Grand Voyages - 2009 - (Page 24) Dragons & Dynasties 3 3 - DAY SY DneY To SIngAPoRe The fresh, can-do spirit of Australia gives way to Asia’s many mysteries: Indonesian islands where Komodo dragons swagger, oil-rich sultanates in Malaysia, serene rice terraces in Vietnam, ultra-modern Chinese cities evolving right before your eyes. China Highlights KO m O D O D R AG O N S The largest lizards on earth, averaging eight feet in length and weighing 200 pounds, are nonetheless fast-moving and agile, able to climb trees and swim in pursuit of a carnivorous meal. HO N G KO N G Leaving behind sublime Sydney, the ms Rotterdam calls next on melbourne, where Victorian-era buildings line shady boulevards, gracious parks and gardens beckon, and the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Centre offers a glimpse into this fascinating 5,000year-old culture. The solid stone architecture of Adelaide belies a spirited city known for its festivals and food, shopping and sports, gardens and parklands. Then it is on to vibrant Perth, where a yachtfilled harbor and glittering skyscrapers attest to the city’s affluence. Things to do: Take a river cruise to neighboring Fremantle, trail blaze into the bush to shear sheep or head to the Swan Valley to taste wine. Lombok, with its beautiful beaches and temples, is our first taste of Indonesia, a peaceful time-out before sailing into the sweeping arc of Slawi Bay on Komodo. There be dragons here — fiercesome Komodo dragons — and the chance to view these giant lizards in the wild promises to be a lifetime memory. Then, it’s on to Semarang, once crossroads for busy Dutch, Javanese and Chinese trade, today a modern metropolis. Hong Kong. If you are a shopper, welcome to heaven. Cameras, carpets, jade, electronics, pearls — all are for sale in the gloriously tumultuous Stanley Market or the alleys of Kowloon. Our extended stay here even allows for the ultimate Hong Kong pleasure: having apparel made by one of the city’s fine tailors. In China’s race to modernity, Shanghai sets the pace. This city of 20 million is evolving right before your eyes. Prepare for contrast, seeing painted Tang-dynasty cranes in the Shanghai Museum and industrial cranes everywhere, adding the next architectural wonder to the city’s skyline. Still, you can feel Shanghai’s silk and opium past in the peaceful Yu Yuan gardens of Old Town or as you stroll past the old stone buildings that line the Bund. Two final calls before Singapore, first on Vietnam’s Nha Trang, offering beaches, a huge White Buddha and ancient Buddhist Cham Towers, then on to Kemaman, malaysia where delightful beaches and swaying palm trees entice. Two extra-long days in this dynamic city give you the chance to take a tram ride to the top of Victoria Peak, take a tai chi master class, indulge in foot reflexology or travel overland to Beijing. R AFFLE S H OT E L Visit the famed Singapore landmark, the venerable property beloved by royalty, celebrities, writers and generations of travelers. L E F T TO R IGH T Witness the giant Komodo dragons of Indonesia. explore art and antiquities in the Shanghai Museum. Discover Vietnam’s peaceful countryside. 24 e-brochures available online
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