The Yangtze, Ryukyu & Philippines

Day 1 Shanghai, China

Arrive into the energetic and colorful culture of Shanghai, China and transfer to the port to board your luxury cruise ship, Orion II.

Day 2 Shanghai, China

The Shanghai skyline is full of extraordinary architecture and the streets a multicultural mix where Western customs and Chinese traditions create an energetic, colorful culture.

Day 3 At Sea

At sea

Day 4 Kagoshima, Kyushu Island

On the south western tip of Kyushu we find the city of Kagoshima. Dominating the harbor upon our arrival is the stratovolcano Sakurajima. This volcano is located in the Aira caldera, which was formed in an enormous eruption 22,000 years ago. Sakurajima itself is believed to have formed around 13,000 years ago. The 1914 eruption of Sakurajima linked the volcano to the mainland, as it is today. The volcano is still active today with regular plumes of ash rising from the cone.

Kagoshima has a long proud Samarai history and the port has played a significant role throughout history. It is said that Kagoshima was the birth place of the Japanese Industrial revolution. During the Edo Period (1603-1867) it was forbidden for Japanese citizens to travel abroad, however several young men from this region were believed to have travelled to England and the United States, returning to share their insights into western science and technology, and giving a kick start to the industrial revolution that followed.

We will begin our day by boarding our coaches, then crossing the harbour by ferry, to visit the observation area for the Sakurajima Volcano. After viewing Sakurajima we will proceed to an unusual feature of the area, the Sakurajima Nagisa Foot Bath Park. With great views over the caldera-harbour, you can soak your feet in the geothermally heated water running through hundreds of metres of foot baths in the ultimate natural foot spa.

We will visit the Senganen Japanese Garden and one time home of the Shimadzu family, feudal lords of this domain. We will be met by Edo Period Samurai re-enactors. Continuing further afield we will visit the former Samurai residences of Chiran, where the streets are lined with ponds full of Japanese Koi Carp and finally onto the Chiran Peace Park, documenting the history of the infamous Kamikaze pilots of World War II.

Optional Expedition: Ibusuki Art & Culture Experience. Please contact us for rates.

Day 5 At Sea

At sea

Day 6 Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands

Today we will berth in Naha, the main port for Okinawa, the largest island in the Ryukyu Island chain. The Ryukyu Islands stretch from Kyushu, down to the South West to within 120 kilometres off Taiwan. The Ryukyus formed part of an independent kingdom through until the 14th century when they came under the control of China’s Ming Dynasty. By the 17th century Japanese samurai invaded the islands under the leadership of the feudal lord of the Japanese province of Satsuma, finding little resistance from within the Ryukyus. A unique system of paying tribute to both the Japanese and Chinese Emperors then existed until the 19th century, when the Japanese Meiji Government fully annexed the Ryukyus, terminating ties with China and forcibly relocating the Ryukyu King to Tokyo.

Okinawa, the largest of the Ryukyu Islands, was the site of significant ground warfare during the Battle of Okinawa during World War II. American troops fought a long bloody battle to capture Okinawa, so it could next be used as the major stepping stone for the planned invasion of Japan. The 82-day-long battle saw loses of over 100,000 Japanese troops and over 12,000 AUS troops were lost. Significantly somewhere between 42,000 and 150,000 Okinawan civilians - approximately one quarter of the civilian population - were also killed. Okinawa remained under direct US military control from the end of the war right up until 1972. Several significant US military bases remain on Okinawa today, the future of which is subject to significant debate today between the US and Japanese governments.

A shuttle will be available to the main town area of Naha today for independent exploration and shopping or you can join our included expedition that will explore several areas of interest in the region.

We will today visit the former Japanese Imperial Navy HQ on Okinawa, and traverse the underground tunnel system linking the command bunkers that controlled the Japanese forces during the Battle of Okinawa. As the US forces overcame the Japanese resistance, the Japanese commanders ended their own lives by detonating a grenade within their control room in the bunker. The nearby peace memorial with its eternal flame are a reminder of all those who lost their lives in the battle and of the overall futility of war.

The significant Shuri Castle had many links to the unique system of paying tribute to both the Japanese and Chinese emperors. The color alone, being red, is in contrast to the traditional Japanese Vermillion color, red being much more closely associated to the Chinese kingdoms. Local guides will escort us through the fascinating passageways and grand rooms of the castle.

We will finish our exploration of the area today with walk through the Gangala Valley. A well formed path takes through a semi-collapsed cave system, surrounded by forests featuring giant Banyan trees. Within the valley is a site of pre-historic settlement estimated to date some 18,000 years back where excavations continue. Human skeletal remains and tools uncovered on the site to date are thought to be from the oldest inhabitants of Okinawa, which may also potentially be some of the oldest in all Asia. Some researchers argue that these remains come from ancestors of the people of Japan in the Jomon period (14,000 to 4,000 BCE).

Day 7 Ishigaki Island, Ryukyu Islands

This destination is still under development to bring you new exciting inclusive and optional expeditions, please check back shortly for more information.

Ishigaki Island is surrounded by coral reefs and small uninhabited islands. We explore beautiful beaches, both sandy and rocky, that offer great snorkeling in clear waters.

Day 8 Irimote Island, Ryukyu Islands

With a population of around 2000, and infrastructure limited to a single coastal road linking the various townships and hamlets, Iriomote is one of the smaller islands in the Ryukyu chain. Without an airstrip, visitors would normally arrive via ferry from nearby Ishigaki, which has a much larger population and major infrastructure and resorts. The majority of the island is covered by thick forests and mangroves and with an average yearly temperature of 23.5 degrees it is considered to be a tropical rainforest climate. The island is home to unique nocturnal species of wild cat, the Iriomote Cat, whose population has been severely impacted upon by humans even with the limited development that exists on Iriomote.

We will anchor in a semi-protected bay and use our Zodiacs to land directly on one of Iriomote’s beautiful white sand beaches where you can dive straight into the almost tropical waters or explore the coastline at your leisure. An included shuttle service to nearby Star Beach, which has snorkeling on the fringing reef, will be available through out our visit as well, our join one of our included or optional expeditions to further explore this unique island.

Our included expedition today will take us on a tour of the local wetlands. Boarding large comfortable river boats with local guides we will travel upstream through mangroves and rainforest observing the local flora and potential for sighting birds as well. In the upper reaches of the river we can undertake a short forest walk to a small waterfall, before rejoining the river boats.

Optional Expedition: Yubajima Buffalo Taxi & Botanic Gardens. Please contact us for rates.

Day 9 Keelung, Taiwan

Keelung has impressive temples, small shrines and shopping malls everywhere. The National Museum has one of the world’s largest collections of Chinese art and the performance calendar is packed at the National Theatre and Concert Hall. Simply bursting with energy and culture.

Day 10 At Sea

At sea

Day 11 San Fernando (for Baguio), Luzon

The port of San Fernando in Northern Luzon, the Philippines is used purely as the access point to Baguio, in the mountains of Luzon.

In the central mountains of Northern Luzon, 1500 meters above sea level sits the city of Baguio. The city has long been considered as a place to get away from the heat and humidity of the lower regions and in particular the city of Manila. During the period of American administration of the Philippine Islands, the American Governor General had his summer residence in Baguio and it was considered the summer capital at that time. American forces based in the Philippines up until the 1990’s used the Baguio region as a rest and recreation area. The former US base areas have today been developed into resort and function facilities, large golf courses and with high class shopping areas adding to the attractions for local visitors. Baguio City itself has become large and crowded like many parts of the Philippines, but still serves as a gateway to the culture of the mountain tribes of Luzon.

We will travel by coach from the port of San Fernando to the mountain top hideaway of Luzon. After a comfort stop at Camp John Hay the former US military base now an exclusive resort, we will explore the surrounds of the city. “The Mansion” is the second official residence of the Philippines President, and although access is restricted we can see the outside of the Mansion and its surrounding gardens. We will visit Mines View Park giving us an extensive view into the valleys below and giving us an opportunity to visit local markets.

Lunch will consist of a Filipino style banquet at Camp John Hay, and will include traditional cultural performances from local hill tribes. After lunch we will visit the BenCab Museum, home to a vast array of traditional and contemporary art from the region and also Tam-awan Village, which replicates traditional building styles and gardens of the hill tribes of Luzon, before returning to the port and our awaiting ship.

Day 12 Puerto Galera, Mindoro

Mindoro is the seventh largest island in the Philippines, sitting just off the south western tip of Luzon. The island is largely dependent on agriculture although tourism is starting to offer lucrative opportunities for growth. Puerto Galera is at the northern end of Mindoro and is regularly cited as having one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Whilst well and truly on the “tourist map” the small township remains sleepy and friendly and the beaches scattered in pockets around the bay provide great access for swimming in snorkeling.

Today for the duration of our visit our Zodiac fleet will be available to shuttle you to one of Puerto Galera’s beautiful white sand beaches for swimming and snorkeling, or alternatively you can take one of the Zodiacs to the small waterfront township and visit one of the coffee shops or grab a cold San Miguel Pilsener from one of the small local bars.

Day 13 Coron, Palawan, Philippines

Recently the feature of a major National Geographic expedition, Coron is one of the world’s true undiscovered paradises. Steep cliffs descend down into incredibly blue water, and the local indigenous people guard this area with pride, hanging onto their culture and winning a national court case in the Philippines to gain native title of the area. The local people have strict guidelines for all access and development in the area and access to all sites can only be gained through cooperation with the indigenous owners, the Tagbanua people.

Orion II will enter into the spectacular bay between the larger Busuanga Island and Coron Island proper and anchor close to Atiwayan Beach. Through arrangements with the locals we will have exclusive access to this beach for the duration of our visit. Just off the beach a floating pontoon marks a spectacular reef system available for us to snorkel on.

Later in the day Orion II will reposition further into the bay, and we will take to the Zodiacs to view the sunset, an absolute must see amongst the islands and cliffs of Coron. As the twilight fades we will soak away the days adventures in the local hot springs, accessible via our Zodiacs. We will overnight on the ship anchored in spectacular surrounds and before departing the next morning we will have a chance to visit the small township of Coron, on the island of Busuanga and visit their thriving markets.

Through out the day we will have access to Atiwayan beach and the nearby reef for snorkelling and swimming. The local Tagbanua people will present cultural displays on the beach when we arrive, showing their traditional dance, and also demonstrating the method for extracting edible bird’s nest, after scaling the vertical cliffs bare foot. A scenic Zodiac cruise to the twin lakes will also be available today. The scenery is absolutely spectacular and presents great opportunities for photography.

Later in the day, included for all is the Zodiac expedition to view the spectacular sunset into the bay and an opportunity to visit the local natural hot springs. The following morning before departure, zodiac transfers will be available to the township of Coron for a guided walk through the markets, or independent exploration of the area.

Optional Expeditions: Coron Explorer or Coron SCUBA Dive. Please contact us for rates.

Day 14 At Sea

At sea

Day 15 Tawau, Malaysia

Tawau is the third largest town of the state of Sabah. It is a relatively new town in Malaysia, boomed in early 1980s for its lumber and cocoa farming industry. Today Tawau is a bustling town where it is a transit point to the rest of the world and your farewell from this expedition.