South Pacific Sojourn

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Often called the “City of Angels,” Bangkok is Thailand's largest and most populous city. A sprawling and heady mix of modern skyscrapers, floating markets and longtail boats skimming the Chao Phraya River, the scintillating capital of old Siam engages all the senses. Yet it all seems devoutly grounded by the presence of its revered gilded wats, or temples. Wat Arun, in particular, can be seen from all corners of the city. This majestic riverside “Temple of Dawn” catches the first light of each day like a pearl, casting a soft glow on one of Asia's most remarkable cities.

Historic Siam of old, Bangkok is beautifully set on the Chao Phraya River. Thai culture is rich and engaging in this bustling center, and its origins are reflected through centuries-old Buddhist wats, or temples. The towering Wat Arun, named for the god of the rising sun, stands dramatically on the river's banks. The revered temples and elegant buildings within the walls of the renowned Grand Palace date to the late 1700s. A gilded array of golden pagodas and stupas (shrines), it has been the royal family's residence for more than 150 years.

Koh Samui is Thailand's second-largest island after Phuket and a paradise of swaying palms and scenic beaches. Sun-loving beachcombers from Thailand and beyond come to the island to wade, swim and lounge in the lapping tides. Until the early 1970s, this self-sufficient community had no roadways; crossing the island required a full-day trek across nine miles of mountainous jungle. Today, Koh Samui retains the slower pace of simpler times. The cherished traditions of old Siamese fishing villages, too, are preserved as tiny boats gently bob on turquoise waters.

The Gulf of Thailand, the massive sea basin bordered by Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia, is still known as the Gulf of Siam to the Malay and Khmer people. Long stretches of sandy beach, low-lying emerald hills and soaring mountains surround this oval-shaped gulf. The lush hills of Botum Sakor National Park unfold north of Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Along Thailand's shores, several beach-ringed islands point the way to Laem Chabang port.

This narrow passage between Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra was a major route for early traders shipping glassware, precious stones, camphor, ivory and sandalwood. Today, it is one of the busiest shipping channels in the world, linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Along this historic waterway, the lush shores of Sumatra grace the horizon to the south, stretching out to lowlands, mangroves and swamps. The more urban skylines of Malaysia—George Town and Kuala Lumpur among them—shimmer in the distance to the north.

The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur was built by Chinese tin prospectors in the mid-1800s. Since then, the city of KL, as the locals call it, has grown into a stunning mix of colonial, Moorish, Tudor, neo-Gothic and Grecian-Spanish architecture. The two-story shophouses of Old Market Square, with storefronts below and residences above, reveal the lives of merchants. The magnificent Petronas Towers are the centerpiece of this fascinating city; the side-by-side twin spires resemble a pair of rockets, connected by a two-story sky bridge that spans the 41st and 42nd floors.

Singapore is the world's only island city-state. Established in 1819 for the East India Company by Sir Stamford Raffles, after whom the famed hotel is named, it grew from a secluded backwater into a shabby port city before transforming itself into a sophisticated metropolis. The technology and economy are highly advanced here, yet the islands host plentiful green parks with tree-lined footpaths and the stunning National Orchid Garden. For a panoramic view of it all, the observation deck of the Marina Bay Sands towers offers the perfect solution.

Singapore transformed from a sparse island to the economic giant of Southeast Asia. Malays, Indonesians, Indians, Sri Lankans and Chinese have all contributed to the city's rise as one of the world's most technologically advanced cities. Buddhist, Hindu and Taoist temples rub elbows with Muslim mosques and Christian churches, alongside street signs in English, Chinese, Tamil and Malay. Singaporean cuisine, too, has been shaped by the many cultures that have converged here; there is no better place to sample local fares than at one of the city's many open air food courts.

Sail one of the world's most successful commercial trade routes in history. The countless crates of spices carried over the Java Sea reportedly contributed to the famed Dutch Golden Age.

Java is Indonesia's repository of history and island culture. The bustling port of Semarang was founded by the Dutch and hints of the island's colonial past dot the cityscape. Outside the city, Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world, strikes a dramatic pose against a backdrop of four volcanoes. A popular place of pilgrimage and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the massive pyramidal temple towers to a great height. The devout walk up a clockwise path to the pinnacle, passing 2,672 reliefs and 504 Buddha statues along the way.

Surabaya played a central role in the Indonesian War of Independence. The memorials to that struggle stand as soaring testaments to the will and courage of the Javanese. Today, Surabaya is a diverse patchwork of vibrant cultures. Mosques stand proudly in the Arab district and elegant churches adorn the European quarter. But perhaps the most authentic way to fully experience Java's varied cultural influences is by tasting them. A stroll through the Pasar Pabean traditional market reveals fresh fish, vegetables, spices, incense and countless other specialties.

With a thriving arts scene, lush beauty and magnificent seaside vistas, Bali has long beckoned travelers in search of ultimate beauty. The island's rich Hindu culture has forever held that gods live in all things natural—from mountains to streams to pebbles on the beach—lending the island a peaceful air. Denpasar is the island's thriving capital. Founded as a market town, it still bustles with colorful stalls and vast emporiums selling bright sarongs and intricately patterned batik.

With its distinct flavors and traditions, Bali's food culture stands apart from that of the rest of Indonesia. Indigenous ingredients, recipes and techniques blend with influences from the island's Chinese and Indian heritages to create dishes found nowhere else. For many, a daily ritual may involve shopping for ginger, turmeric and kaffir lime in spice markets or for fruits, vegetables and meats in a pasar pagi. Traditional warungs, tiny family-owned food stands, often specialize in a particular dish, such as babi guling (suckling pig) or bebek betutu (crispy duck).

Lombok exudes a relaxed atmosphere in a tropical setting. Wood carvers, potters and other artisans keep artistic traditions alive, finding endless inspiration in the lush forests, the soothing sands and the soaring peak of Mt. Rinjani, the nation's second-tallest volcano. The crafts of the island are steeped in the artistry of the indigenous Sasak people. The island is also home to pearl divers who pluck these treasures from the sea and offer them for sale. On the western shore, Senggigi is home to the island's best beach, stretching several miles along a lush, green coast.

Komodo National Park spans 670 sq miles, encompassing 26 small isles and the three larger islands of Padar, Komodo and Rinca. Lesser known than neighboring Komodo Island, Rinca is an ideal location to see the world-famous Komodo dragon. The largest lizard in the world, these breathtaking creatures can grow up to ten feet long and typically weigh about 150 pounds. Wild pigs and water buffalos also inhabit Rinca, as well as saltwater crocodiles. A visit to the mangrove forests of Loh Buaya Park provides visitors with the opportunity to view these reptiles up close.

Follow in the footsteps of Indonesia's indigenous people and sail the Timor Sea. This stretch of water shares its name with the independent state of East Timor, which lies to its north.

Darwin is the cultural hub of the continent's northernmost region. The laid-back city got its name after the HMS Beagle sailed into the harbor during a surveying expedition in 1839. The famed naturalist Charles Darwin was so esteemed that its captain named this newest discovery for him. Today, it is the largest city in the thinly populated Northern Territory state. It boasts a rich and lively arts and culture scene, much of it centered on the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Its collection of art and artifacts reflects the region and its indigenous people.

Darwin may be far removed from Australia's other provincial capitals, but it is proudly cosmopolitan. Its varied museums highlight the rich history and abundant marine life. The Royal Flying Doctor Service museum chronicles the organization's part in World War II and illuminates its current role in the bush. On the waterfront, the Indo-Pacific Marine Exhibition recreates various underwater ecosystems, each one self-sustaining with no feeding or filtration, providing unique insight into fascinating aquatic worlds.

Trace the route of early civilizations as you sail the Arafura Sea. During the Ice Age, entire populations were once able to walk between continents, exchanging languages and customs.

Thursday Island was once home to a thriving pearl fishing industry. From the late 19th century, divers came from Japan, Malaysia and India to harvest these precious stones. The diving has declined, but traces of Asia's diverse influences remain. The island's Green Hill Fort was built during the 1890s with growing concerns of a potential Russian invasion. The fort was shut down just 30 years later and reactivated during World War II as a wireless station. Many islanders, still to this day, abide by a no-footwear policy out of respect for the spirits of their ancestors.

Traverse the mineral-rich waters of the Coral Sea, where the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef welcomes divers to explore its spectacular marine life.

Queensland's seaside resort town, Cairns is the gateway to a rich array of natural beauty onshore and off. Catamarans take marine lovers to the Great Barrier Reef; stretching for 1,400 miles, it is the largest continuous coral reef system on Earth. Inland, the wet tropics have given rise to Daintree and Kuranda National Parks, vast rainforest systems of extraordinary biodiversity and a profusion of birdlife. For all its appeal to outdoor enthusiasts, Cairns' thriving culture is a pleasure to absorb from the outdoor cafés or along the scenic waterfront promenade.

Townsville is the unofficial capital of North Queensland and a favorite cultural center. The city's location on the banks of the Ross River and along the shores of Cleveland Bay hints at the local love of outdoor life. Riverway, a path-lined green park that traces the Ross, leads walkers and joggers past scenic views and the city's original wharves and ports. Nearby, The Strand, a tranquil walkway, follows the long tropical beach. And no matter which corner of Townsville you are exploring, the red sandstone monolith of Castle Hill is always in view.

The Whitsunday archipelago emerges from the Coral Sea amid the Great Barrier Reef. The seafaring Ngaro people called this paradise home until 1870 and hunted these waters in bark canoes. Nature's brushstrokes are astonishing here: pure-white sands meet cerulean waters, swirling together at sandbars to merge into a palette of turquoise, cream and emerald-green hills. Glassy, invigorating and impossibly blue, the waters provide the ideal oasis for relaxing and idling away a few hours on the beach.

Trace the scenic Australian coastline, indigenous people inhabited the continent for 60,000 years prior to European discovery.

The capital of Queensland, Brisbane is situated on its namesake river and spreads over picturesque hills rising from Moreton Bay. One of the oldest cities in Australia, its first European settlers were the secondary offenders from the Sydney penal colony. In addition to its riverside skyscrapers, the city is host to some decidedly less dramatic architecture: the quaint Queenslander homes characterized by their terraces and raised living spaces. Art galleries, museums and beloved musical venues also make the city one of Australia's most vibrant and active cultural centers.

Follow the route of English explorer James Cook, who famously laid eyes on Australia's “Sunshine Coast” from the deck of the HMS Endeavour.

Newcastle boasts some of the most picturesque coastal vistas in Australia. The city was built on coal export and remains a major exporter. But locals care more about soaking up the spectacular outdoors. High cliffs, well-kept green parks and long stretches of beach grace these shores. And the people of Newcastle know how to keep connected to their breathtaking surroundings: They have built ocean baths along the shore that collect sea water during high tide. Nearby, in one of the country's first wine regions, the vintners of Hunter Valley bottle some of the coast's favorites.

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.