Asia from Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a “Special Administrative Region of China”. It comprises the island of the same name, 259 other islands in the South China Sea, as well as areas of the mainland around the Kowloon Peninsula and in the so-called “New Territories”. Although it was occupied by Chinese settlers as early as the 2nd millennium B.C., the region remained untouched by Chinese imperialism up until the 17th century when it was the setting for a conflict between the Ming and the Manchu dynasties. However it only acquired international interest in the 19th century with the Portuguese being the first Europeans to develop colonies and trade here, silk and tea being the most sought-after goods in Europe

Keelung (sometimes called Jilong) is a major port city in the north-eastern part of Taiwan. It borders Taipei County and forms the Taipei-Keelung metropolitan area together with the City and County of Taipei. Nicknamed the Rainy Port for its frequent rain and its important maritime role, the city is Taiwans second largest seaport (after Kaohsiung). Keelung is currently administered as a provincial city of Taiwan Province in the Republic of China. It has been suggested that the name Keelung was derived from the local mountain whose shape resembles a rooster cage. However, it is more probable that the name was derived from the first inhabitants of the region, like the names of many other Taiwanese cities. Indeed, the areas earliest inhabitants were the Ketagalan people, and Ke-lâng was thus probably derived from Ketagalan.

Naha Port is located on Okinawa prefectures main island, situated 600 kilometers southwest of Japan in the middle of the East China Sea. The population of the prefecture is 1.3 million. Okinawa consists of a few dozen small islands in the southern half of the Nansei Shoto, the island chain which stretches over about one thousand kilometers from Kyushu to Taiwan. Okinawa Prefecture is be divided into three major island groups, the Okinawa Islands (Okinawa Shoto) around Okinawa Island (Okinawa Honto), the Miyako Islands (Miyako Retto) around Miyako Island and the Yaeyama Islands (Yaeyama Retto) around Ishigaki Island. Okinawas climate is subtropical, with temperatures barely falling below 15 degrees in winter.

Kyushus southernmost prefecture contains the city of Kagoshima, overlooked by the majestic volcano of Sakurajima across the bay. Having earned a reputation as “the foremost metropolis of the south, full of graceful refinement and passionate vigor,” Kagoshima is a forward-looking international tourist destination. Its proximity to the Asian mainland and to the islands of the southern seas led Kagoshima to engage in early trade with the world, through the Ryukyu Islands. In addition, it served as an essential gateway the reception of continental and western European culture. As early as the mid-16th century, Francisco Xavier arrived here to become the first person to introduce Christianity to Japan. In the mid-19th century, Kagoshima imported spinning machines from England and established the first Western-style spinning mill in Japan. Thus the shores of this area became the source of modern industrial civilization in our country.

Tokyo, Japan’s busy capital, mixes the ultramodern and the traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers to historic temples. The opulent Meiji Shinto Shrine is known for its towering gate and surrounding woods. The Imperial Palace sits amid large public gardens. The citys many museums offer exhibits ranging from classical art (in the Tokyo National Museum) to a reconstructed kabuki theater (in the Edo-Tokyo Museum).

Kobe is a city on Osaka Bay in central Japan. It is known for its signature marbled beef and scenic setting of mountains framing the harbor. The Ikuta Shrine, dating to the 3rd century, is among Japans oldest Shinto shrines. Antique cable cars connect Kobe to Mt. Rokko, which offers panoramic views over the port. Beyond the Mount Rokko hills are the outdoor hot springs of Arima Onsen.

Nagasaki is the capital of the prefecture of the same name, situated on the island of Kyushu, the third largest island of the Japanese archipelago. The narrow strait of Shimonoseki separates it from Honshu. Kyushu is shaped like an irregular rectangle and features various areas of high ground reaching nearly 1800 meters including Mount Aso, the volcano. The islands climate is characterized by abundant precipitation which encourages the growth of subtropical vegetation. The city of Nagasaki is in the middle of a long bay, the islands best natural port. The residential and commercial area of the city has been built on a small level area, whereas the metropolis of nearly half a million inhabitants extends along two main river valleys, divided by a rocky spur.

The port of Busan, also known as Pusan, is the largest in the country, as well as our dock in South Korea. Seomyeon is the hub of Busan, with a large shopping area. Here there are also local offices of major Korean and international banks, but it is also the entertainment district with cafes, bars and restaurants. Nearby, there is also the market of Bujeon, the largest in the city with things never before seen in the West. Mt. Geumjeongsan offers the ability to scale its heights and visit the Beomeosa temple, associated with Korean Buddhism. Busan attracts tourists with its beautiful beaches, such as Haeundae Beach, its many luxury hotels, and Gwangalli Beach, famous for its bars and restaurants. Finally Taejongdae, located on the Island of Yeongdo, is a natural park with a cliff overlooking the sea.

Hong Kong is a “Special Administrative Region of China”. It comprises the island of the same name, 259 other islands in the South China Sea, as well as areas of the mainland around the Kowloon Peninsula and in the so-called “New Territories”. Although it was occupied by Chinese settlers as early as the 2nd millennium B.C., the region remained untouched by Chinese imperialism up until the 17th century when it was the setting for a conflict between the Ming and the Manchu dynasties. However it only acquired international interest in the 19th century with the Portuguese being the first Europeans to develop colonies and trade here, silk and tea being the most sought-after goods in Europe

Nha Trang is a coastal resort city in southern Vietnam known for its beaches, diving sites and offshore islands. Its main beach is a long, curving stretch along Tran Phu Street backed by a promenade, hotels and seafood restaurants. Aerial cable cars cross over to Hòn Tre Island, and the nature reserves of Hòn Mun and Hòn Tằm islands, reachable by boat, have coral reefs.

From the port of Phu My, where our Costa ship will dock, we can easily reach Ho Chi Minh City, an important city of Vietnam. The port of Phu My is one of the busiest trading ports of Vietnam. Located between two major cities in the country, it is also the place where numerous cruise ships anchor. During this stop you will visit Ho Chi Minh City, the great economic and cultural centre, or Vung Tau, a seaside town is much appreciated by tourists.

Sihanoukville, also known as Kampong Som or Preah Sihanouk, is a coastal city in Cambodia and the capital of Sihanoukville Province, at the tip of an elevated peninsula in the countrys south-west on the Gulf of Thailand.

Ko Samui, Thailand’s second largest island, lies in the Gulf of Thailand off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus. Its known for its palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves and dense, mountainous rainforest, plus luxury resorts and posh spas. The landmark 12m-tall golden Big Buddha statue at Wat Phra Yai Temple is located on a tiny island connected to Ko Samui by a causeway.

Singapore was a small commercial centre in the powerful Srivijaya empire of Sumatra and later, towards the middle of the 13th century, a puppet state of the Majapahit empire in Java, while in the 15th and 16th century it became part of the sultanate of Johor. Singapore’s more recent history is inextricably linked to the figure of Sir Stamford Raffles, an official in the East India Company. With a treaty stipulated with the sultan of Johor in 1819, he established a British settlement in Singapore. He then made the city a resting point to restock the ships of the British Empire and to halt the Dutch expansionist policy.

Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital of Brunei, a tiny nation on the island of Borneo. It’s known for the opulent Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, adorned with chandeliers, stained glass and Italian marble, and surrounded by a lagoon. Nearby, the Royal Regalia Building showcases a gold carriage and lavish gifts presented to the sultan. To the northwest is the Jame’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, with 29 golden domes

Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital of Brunei, a tiny nation on the island of Borneo. It’s known for the opulent Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, adorned with chandeliers, stained glass and Italian marble, and surrounded by a lagoon. Nearby, the Royal Regalia Building showcases a gold carriage and lavish gifts presented to the sultan. To the northwest is the Jame’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, with 29 golden domes

Puerto Princesa is a coastal city on Palawan Island in the western Philippines. Its a base for boat trips through the massive limestone caves and underground river of the biodiverse Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Dive sites are dotted around Puerto Princesa Bay, home to long-nosed dolphins, turtles and rays. Close to the port is the 19th-century Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral.

Hong Kong is a “Special Administrative Region of China”. It comprises the island of the same name, 259 other islands in the South China Sea, as well as areas of the mainland around the Kowloon Peninsula and in the so-called “New Territories”. Although it was occupied by Chinese settlers as early as the 2nd millennium B.C., the region remained untouched by Chinese imperialism up until the 17th century when it was the setting for a conflict between the Ming and the Manchu dynasties. However it only acquired international interest in the 19th century with the Portuguese being the first Europeans to develop colonies and trade here, silk and tea being the most sought-after goods in Europe