Ports of Call continued
COCHIN, INDIA Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
Let the ‘Gateway to Kerala’ thrill you with a clutch of Portuguese forts and churches, and its emblematic Chinese fishing nets strung along the shore. Then cruise Kerala’s famed backwaters, a network of rivers, canals, lakes and lagoons, which take you past luminous paddies, palms and foliage weighed down by mango and papaya.
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA Queen Elizabeth
Contemplate colonial-era buildings in the Fort District or the colourful assortment of Buddhist and Hindu temples. Stroll along the seafront Galle Face Green, peer at the exhibits in the Colombo National Museum and National Art Gallery or explore the narrow cobbled streets of the Pettah bazaar district for a truly authentic slice of Sri Lankan life.
DARWIN, AUSTRALIA Queen Mary 2
On the remote northern shores of Australia’s ‘Top End’, balmy Darwin has grown from frontier settlement into a multicultural modern city. Discover the region’s dramatic history – from Aboriginal heritage to World War II air raids and the devastating Cyclone Tracey – in the museums and galleries. Explore historic Fannie Bay Gaol, the exotic George Brown Botanic Gardens or go on a crocodile cruise.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Queen Elizabeth,Queen Mary 2O
Gaze upon astounding extravagance at man-made resorts whose islets resemble palm trees and a world map, as well as the billowing Burj Al Arab Hotel. Delve too into a culture that has long drawn globe-trotting visitors: the Jumeira Mosque, glittering Gold Souq, or a Heritage Village showcasing ancient Bedouin craftsmanship.
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA Queen Mary 2
Head to the sandy ‘Golden Mile’ and its vibrant promenade, buzzing with brightly painted rickshaws and brimming with hand-woven baskets and intricate beadwork. Away from the coast set eyes upon the Zulu kingdom, the majestic Valley of a Thousand Hills or the Garden Route, draped in lush foliage and dotted with quaint villages.
ENSENADA,MEXICO Queen Victoria
Keep your eyes peeled here on the Baja Peninsula. You may spy those tell-tale spouts of grey whales seeking out the calm bays close to the shore. You’ll certainly see the spray at La Bufadora, the spectacular sea geyser that blows salt water up to 70 feet in the air every few minutes. You could even browse a centuries-old gallery, the primitive cave paintings at Catavina.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria
Embark on a Sunshine State shopping spree at the fashionable spots of Las Olas Boulevard and Cortez Street. Or swap city sidewalks for the ‘Sea of Grass’ that defines the wetlands of the Everglades National Park. As you marvel at this vast expanse, keep a keen eye out for the shy resident alligators.
FREMANTLE (FOR PERTH), AUSTRALIA 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.
FUNCHAL,MADEIRA Queen Mary 2, Queen VictoriaO
You’ll consider Madeira’s reputation as the ‘Garden Island’ well founded, swathed in lush greenery which bears all manner of tropical fruits. For a thrilling overview, ascend by cable car to Monte, from whose delightful palace and gardens you can survey the orange rooftops below. The best way down again is by wicker toboggan, expertly steered by two gondoliers dressed in whites.
GIBRALTAR Queen Victoria
Discover an intriguing home from home on the Iberian Peninsula. Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the diverse birdlife, Barbary apes and dolphin rich straits. History buffs may seek out the Moorish castle or Trafalgar Cemetery. And those with a taste for the spectacular can savour the magnificent stalactites and stalagmites of St Michael’s Cave or spellbinding views across to Morocco.
GRANDCAYMAN,CAYMAN ISLANDS Queen Elizabeth
Former buccaneer hideaway and largest of the three beautiful Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman is a magnet for the super-rich and scuba diving devotees. Alternatively, dive into the duty-free stores in George Town, feed the graceful inhabitants of Stingray City, take a trip to Hell or bask on one of the flawless white beaches.
HAMILTON, BERMUDA Queen Victoria
Bermuda may sound like one island, but it is actually a sprinkling of more than 130 arranged in a scenic archipelago, the largest linked by bridges. Famed for soft pink sands and superb diving among reefs and wrecks, the natural draws include the staggering Crystal Caves, where wispy stalactites hang above a turquoise lake, and the Botanical Gardens scented by hibiscus and frangipani.
HILO,HAWAII Queen Victoria
The Big Island is also known as the Volcano Island, as the 14,000-feet peaks of Mauna Lou and Mauna Kea create a backdrop of uncompromising beauty. Another nickname, the Orchid Isle, hints at the abundant flora within its rich rainforests, while macadamia nut plantations add their mark to the patchwork landscapes. Amidst all this, Hilo greets you with a sedate friendliness and delightful clapboard buildings.
HIROSHIMA, JAPAN Queen Mary 2
Rising from the ashes of the world’s first atomic bomb attack, Hiroshima has become a thriving, modern city criss-crossed by rivers and tree-lined avenues. In Peace Memorial Park you can reflect on the devastating events of August 1945 at the Atomic Bomb Dome and the haunting Peace Memorial Museum, where you can leave a message for peace alongside thousands from around the world.
HOCHIMINHCITY (FROM PHUMY), VIETNAM Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2
Still fondly known as Saigon, the city is a thrilling, chaotic whirl played out against a French colonial backdrop, including its own Notre Dame Cathedral. Scooters buzz here, there and everywhere, raucous floating markets hawk fresh produce on the Mekong Delta and the aroma of tantalising Vietnamese dishes swirls on the breeze.
HONG KONG Queen ElizabethO
, Queen Mary 2O
Souvenir hunting is a sensory delight in this city of timeless traditions and age-old superstition. Pick out silk wares in the old fishing lanes of Stanley Market, scent the fragrant aromas at the Flower Market and hear the sweet song amidst Yuen Po Street Bird Garden. Just make sure you don’t return without feasting on speciality dim sum.
HONOLULU,OAHU,HAWAII Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria
Set off on an enchanting trail that reveals the secrets of Hawaii’s volcanic past – and its stunning beauty today. Stand in the extinct crater at Diamond Head, and witness the legacy of ancient forces that chiselled out Hanauma Bay and Halona Point Blowhole. Then survey all from on high, as the incredible Makapu’u Lookout puts the fertile interior on show.
HUATULCO,MEXICO Queen Victoria
Its full name translates as the Bays of Huatulco, and 36 inviting beaches are draped scenically along the nine lovely crescents here in the Mexican State of Oaxaca. This stretch of the Pacific shore is known for beautiful ribbons of white sand lapped by stunning azure waters – as well as the local pottery, particular to the region, made from striking black clay.
70 T h e m o s t f a m o u s o c e a n l i n e r s i n t h e w o r l d
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