Far Eastern Jewels

ITINERARY

Mr David G Coates of Wrexham - July/August 2012

A 21-day tour of Singapore, Cambodia, China, Thailand and Malaysia that explored the culture of 5 jewels of the Far East. The first jewel was Singapore where the tour began with dinner at the Clarke Quay before a tour of the city by night. 10 days were spent at the second jewel Vietnam, touring around Phnom Penh with visits to the Khmer Rouge sites of Choeng Ek and Tuol Sleng and contrasting visits to the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. Saigon showed a lighter side of this historic culture that included a Water Puppetry Show. Other highlights were the Thien Hau pagoda, Notre Dame Cathedral, the former Presidential Palace, War Museum, Chinatown and the Ben Thanh Market. Hanoi again offered something different such as the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam and the impressive Ethnologic Museum, the History Museum and the beautiful West Lake. A trip to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem and the Ngoc Son Temple was followed by a leisurely 5-day cruise to Halong Bay. The 3rd jewel was Hong Kong and mainland China. An evening Bay Cruise and Firework Show was enjoyed in Hong Kong before departing by rail to the wonderful city of Xi’an and a visit to the famous Terracotta Warriors. Thailand next and a trek around Chiang Mai in the North, exploring the local Longneck Hill Tribe and taking an Elephant Safari before travelling South to Bangkok. An escorted tour to Ayutthaya included a visit to Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, one of the most beautiful Summer Palaces in Thailand and was followed by a visit to Wat Yai Chaimongkhol to see the biggest, reclining Buddha and the ruins of the old Royal Grand Palace & Temples. A tour to the Bridge over the River Kwai included a visit to the war museum and a chance to ride the locally known “Death” train, and a longboat to the bridge. A welcome beach break at Phi Phi Island followed, before continuing to Kuala Lumpur by train and the 5th and final Jewel of this tour, Malaysia. A visit to the Batu Caves was a must before a return to Singapore. Extra tours here included the Haw Par Villa, Singapore's Chinese mythology theme park, and visits to Kranji Dam, Kranji War Memorial, Bright Hill Temple and Changi. The return to the UK was by schedule airline.