Ports of Call continued
KOSAMUI, THAILAND
Queen Elizabeth
Beach lovers, look no further! Thailand’s third largest island draws understandable acclaim with its flawless sands and shallow iridescent waters. It’s no great surprise that Ko Samui has garnered the odd resort or two, yet a thriving rustic coconut farming industry pays testament to a lingering sense of untouched paradise.
KUALA LUMPUR (FROM PORT KELANG), MALAYSIA
Queen Elizabeth
Welcome to KL, a bubbling melting pot of cultures. Wonder at the soaring Petronas Towers then wander Central Market’s jumble of batik painters, shadow puppeteers and glass blowers. Nearby, the Batu Caves frame their inner secrets with jagged limestone: deft wall paintings, wonderful statues and gleaming Hindu shrines among them.
LAHAINA, HAWAII
Queen Elizabeth
Glimpse the emerald heart of this stunning isle at Iao National Park, whose Iao Needle towers up 1,200 feet, then bask in the crystalline waters of Big Beach. Staying in Lahaina is an invitation to browse dozens of art galleries for paintings, ceramics and wood carvings, before settling back with a fruit punch to scan the horizon for humpback whales.
LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA
Queen Elizabeth
This cluster of 99 islands boasts palm-fringed beaches that are the envy of all Malaysia beside an abundance of other natural wonders shrouded in folklore. Among these are the Telaga Tujuh, or the Seven Wells, a series of shallow lagoons threaded together by waterfalls where fairies reputedly bathe amidst the verdant lime trees.
LIMO’ N, COSTA RICA
Queen Elizabeth
Set foot on ‘the Rich Coast’ to appreciate just how rich it really is. Strolling the city’s palm- lined promenade or verdant Parque Vargas will tell you that much. But no visit would be complete without admiring the vast swathes of dense rainforest, and Braulio Carillo National Park obliges with an aerial tram ride through the lush canopy.
LISBON, PORTUGAL
Queen Elizabeth
In Belem, seek out the much photographed Monument to the Discoveries, old watchtower and superb Jeronimos Monastery. Ascend to the Bairro Alto by the century-old Elevador do Carmo, where you may hear mournful fado singers. Or venture into the Moorish Alfama district, winding around the impressive Castelo de São Jorge.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Queen Elizabeth
This is the home of Hollywood, so spend the day star-gazing. Look up at the world’s most celebrated real estate sign, then compare handprints with silver screen icons outside Mann’s Chinese Theatre. Or go behind the scenes on a tour of Universal Studios, glimpsing the soundstages and movie sets that bring legendary films to life.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
Queen Elizabeth
Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market crams all manner of mouthwatering stalls into an incredible 17 hectares, just as it has for 120 years. Tempting goodies on display range from fresh fish to exotic fruits, from succulent meats to colourful sweets. Just don’t be put off by the quirky fact that the site once housed the city’s first burial ground!
MONTECARLO, MONACO
Queen Mary 2
Famed for royal romances, spinning roulette wheels and Grand Prix, this tiny principality is big on glamour. In the Prince’s Palace, admire its Louis XV Salon, resplendent in yellow and gold, and the courtyard with its sumptuous marble double staircase. Or try your luck at that most illustrious landmark, the Grand Casino.
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY
Queen Mary 2
Which side of Uruguay will you uncover? The stately palm-fringed boulevards of the capital, basking in a decidedly European air. Or a glimpse of the gaucho spirit on an authentic estancia, as you admire daredevil horsemanship, displays of throwing bolas, three stones linked by a leather strap, and a delicious beef churrasco or barbecue.
MUSCAT, OMAN
Queen Elizabeth
In this low-rise gem, wedged between Arabian Gulf and scenic mountains, your first impression will be of the trio of forts dominating its entrance. Once ashore witness lavish palaces, Zawawi Mosque, its pink marble crowned by a gilded dome, and Muttrah Souq, a jumble of crafts and clothing perfumed with spices and frankincense.
NAGASAKI, JAPAN
Queen Mary 2
On Japan’s south-western tip, recall Nagasaki’s tragic history at the Peace Park. Then explore Chinese influences at the Sofukuji temple or the Confucian Shrine, with its curved roofs and scarlet pillars. Though the land on which it stands actually belongs to China, the latter is the only such shrine built by the Chinese beyond their own borders.
NEW YORK
Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
Admire all the glitz, glamour and bright lights of the Big Apple, or just come for the stores. There’s Bloomingdale’s on Lex, Tiffany’s on Fifth, Barneys and the unique boutiques along Madison. If you’ve not quite sated your appetite, there’s still time to delve into those trendy shops of SoHo.
NHA TRANG, VIETNAM
Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
Simply bask on pristine beaches to the sounds of whispering palms or wander from temple to serene local temple. Then again, you may hop across to nearby Monkey Island. You can walk freely through the forested interior, where literally hundreds of the inquisitive creatures play, chatter and hunt out berries in the treetops.
PAGOPAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA
Queen Elizabeth
Attend an authentic Samoan-style family gathering. After winding your way through the tropical South Seas scenery, adjourn to the local beach to greet your hosts. You may get to see islanders scaling coconut palms and an umu cooking demonstration using hot river rocks. Then the main highlight: tasting these local delicacies.
PENANG, MALAYSIA
Queen Elizabeth
This former British trading post is poetically named after the pinang or betel-nut palm tree and linked to the mainland by a striking 13km road bridge. Treats in store include the huge reclining gilded Buddha of Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple, or the bizarre Snake Temple, swarming with venomous serpents rendered harmless by heady incense!
PERTH (FROM FREMANTLE), AUSTRALIA
Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
You’ve not really seen Perth until you’ve seen it from King’s Park. On the scenic slopes of Mount Eliza, this old aboriginal gathering place today draws visitors appreciative of its fabulous flowers, treetop walkway and sweeping vistas of modern glass buildings which glint in the sunshine against the sparkling Indian Ocean.
PHUKET, THAILAND
Queen Mary 2
Once a booming producer of rubber and tin, Phuket has gained a glowing reputation for the impossible beauty of its white sand crescents lapped by clear waters. Seek out drama beneath the surface as you dive or snorkel amidst a swirling rainbow of marine life, or marvel at the majestic limestone pillars jutting from the sea in Phang Nga Bay.
The most fa mous ocean liners in the w orld
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