's district of "Bastaktia" has already been completely restored. Dubai - a city of contrasts. In addition to the traditional places of pilgrimage, this westernised city is home to the only 7-star hotel in the world, "Burj al Arab". It is the tallest, most expensive and most exclusive luxury hotel on the planet and even its immense size and breathtaking architecture are sure to impress. Due to the city's affluence there is almost no crime here. The bustling international port is also a top-class shopping destination. Holidaymakers who enjoy sports will love the excellent sports and recreational facilities in Dubai. The golf courses, watersports facilities, sunbathing on the seemingly endless (and almost deserted!) sandy beaches and desert safaris are the most popular pasttimes. Other attractions in Dubai include: Jumeirah Mosque, the World Trade Center, the royal palaces, Dubai Museum, "Goldsouk" and the spice market.