PORT GAZETTEER
MONTEVIDEO Uruguay Within a few yards of Montevideo’s port, there is a bustling market (Puerto del Mercado) where you can buy local artists’ paintings and all kinds of eclectic bric-a-brac. The city centre around Plaza Independencia and the old town that leads off it are rich in historic buildings and monuments interspersed with attractive gardens and more grand squares, but Montevideo also boasts some of the country’s best beaches.
MUMBAI India In Mumbai, gain an insight into the area with a drive past the famous Towers of Silence, along the broad seafront of Marine Drive or climb to the top of Malabar Hill to visit the terraced Hanging Gardens, which overlook the Arabian Sea – from here you can enjoy views of the city from the well laid out terraces. Enjoy a visit to the Prince of Wales Museum, or Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum home to one of India’s fi nest collections of art, archaeology and natural history, or visit Mani Bhavan, once the home of Mahatma Gandhi and the iconic Gateway of India.
MUSCAT Oman The Sultanate of Oman’s capital, Muscat, has a magical feel. It’s a combination of stunning deserts, mountains and beaches with all the comforts of a bustling, modern metropolis. It’s also the meeting point of Asian, African and Arabic civilisations and this unique blend of cultures makes Oman a special place to visit and explore. The old port area is where you’ll fi nd the Sultan’s Main Palace, a fascinating place to wander around. Two well-preserved 16th century Portuguese forts, Al Jalali and Mirani, guard the entrance to Muscat, and the city walls contain the original beautifully carved gates.
NAGASAKI Japan The atmosphere of Nagasaki is richly cosmopolitan and the scenery quite enchanting. Standing over the Nakashima River is Japan’s fi rst Chinese-style stone bridge, the Spectacle Bridge, which refl ects ovals onto the surface of the water. It is said that bridges here were only built on roads that led to temples, ornate structures that still adorn many of the streets. Etched in the memory of Nagasaki is the 1945 atomic bomb that destroyed much of the city. Today it still lingers in poignant reminders, such as Peace Park.
Muscat
NAPIER New Zealand In 1931 Napier was dramatically changed by an earthquake. The waterlocked city suddenly grew in size and the rebuilding programme resulted in the wonderful Art Deco style buildings here today. Soft pastels, zigzags, geometric shapes and rising suns – a walk around the town takes you on a journey through the aesthetics of this era. Nearby, nature has been kind to Hawke’s Bay, putting the region at the forefront of New Zealand’s wine industry.
NHA TRANG Vietnam Set against a backdrop of lushly-forested mountains, with a beautiful waterfront and wide, golden beaches, the Vietnamese seaside resort of Nha Trang is now well on its way to becoming a sophisticated modern town – you’ll still fi nd plenty of old fashioned charm though. The region surrounding Nha Trang is rich in history; discover the fascinating story of the Chams, an ancient Hindu/Moslem ethnic minority who run their society along matriarchal lines, or visit one of their most important sacred sites – the Towers of Po Nagar, which date from the 7th century.
NOUMEA New Caledonia Noumea stands on seven hills, but although it is on a small island deep in the South Pacifi c, you will feel as if you have somehow landed in the middle of the French Riviera. The chic bistros, smart boutiques and swish casino give the place a distinct look of the Cote d’Azur. There is an excellent aquarium as well as a colourful botanical garden, but if you want to see marine life in the raw, there are plenty of Reef tours where you can view 350 types of coral and 1,500 species of fi sh.
OSAKA Japan Before World War II Osaka was an exotic maze of crisscrossing waterways. Unfortunately, most of the canals and nearly all of the traditional wooden buildings were destroyed in the bombings. Today however, the city has leapt into the architectural future with such buildings as the Imperial Hotel, the inverted U-shape of the Umeda Sky Building and the enormous Ferris wheel on top of the HEP Five complex. But just a short distance away, you’ll see the gentle side of Japan. Kyoto, the former capital, is a serene city of geometric gardens, geisha houses, cherry trees, temples and palaces. Witness the ritual of the tea ceremony or savour a teriyaki lunch in the loveliest of Japanese cities.
PAGO PAGO American Samoa The South Pacifi c’s Pago Pago (pronounced Pango Pango) is both the name of the harbour which cuts fjord-like into American Samoa’s main island of Tutuila, and also for the village at its western end. The island is blessed with many natural wonders such as the Lela Lava Flow and the Cliffs of Vaitogi. You can visit Leone, where the fi rst missionary landing took place in 1830. A visit to the island wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the ‘Flowerpot Rock’ one of the most photographed landmarks on the island.
PAPEETE Tahiti The gorgeous South Pacifi c island of Tahiti has its share of beautiful coves, black sand, and lush, unspoilt mountainous landscapes full of cascading waterfalls and dramatic coastal blowholes. Yet it also has a harbour fi lled with private yachts and streets full of chic boutiques, designer label stores and pulsating bars. If you can tear yourself away from the shoreline then a visit to the Paul Gauguin museum (and botanical garden) in Port Phaeton is always popular.
PARINTINS Brazil At the centre of millions of miles of rainforest, halfway between Santarém and Manaus, on the right bank of the Amazon River, is the small town of Parintins. The locals say the key to the success of their city is the hospitality they offer and their simplistic way of life. Their lifestyle is fascinating and their incredible handicrafts make for truly unique souvenirs. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Carmo and the Village Amazônia are worth a look.
PERTH (from Fremantle) Australia The Western Australia capital of Perth has a distinctly relaxed and welcoming atmosphere with large areas of parkland leading down to Swan River. Perth is a modern city centre with many pedestrian-only shopping streets. Perth Zoo, home to much local wildlife, is worth a visit as is Kings Park. Alternatively, Fremantle has many remnants from its old convict days to explore such as Fremantle prison and the Roundhouse. You can also take a leisurely ferry trip down the Swan River between Fremantle and Perth or opt for a tasting tour of the Swan Valley wineries.
Perth
PHU MY (for Ho Chi Minh City) Vietnam In amidst the swarming streets and markets of Ho Chi Minh City, stand numerous landmarks bound in history and tradition: from museums that tell the stories of war to ornamental pagodas that are fi lled with characters from Buddhist and Taoist religions. From Phu My you can discover the fascinating tunnel network at Cu Chi, used by the Viet Cong during the war. At their height they stretched from the South Vietnamese capital to the Cambodian border.
PONTA DELGADA Azores A strong Portuguese infl uence pervades in Ponta Delgada from the stylish colonial architecture to the food and wine served in its restaurants. Ponta Delgada is probably the most spectacularly beautiful of the nine Azore islands. It certainly has the most dramatic attraction: Sete citadades. This is a 15 square mile extinct volcanic crater in which two separate lakes have formed – one deep blue, the other emerald green.
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