Shore Excursion: 2008 Star Clipper Far East (710 KB)

Batong Group, Thailand
These islands are close to the Malaysian island of Langkawi and are characterized by towering rock formations and beautiful beaches. Crystal clear seas team with marine life, ideal for snorkelling and diving or simply enjoying a relaxing swim.

Ko Khai Nok, Thailand
Situated off the coast of Phuket, the island of Khai Nok or Ko Khai Nok (Ko means island in Thai) is an idyllic tropical paradise. She offers spectacular views of Phuket's coastline which can be seen on the horizon and her white sandy beaches are lapped by a crystal clear sea, perfect for watersports and teaming with marine life.

Ko Adang, Thailand
The Batong Group of islands is about as far south as you can go on the western coast of Thailand. Protected by the Ko Tarutao National Park, this 61-island archipelago is only a stone's throw from the Malaysian border and way, way off the radar screen of tourist groups. The only habitations on Ko Adang are the Park offices and since there aren't many visitors, the pristine beaches and deserted coves are all yours.

Ko Lipe, Thailand
Lying south of the Batong Group, the island of Ko Lipe offers a beautiful 3/4 mile long white sand beach with a discreet local Thai restaurant, and not so discreet monkeys! The crystal clear waters are a perfect site for snorkeling, diving and watersports. A ten minute walk across the island takes you through luxurious vegetation to the authentic fishing village of Chao Le also situated on a white sand beach with a stunning view of several small rock islands.

Ko Miang, Thailand
Ko Miang is a tiny yet beautiful island set among the Similan Islands with contrasting scenery of limestone cliffs and sandy beaches, ideally suited to swimming and snorkeling.

Ko Kradan, Thailand
One of 47 Islands in the Talay Trang archipelago, Ko Kraden is part of the Had Chao Mai National Park and home to its small Headquarters located on the beach. Clear waters and attractive white sand beaches on the west coast contrast with rocky beaches on the east coast providing excellent opportunities for swimming and diving.

Ko Phi Phi, Thailand
The twin islands of Phi Phi lie some 42 kilometres south of Phuket in the Andaman Sea. Phi Phi Don, the larger and more developed island, has wonderful sandy beaches and offers excellent swimming and snorkelling opportunities. Phi Phi Ley is smaller with a beautiful coral reef and magnificent limestone caves.

Ko Similan, Thailand
The Similan Islands, or Nine Islands as they are also known because of their number, nestle in the Andaman Sea to the north of Phuket and are world-renowned among diving enthusiasts for underwater sightseeing. Accessible only by sea, The Similan Islands are stunningly beautiful, with scenes straight out of your dreams of a tropical paradise.

Ko Surin, Thailand
A National Park since 1981, The Surin Islands, just to the south of Burmese waters, are famous for excellent diving and sport fishing. The two main islands (there are five in all) are known as the North Surin island and the South Surin island, and it is in the channel between the two where the best diving is said to be.

Langkawi, Malaysia
The breathtaking Malaysian island of Langkawi is one of a group of 104 islands scattered in the calm seas off the northern most tip of Peninsular Malaysia. The clear tropical waters here provide some of the most spectacular swimming and diving in the world, while scenes of paddy fields contoured into limestone hillsides, lush tropical forests and high tumbling waterfalls, entrance nature lovers on land.

Malacca, Malaysia
Malacca. The Spice Trade. The two are inseparably associated. From the time of the early Renaissance explorers onward, it was the control of the Malaccan Straits that dictated who would own the most precious treasures of the Orient, its spices. The Portuguese, the Dutch and the British ruled Malacca at one time or another. Explore opulent private mansions built in the distinctive Peranakan colonial style and filled with priceless Chinese antiques.

Penang, Malaysia
'The Pearl of the Orient' lies off the north-western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and is linked to the mainland by one of the longest bridges in the world. The capital, Georgetown, bears the stamp of a mixture of foreign influences and boasts a 65 storey skyscraper called the Komtar, a complex of department stores, restaurants, theatres and squash courts. In total contrast, this beautiful island is home to one of the finest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, Kek Lok Si Temple.

Phang Nga, Ko Hong, Thailand
The sheer-sided sea mountains that rise vertically out of Phang Nga Bay form some of Thailand's most spectacular scenery. The islands in this region feature wonderful white sandy beaches and superb coral reefs. Ko Hong ('hong' meaning 'room'), part of the Ko Hong archipelago is so named because of its large internal lagoon. One of the prettiest bays in the area, huge monolithic rocks provide shade all day long on a beautiful white silica sand beach.

Phuket, Thailand
Phuket, Thailand's largest island, lies in the Andaman Sea and is joined to the mainland by a causeway. The landscape is one of lush green hills, coconut groves and rubber plantations, with a coastline dotted with a dozen spectacular beaches. Phuket is a holiday paradise with the lively area of Patong providing the up-beat resort life with its many shops, restaurants and bars, leaving the rest of the island to show off her natural beauty and unspoiled culture.

Singapore
Singapore is a city dedicated to business. The spires of its skyscrapers look like a big bar graph pointing to the sky. It is incredibly clean and crime is virtually unknown. But amid this obsessive neatness is a madly chaotic welter of peoples and cultures, drawn to Singapore in pursuit of the almighty Singapore dollar. Get a taste of colonial Singapore at Raffles, where the Singapore Sling was invented, Emerald Hill, with its charming pavilioned pre-war homes, the Victorian botanic garden and the green lawns of the Padang Cricket Club. And lest you forget, be sure to visit Orchard Road for non-stop shopping.