21-night Southeast Asian Adventure Voyage

Penang, or more properly Pulau Pinang, is the northern gateway to Malaysia and also the country’s oldest British settlement. To the tourist industry, Penang has been marketed for a long time as the Pearl of the Orient. Although Penang is best known for its beaches, there is much more here than just sand and sea. The island is considered a cultural and architectural gem with Chinese, Malay and Indian influences. Other sights include St. George’s Church - built in 1818 of classic Georgian architecture; Penang Hill - a 2,500-foot hill with a splendid view over Georgetown; Botanical Gardens - the 74-acre landscaped gardens featuring many indigenous and exotic plant species, a waterfall, jungle-clad hills and two species of monkeys, the macaque and dusky leaf monkeys; Golf Courses - The Bukit Jambul Golf & Country Club is located on Penang Island, and other golf courses in Province Wellesley on the mainland are the Penang Golf Resort and Bukit Jawi Golf Resort.

Many visitors find this city to be one of the most appealing cities in Taiwan. Visitors come here to enjoy the scenery and fresh air and also to tour the famous Taroko Gorge, which is located a few miles north of the city. Not to miss is the Hualien Ocean Park, which features a ferris wheel, cable car, and eight different zones that introduce aspects of ocean and marine life. Hualien is an excellent place to purchase hand woven cloth in traditional aboriginal designs. Dining options are endless, and visitors will want to try Muaji, a rice dish filled with sweet sesame paste and various fruits.