Sailings

Huge department stores brim with shoppers, neon flashes from dusk to dawn, and the entire world pays heed to the slightest fluctuation on the Nikkei Index. From the Imperial Palace and Meiji Shrine to the fabled Ginza district, 20th-century Tokyo is an intriguing composite of East and West. Yuppies sporting Walkmen bow formally in greeting. Women in kimonos and Dior suits stroll side-by-side. Geishas play samisens while disc jockeys play the Top Forty. Japanese houses of wood and paper stand in the shadow of towering steel and mortar. Not far away, one of the world's most impressive sights soars 12,388 feet to its snow-clad peak: Mount Fuji, the majestic symbol of Japan.

This large city is an excursion base from which to explore the dramatic coastlines, national parks and volcanic mountains of Kyushu, Japan's third largest island. Mount Sakurajima, an active volcano, can be reached by ferry. To the north, Kirishima-Yaku National Park is a scenic area of smoking volcanoes, craters and lakes. South of the city, Ibusuki, the island's most popular seaside resort, welcomes kimono-clad bathers to its sandy beaches and warm, underwater springs.

One of Japan's most historic cities, Nagasaki was a major port, trading with the Portuguese and Dutch in the 16th century. You can still see this colonial legacy in the brick buildings, old forts, canals and curving cobblestone streets. On a hill overlooking the bay, beautiful Glover Mansion, the setting of Madame Butterfly, is typical of the fine homes built by wealthy foreign residents. But Nagasaki's ties with Korea and China are equally apparent in the famous Chinese temple, a large Chinese colony and the numerous fine Korean and Chinese restaurants.

From opium wars to junks and barges, images of Shanghai flood the senses. The real Shanghai is a teeming metropolis of 11 million, bustling with energy, towering skyscrapers and art deco buildings, honking traffic and shopping crowds. But once you enter China's largest city, you'll find Eastern ways abound: Tai Chi along the Bund, the serenity of exquisite ponds and gardens, and an endless flotilla of sampans edging along the Huangpu River. Explore Shanghai old and new: the busy bazaars and alleyways of the Old Town, Yu Garden, the Wuxingting Tea House, Long Hua Temple and more.

Across the Formosa Strait from mainland China is the bustling port of Keelung, on the island of Taiwan. Just 20 miles inland is Taipei, the national capital, one of the most prosperous cities in Asia. Marvel at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the Grand Hotel, and the National Palace Museum, with its art treasures from Beijing''s Forbidden City.

Judging from the beauty of Hanoi, you can't help but to be amazed by its appearance. This pleasant city offers just the right atmosphere, not too fast paced and not too slow. Through all of the different moves and name changes, Hanoi is still able to maintain its allure.

Hanoi was moved from Hoa Lu to Dai La by King Ly Thai To (Ly Cong Uan) in 1010. The king's vision of the dragon ascending from the Red river brought on the change of Dai La to Thang Long. At the end of the Tran Dynasty in 1397, the capital city Thang Long was moved to Thanh Hoa-Tay Do (Western Capital) and Thang Long became Dong Do (Eastern Capital). The capital was renamed Dong Quan during the invasion by China in 1407. In 1428, Le Loi liberated Vietnam and renamed Dong Quan to Dong Kinh after 10 year fight. Once again the city was renamed Thang Long in 1527, King Gai Long moved this capital city to Hue in 1802 and changed the meaning of Long from dragon to prosperity. When King Minh Mang came along he renamed the city Ha Noi in 1831 meaning within the river.

Besides Hanoi's beauty, this city also possesses historical findings. One of these findings would be Ho Hoan Kiem (Lake of the Returned Sword). The Lake of the Returned Sword was at one point in time called Luc Thuy or Green Water then changed to Ho Hoan Kiem, based on a similar legend as the Kind Arthur and the Lady of the Lake's legend. After the 10 years of fighting the Chinese and vindicated Vietnam's independence. The priceless sword that King Le Thai possessed was taken away by a large turtle. During a sail on Lake Luc Thuy the turtle appeared, the king pointed the sword at the turtle. The turtle grab onto the sword and disappeared into the lake. Since this sword was of such value the king ordered for the lake to be emptied, but the sword or the turtle was never seen again.

After 20 years of isolation, this history-laden Vietnamese capital will charm and fascinate you with her vibrant sights. Formerly Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a blend of magnificent French colonial architecture set against spacious boulevards thronged with trishaws, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians. Leave time to shop in the Ben Thanh Market or wander in the landmark Reunification Hall. The more adventurous may opt for an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong in hiding from Allied troops.

One of Asia's great success stories, this island republic has merged diverse cultures into a dynamic and thriving nation. Clean, modern and full of green gardens, its neighborhoods reflect the Chinese, Malay, Indian, Arab and European backgrounds of its past. After sampling the legendary shopping, retire to Raffles Hotel's famous bar and toast Maugham, Kipling and Noel Coward with a Singapore Sling.

Ancient Burmese culture endures in this exotic city of the Irawaddy River. The jewel of the city formerly known as Rangoon is the Shewedagon Pagoda, one of the world's great Buddhist shrines, which is literally swathed in gold as well as diamonds, rubies and other precious stones.

This thriving port on the Bay of Bengal provides the perfect introduction to the wonders of southern India. Magnificent Dravidian temples compete with monuments from the British colonial past, including the Chepauk Palace and the High Court buildings. Chennai is also a thriving university and cultural center, as well as a leader in Indian film-making.

Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka means "Resplendent Land," an apt description for this beautiful island. Sri Lanka lies fifty-five miles north of the equator, just off the southern tip of India. With its unique beauty, warm climate and near-perfect beaches, Sri Lanka is one of Asia's most adored destinations. Since the sixteenth century, the Portuguese, Dutch and British have all left their architectural and cultural marks in Sri Lanka's capital of Colombo. Yet despite its colonial architecture, Sri Lanka has always remained Oriental in spirit, with colorful bazaars, dancing elephants, graceful women in saris, and many Buddhist shrines and temples.

Few cities evoke such a wealth of sensations as Bombay. Entering the city under the Gateway of India, which commemorates the visit of King George and Queen Mary in 1911, the sounds and aromas are exotic and the level of activity from the bazaars to the street vendors is non-stop. Remnants of British rule along oceanfront Marine Drive stand alongside the thought-provoking former home of Mahatma Gandhi, and the cave temple at Elephanta with its second-century Hindu gods. Bombay also serves as the gateway for land tours to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, and Delhi, the historical center of India.

Despite the primeval desert that surrounds it, spirited Dubai has spent its oil income on modern architecture based on soaring Islamic spires. Explore the souk bazaars for gold and silks, Persian and Afghani rugs and more. And be sure to visit the Juneira Mosque.