cyrsullivan
May 11, 2025
4 min read
Updated: Oct 2, 2025
Our next destination was Southeast Asia, a region unfamiliar to us. With great expectations we boarded our Scoot Airline flight from Sydney to Singapore. Our three-week adventure unfolded as follows: we started with a one day stop in Singapore, next we set sail on the Oceania Regatta for a 16-day Gilded Eastern Kingdoms cruise along the eastern coast of Asia. Major stops included Bangkok, Saigon, Hong Kong, and Taipei, with several smaller stops along the way. We wrapped up our cruise in Taipei, where we spent four days exploring the city. Unsurprisingly, it appeared that everything is “Made in Taiwan”.
One of the plethora of Pagodas that peppered the streets of the very modern Singapore. Pockets of the past, hidden in the shadows of modern skyscrapers was quite a juxtaposition.
The daily Regatta News Flyer “Currents” provided information on daily goings-on and updates on the cruise progress. Here’s a pic of the final flyer’s front page that provides a compact outline of the 16-day cruise.
Our initial encounter with a Buddha was on the island of Ko Samui, Thailand. The temple, known as the Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai), was our introduction to what would become a cavalcade of Buddha statues of various ages and poses.
Built in 1782, the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, is an intricate royal palace complex covering fifty-three acres in the heart of Bangkok. It has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam, and later Thailand, since its construction. The palace offers a stunning visual experience for all visitors.
From Bangkok we travelled to Sihanoukville, Cambodia, a city still grappling with the aftermath of COVID. We were taken aback by the numerous abandoned high-rise buildings that dotted the skyline. With a substantial portion of the population living at or below the poverty line, an influx of Chinese investments offers hope for better living conditions. We explored several Buddha Temples that were all meticulously maintained by local volunteers.
Markets are one of the defining characteristic of Asia. In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, formerly known as Saigon, we explored one of the numerous markets we frequented during our South Asia tour. Everything imaginable was for sale, regardless of whether you could identify it or not. It was an overwhelming experience for all the senses.
During our time in Ho Chi Minh City, we had the unexpected pleasure of reconnecting with an old friend, Mike, and his wife Virginia from Ottawa, who are sailing around the world on their catamaran. It truly is a small world !!!
I Love Ho Chi Minh City !
In Cam Ranh, Vietnam, we explored an elaborate makers complex. This was a place where artists from various disciplines—musicians, dancers, painters, wicker weavers, guitar makers, and more—gather to showcase and sell their crafts. The expansive complex, consisting of numerous buildings, was embellished with art installations and adorned with plants and flowers from around the globe.
After arriving in Hong Kong, our initial destination was the 1881 Heritage open-air shopping centre. Housed in a renovated 19th-century police building, it features luxury designer boutiques and restaurants. It vividly showcased the opulence of the British historical presence in Hong Kong.
As we walked through the Hong Kong Botanical Gardens, we witnessed the conclusion of a Dragon Dance, which was probably part of the Chinese Language Day celebrations, a day dedicated to exploring its history and encouraging others to use Chinese in their professional or personal lives.
Asia is rich in traditions and legends. Initially, when developers submitted their plans for a condominium complex on the shores of Repulse Bay in Hong Kong, the plans were rejected. It was said that a dragon resided in the mountains behind the site and drank from the bay’s waters. The buildings would obstruct the dragon’s path. The solution was to create a hole in the complex for the dragon to fly through. It was interesting to witness how the Asian culture honours the past while embracing the future.
Similar to many cities in Asia, Taipei showcases a blend of the old and the new. Located in the bustling Wanhua District, the Lungshan Temple is situated near the bustling Huaxi Street Night Market. This temple is richly adorned and continues to serve as a place for worship and community events. As we continued to explored the Wanhua District, it felt like there was another smaller, yet intricately decorated temple hidden around every corner, nestled between shops and restaurants.
Taiwan, also known as Formosa, is recognized for its rapid transformation into a modern industrialized nation, However, alongside its advanced manufacturing sector, small family-run businesses continue to thrive. This image of a couple printing patterned wrapping paper with their old-fashioned press exemplifies Taiwan’s strong entrepreneurial spirit.
We observed these vibrant manhole covers installed throughout Taipei. This particular cover features key elements of the city, such as Taipei 101 (the world’s tallest building, March 2004 to March 2010), the Miramar Ferris Wheel and the Maokong Gondola. Various manhole patterns can be found scattered across the downtown core creating a pseudo scavenger hunt.
Following five fascinating days in Taipei, we wrapped up our Asian tour and caught our flight to Malta. Southeast Asia surpassed our expectations and offered a truly breathtaking and enlightening experience. Definitely two thumbs up.