31 DAYS AND 29 NIGHTS FROM LOS ANGELES -- Manila (2N) Kota Kinabalu (1N) Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei) (2N) Kuching (2N) Bali (3N)Yogyakarta (1N) Jakarta (1N) Singapore (2N) Malacca (2N) Kuala Lumpur (2N) Bangkok (3N) Chiang Mai (2N) Chiang Rai (1N) Bangkok (1N) Hong Kong (3N)
Depart across Pacific and International Date Line, losing a day en route.
Arrive today in capital and major city of Ang Pilipinas, "the Philippines" as the Philippine archipelago is officially called in the native Pilipino language, a beautiful metropolis of scenic vistas and broad boulevards ruled by Spain from 16th century until her war with America in 1896. Rest of day at leisure
The city you visit today is rich in historical associations distant and recent, with Spain's cultrual legacy much in evidence. A half-day tour during which you will notice the ubiquitous, fancifully decorated "jeepneys" (taxi-buses converted from US jeeps) includes: spacious Rizal Park, Intramuros, the old 16th century Spanish walled city including Fort Santiago and the Manila Cathedral; Santo Tomas University; the Malacanang Palace from which President Marcos fled in 1986 into exile; and the American Memorial Cemetery, a somber reminder of the fierce, often brutal struggle here more than a half-century ago.Afternoon is free for shopping or optional tours.
Two-hour flight from Manila down to the district capital of Kota Kinabalu in the Malaysian state of Sabah on the northeastern tip of the huge island of Borneo; together Sabah and adjoining Sarawak comprise the "East Malaysia" complement to the other 11 states of Malaysia facing them across the South China Sea from the Malay peninsula. Rest of day is free.
Morning tour of Kota Kinabalu, rebuilt in high-rise fashion after World War II's destruction ; see marketplace, Signal Hill and the handsome gold-domed State Mosque. Later fly the short hop to Bandar Seri Begawan, ("BSB") capital of the tiny independent Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam -- a most affluent kingdom led by a fabulously rich potentate (estimated net worth: $35-40 billion) whose wealth earned him star billing on "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" -- and, more importantly, allows him to carry out the high Islamic ideals of private charity and civic benevolence.
Thus does His Majesty Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah -- a progressive traditionalist blessed with 2 wives and a 1788-room palace connected to an 800-car garage -- provide his subjects with a living standard combining the ideal fantasies of liberal Democrats (lavish cradle-to-grave social welfare benefits) and conservative Republicans (zero taxes), thanks mostly to income from Brunei's oil and gas deposits. Morning city tour visits Brunei Museum, mausoleum of Sultan Bolkiah V, King's Palace and Anglophile Churchill Memorial. Afternoon choice: Kampong Ayer (huge village on stilts ) or Brunei river jungle cruise.
Flight to Kuching, the riverine capital of resource-rich Malaysian state of Sarawak, where you see the Istana (palace) built by an English adventurer , "Rajah" Charles Brooke; Fort Margherita , Chinese temple, landscaped parks and gardens and the very impressive Sarawak museum filled with Borneon ethnological and archaeological materials making it one of Asia's finest museums and a reflection of the rich diversity of local peoples and cultures..
Excursion into the interior for a Skrang River safari, riding the shallow river, sometimes shooting the rapids for an exciting and scenic venture into encountering the native ways of the Iban longhouse dwellers, hospitable and gracious people who live and work side by side in 20-family communal arrangements under one palm leafed roof in a living setting of great anthropological -- and thus great simply human -- interest. (Overnight stays are also sometimes arranged.).
Today you fly south to one of the handful of truly unique and deservedly legendary places on earth -- the Indonesian isle of Bali, where reality itself in the shape of the graceful native peoples, the lush green earth of rice paddies and blooming tropical flowers, the overarching, pastel-tinted sky, dark chain of volcanic mountains and vast surrounding ocean seems at times, particularly at dusk, to take on a dreamlike, enchanted and deeply mysterious aura. Rest of day free to absorb the special ambiance of this
"Island of the Gods" -- an idyllic Eden encompassed in 1325 square miles.
A mere speck in the immense 13600-island Indonesian archipelago, Bali nevertheless has extraordinary natural beauties and cultural riches you may sample in your choice of tours during your stay: Denpasar city tour visits markets, Museum Bali, arts center and batik workshop and includes colorful barong dance performance of artistes trained at the local acclaimed Konservatori Kerawitan. Another classic is the celebrated Kecak or Monkey Dance, an exciting large ensemble evening show. Tour to art colony of Ubud with its paintings and museum plus nearby Mas (woodcarving) Celuk (gold and silver) and Batubulan (stone carving). Temple tours are extraordinary high points of the Balinese experience: Mengwi (Royal Temple of Taman Ayun) and the breathtaking Sea Temple of Tanah Lot; or full day tour including Goa Gajah Elephant Cave, Holy Springs Temple of Tampaksiring and 13th-century Kehen Temple.
Fly west to the big Indonesian island of Java and its major city Yogyakarta, where morning tour includes the expansive Kraton, the l8th century sultan's palace decorated in traditional Javanese style and Sonobudoyo Museum with its impressive batik and textile collections. Afternoon excursion to the largest Buddhist temple in the world, the stunning 9th century edifice at Borobudur built under the great Sailendra dynasty and rediscovered one millenium later in 1814 on the jungle-overgrown Central Java plateau by none other than the intrepid Stamford Raffles.
Morning flight to Indonesia's capital city. Afternoon city tour highlights: National Museum (a world-class collection of native antiquities and ethnic artwork, including superb 1400-year-old stone carvings and statuary of extraordinary power and delicacy), National Monument, President's Palace, Glodok (Chinatown) and Sunda Kelapa harbor area. Optional: unique Komodo dragons at the huge Jakarta Zoo, or excursion to Bogor's gorgeous 275-acre botanical gardens, 40 miles from Jakarta. See performance of wayang golek (elaborate marionettes) and wayang kulit (shadow plays using puppets) of legendary tales and epics -- together with gamelan music they are utterly distinctive and fascinating Indonesian art forms.
Morning flight into this clean, orderly, prosperous and peaceful multi-ethnic city-state whose civic and cultural life has been enhanced by a succession of strong and creative personalities, from founder Sir Stamford Raffles, writer Somerset Maugham, Cambridge University-educated Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew to the Armenian Sarkies brothers, creators of historic Raffles Hotel, and barman Ngiam Young Boon who concocted there the legendary libation known to the world as The Singapore Sling. And tonight you can enjoy sipping one during a welcome banquet with an ASEAN dinner show.
The Republic of Singapore, former crown coloney of Britain and remarkable "Asia in miniature" is filled with the intermixed babble of Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English as you move from jasmine-scented Little India and its shops of shimmering silken saris to Chinatown's noodle factories, herbal medicine specialists, tea, ceramics and antique vendors to the bustling bazaar of Arab Street, its stalls lined with prayer rugs and gorgeous batiks. See city harbor, its merlion statue, stately government buildings, Princess Place and Sri Mariamman temple.. Conclude with an Instant Asia Cultural Show, a proud affirmation of ethnic diversity and civic solidarity through song and dance.
Drive by air conditioned motorcoach to the old Malaysian city of Malacca via a scenic ride through the pineapple plantations and rubber estates of Johor state, the southernmost "Last Frontier" of mainland Asia and the state capital Johor Bahru.
Tour of this charming old port city's sights, many of them evidence of Malacca's colonization by Portuguese, Dutch, English and -- earliest of all -- China: the Porta de Santiago, Stadthuys and Malacca Museum plus Cheng Hoon Teng temple and Bukit China cemetery reflect the past when Indian, Chinese, Arab and European traders plied the Straits of Malacca in a booming trade of Persian textiles, East Indian spices and Chinese silk and porcelain.
Morning drive continuing north to the capital ("K.L.") where that evening you enjoy a Malaysian show with dinner sampling foods such as satay (chicken, beef or mutton kebabs, barbecued over charcoal and served with peanut sauce and ketupat, or rice cakes), udang sambal tomato (prawns in spices and tomato), ayam panggang (marinated barbecued chicken) and laksa johor (noodles in fish gravy with vegetables) -- all mouthwatering Malay dishes -- to say nothing of the excellent Chinese, Thai, Indian and other cuisines which make K.L., like Singapore, a mecca for food lovers worldwide.
First a tin mining shanty town in the 1860s, K.L. today is a big, dynamic capital where sleek highrises intermingle with traditional Moorish- and Colonial-style buildings while still maintaining a relaxing, bucolic feel in the city center through the enclaves of greenery sprouting in parks and woodlands meandering through the city. Morning tour of major civic buildings, old Chinatown, the handsome National Mosque with its serene pools and fountains, the beautiful Lake Gardens (the "Green Belt") and National Museum. Afternoon tour of the immense Batu Caves and their spectacular Hindu shrines and visit the tin mines..
Short (2-hour) flight to Thailand's capital, a city congested with modern cars and ancient art -- dazzling golden statues, temples and palaces in what is at the end of the 20th century (and excepting the Sultanate of Brunei) the only remaining hereditary kingdom in Southeast Asia. A remarkable testament to the staying power of the Chakri Dynasty, founded (1782) just 6 years after America's Declaration of Independence. (Nineteen Ninety-Six is the "Golden Anniversary" of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, longest reigning of the dynasty.) In the evening you enjoy a Thai banquet and cultural show.
Full day's excursion back into the past to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital for over 400 years (1350-1767) and fabled archaeological site, which you combine with cruising on the Chao Phraya river. Along the way visit the Royal Summer Palace and gardens at Bang Pa-in, a fascinating melange of eastern and western styles; even more impressive are the ruins at Ayutthaya, the remnants of huge temples and chedis (the wondrous cone-shaped monuments built by kings) left behind after the city's sacking by the Burmese in the 18th century.
Morning tour of Grand Palace, former residence of King Mongkut (also known as Rama IV, l85l-1868) the historical model for Broadway's and Hollywood's versions of "The King and I." which made the late Yul Brynner a household name for Americans of the 1950s. A variety of architectural styles from Victorian to Thai enhance the visual sumptuousness of the palace, from the ornate double gates to the climax of the tremendous Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the king's personal place of worship and the country's single most sacred object. Afternoon tour features the renowned Marble, Reclining Buddha and Golden Buddha temples.
Morning flight of one hour due north to Chiang Mai, the charming old moated and walled city surrounded by green hills which functions as a carefully preserved northern outpost of traditional Siamese culture and, in particular, as a major center for exquisite old handicrafts skills (silverwork, lacquerware, silk and cotton weaving, even temple bell foundries). Two days there includes visiting a Meo hill tribe handicraft village and a mountaintop temple (Wat Doi Suthep) and special Kanthoke dinner of northern Thai cuisine with a cultural show. Days 3-4: a combined bus and 5-hour riverboat journey to Chiang Rai and region of Akha and Yao hill tribes, where you can cruise the Mekong and view the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Burma intersect.
Morning flight to Hong Kong, a fitting final destination on your journey of Oriental Discovery. Rest of day free to relax or explore on your own -- the ride on the venerable Star Ferry across the busiest harbor in the world is as exciting as any theme park ride, and the minimal cost makes it one of the great bargains in world travel, even if lasting under 10 minutes.
City tour begins with tram ride up Victoria Peak where on August 18 1945 a ragtag bunch of British internees unfurled the Union Jack kept hidden for 3 years and 8 months of Japanese occupation and reclaimed Hong Kong for King and Country -- at one stroke defying their captors and denying the advancing Chinese forces, thereby preserving Hong Kong under the crown and enabling its remarkable development this past half-century. You visit Repulse Bay, Stanley Market and Aberdeen. Next day is free for shopping or sojourn in Macao, the tiny Portuguese enclave set up in 1557. Nineteen ninety-nine, 442 years later, marks the reversion to Beijing of this last, oldest outpost of Europe in Asia.
Depart from Hong Kong, arriving on same day due to crossing International Date Line.
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