Indian Ocean Exploration – Singapore to Lisbon

Straegically located at the end of the Malaysian peninsula, the island nation of Singapore is a modern,

thriving metropolis and a true melting pot of cultures. Singapore offers diverse colorful ethnic quarters; a fantastic array of superb cuisines; and a shopping mecca second to none. In many ways Singapore (the name means Lion City) was built by Sir Stamford Raffles. Coming ashore to a tiny fishing village in 1819, through trade treaties and business acumen, he laid the foundation for one of the most amazing urban success stories in history. Today, travelers can embrace exotic sights and sounds as they stroll or ride a trishaw through Chinatown, the Arab Quarter or Little India. Head down to the scenic Boat Quay for unrivaled views of the harbor and stop at one of the many international eateries for a refreshing repast. Shop along famous Orchard Road with its merchandise from every corner of the Pacific Rim; embark on a night safari at the Singapore Zoo or relax in the verdant shade of the Bukit Timah Nature Preserve. Be sure to leave time to try a refreshing Singapore Sling at the bar at Raffles Hotel.

Spend the day discovering this cosmopolitan city and its many cultural levels, from the soaring Petronas Towers to a Royal Palace, Gothic churches, stolid Colonial remnants and a restored Malay timber house, once the residence of a local headman in a lovely Heritage Center. Browse in the markets and shops. Shop for crafts, excellent pewter, jewelry, batik. The fusion of cultures here offers a variety of menus from Malay and Chinese to continental cuisines. Try a curry or spicy broiled duck, a satay or broiled fish.

Explore the relaxed charm of Langkawi with its farms, fishing villages and peaceful rice paddies. Langkawi boasts colorful myths and legends, dramatic mountains, and vast, pristine beaches. Begin with a visit to Eagle Square. Then soar to the height of eagles on the Langkawi cable car and admire the amazing views at Kereta Kabel. Look for beautifully handcrafted plates made from cinnamon trees. Discover the impact of rice agriculture in Malaysia with a visit to the Laman Padi Langkawi. Try seafood sizzlers made with coconut and chile paste or tea and chocolate treats in this romantic paradise.

With a land area of 215 square miles, Phuket Island is about the same size as Singapore, making it Thailand’s largest island. Known as the “Pearl of Thailand,” this beautiful retreat offers pristine beaches, lush vegetation, traditional villages, and seascapes of huge limestone pillars that tower over the turquoise waters of Phang-Nga Bay. Apart from tourism, much of the province’s wealth derives from tin production, which started back in the 16th century.

Galle is a city on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It’s known for Galle Fort, the fortified old city founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. Stone sea walls, expanded by the Dutch, encircle car-free streets with architecture reflecting Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. Notable buildings include the 18th-century Dutch Reformed Church. Galle Lighthouse stands on the fort’s southeast tip.

Capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kandy, Colombo has been visited for over 2,000 years by Roman, Chinese, Arab and European traders. Explore this exotic city and view colorful colonial buildings including the Presidential Secretariat, the Grand Oriental Hotel, and the Lighthouse Clock Tower. A “must” to visit is Pettah, Colombo’s leading bazaar district. The narrow cobbled streets are lined with shops and street stalls offering the most unimaginable range of goods. Other noteworthy sights include Viharamahadevi Park, the city’s largest and oldest green expanse; and the palatial mansions of Cinnamon Gardens.

Popularly referred to as the ’Queen of the Arabian Sea,’ Cochin (Khochi) has been a trading post since early Roman times, due to its strategic location between Europe and China. From the court of Kubla Khan to the captains of Europe’s great Age of Exploration, travelers and merchants from far-off lands have been coming here since ancient times in search of spices, sandalwood and ivory. Explore St. Francis’ Church, the oldest existing European church in India. View one of the oldest synagogues in the world – a jewel of incomparable beauty with its brass columns, Belgian hanging lamps, and exquisite hand-painted, blue-and-white Chinese porcelain tiles.

A major port on the Arabian Sea located in Southern India, Mangalore derives its name from a goddess. The city has a rich historical past, part of it even dating back to major epics that are the bedrock of the Hindu mythological pantheon. Mangalore has 11th century temples, scintillating beaches dotted with coconut palm trees, museums and lighthouses. Red-roofed houses against the lush greenery provide a much-needed escape from the ordinary.

Scenic, tropical, and often called the Pearl of the Orient, Mormugao, India’s largest, natural harbor offers unexpected cultural contrasts in this former Portuguese ruled seaport area. Hire a taxi to transport you to Vasco City, named after founder, Vasco da Gama who fortified the area in 1543. You’ll discover the largest Roman Catholic Cathedral in all of Asia, along with an area more reminiscent of Portugal than India. Delightful colonial architecture, complete with overhanging balconies, narrow winding cobblestone streets, small shops and eateries beckon. Shop for colorful azulejos, painted tin-glazed ceramic tiles typically used in Portuguese architecture. Take a stroll on one of the area’s magnificent beaches, and dine on some of the finest seafood in all of India.

Malé, the capital of the Republic of Maldives, is located at the southern edge of North Male’ Atoll Kaafu Atoll. Traditionally, Malé was the “King’s Island,” from where the ancient Maldive Royal families had their palace and ruled the country. Malé is dotted with mosques, wide streets, parks and markets. Tour the national Museum, the colorful Fish Market and the Friday mosque with its splendid golden dome.

Praslin is the second largest island of the Seychelles, lying north east of Mahé. Originally known as a hideaway by pirates and Arab merchants, Lazare Picault named the island “Isle de Palmes” in 1744. In 1768 it was renamed Praslin in honor of Cesar Gabriel de Choiseul, duc de Praslin, a French diplomat. Tropical forests and nature preserves abound, housing the unique coco de mer and vanilla orchids.

Mahé, the largest island of the Seychelles, was named for Mahé de Labourdonnais, a governor of Mauritius. It is the location of Port Victoria, the capital city. Ringed by steep and magnificent mountains, few capitals can claim a more beautiful backdrop. The nearby reefs and pristine marine national parks are a snorkeler’s paradise

Mahé, the largest island of the Seychelles, was named for Mahé de Labourdonnais, a governor of Mauritius. It is the location of Port Victoria, the capital city. Ringed by steep and magnificent mountains, few capitals can claim a more beautiful backdrop. The nearby reefs and pristine marine national parks are a snorkeler’s paradise

Discover exotic Nosy Be with its rich air fragrant from native spices and flowers and, neighboring Nosy Komba with its lemur population found only in this part of the world. Beginwith a stroll around the city center of Hellville in Nosy Be, visiting the open marketplace. Then hire a driver to take you on an island tour to see the bright blue volcanic lakes, or hire a boat to take you to Nosy Komba to visit the lemurs. Back in Nosy Be, shop for locally made perfume, distilled rum, finelinens and hand carved wooden art. Enjoy some of the fresh local seafood prepared with the local spices in this colorful and aromatic destination.

Mayotte is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the coast of Mozambique. It’s a department and region of France, though traditional Mayotte culture is most closely related to that of the neighboring Comoros islands. The Mayotte archipelago is surrounded by a coral barrier reef, which shelters a lagoon and marine reserve that are popular diving destinations

Discover the relaxed charm of Maputo with its wide, European style boulevards, lush with jacaranda, bougainvillea and other tropical foliage, where old colonial palaces are mixed in with modern high-rise buildings. Visit The Cathedral built in 1944 in the shape of a cross, then the lively Mercado Central. Enjoy a snack of freshly roasted cashews and a cold bottled drink. Stop by the National Museum of Art then stroll along the Avenida Julius Nyerere, browsing the boutiques, vendors, and restaurants. Look for African waxprint and woven fabrics, beautiful wooden boxes and picture frames. Seek out the surreal Pancho Guedes buildings, reminiscent of Gaudi. Visit the Praça de Trabalhadores designed by Gustave Eiffel in the late 19th century. Sip coffee in one of the many outdoor cafés as you watch the world go by in this vibrant seaside capital.

Richards Bay is one of South Africa’s largest harbors, and is the tourist’s gateway to Zululand, once the mightiest of the sub-Saharan African Kingdoms. Richards Bay began its life as a makeshift harbor, set up by Sir Fredererick Richards, after whom it is named, during the Anglo-Boer War of 1880-81. Richards Bay has some of the most spectacular wetland scenery and pristine beaches on the north coast of KwaZulu Natal. Join us as we explore the land of King Shaka, or embark on an unforgettable safari to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve.

Richards Bay is one of South Africa’s largest harbors, and is the tourist’s gateway to Zululand, once the mightiest of the sub-Saharan African Kingdoms. Richards Bay began its life as a makeshift harbor, set up by Sir Fredererick Richards, after whom it is named, during the Anglo-Boer War of 1880-81. Richards Bay has some of the most spectacular wetland scenery and pristine beaches on the north coast of KwaZulu Natal. Join us as we explore the land of King Shaka, or embark on an unforgettable safari to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve.

A bustling, subtropical city and Africa’s busiest port, Vasco da Gama is said to have sighted Durban Bay on Christmas Day, 1497, naming the land Natal as a mark of respect for the Nativity. The name Durban was acquired in 1843 when Port Natal was renamed for Sir Benjamin D’Urban. Today , Durban delights the traveler with its colorful mosaic of ethnic neighborhoods and memorable excursions to game reserves and the traditional lifestyle of the Zulu people. Explore Old Market Square, the Golden Mile beachfront and the scented Botanic Gardens and Gray Street Mosque, the largest in the southern hemisphere.

Situated halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay offers more than 37 miles of beaches and at least 300 days of sunshine a year. Known as the location where the first Europeans made landfall on South African soil in 1488, today’s Mossel Bay is one of the country’s most popular beach destinations, as well as a haven for outdoor adventurers.

Called ‘the fairest cape in the whole circumference of the earth’ and regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town offers museums, lush parks and shops. Impressive mountains, magnificent beaches and outstanding wineries add to the attraction. Ride a cable-car to the top of famous flat-topped Table Mountain and gaze at the mosaic of towering mountains, verdant valleys and the confluence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The historical highlight is Robben Island, once the prison holding such outstanding anti-apartheid leaders as Nelson Mandela.

Called ‘the fairest cape in the whole circumference of the earth’ and regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town offers museums, lush parks and shops. Impressive mountains, magnificent beaches and outstanding wineries add to the attraction. Ride a cable-car to the top of famous flat-topped Table Mountain and gaze at the mosaic of towering mountains, verdant valleys and the confluence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The historical highlight is Robben Island, once the prison holding such outstanding anti-apartheid leaders as Nelson Mandela.