Page 4 - Travel Advisors of Los Gatos – Fall 2015

Hong Kong Kuala Lumpur
Cruising through Asia affords a much different perspective than the experience offered via a land tour. After sailing through small villages set along riverbanks or seas bordering great Asian metropolises, travelers have the opportunity to engage with locals and experience regional culture.
HAUTE HONG KONG
As one of Asia’s commerce centers, bustling
Hong Kong remains one of the region’s most visited cities. The glittering metropolis often serves as the departure point for deeper exploration and is a popular cruise hub. Known for its exquisite shopping, luxury hotels and haute cuisine, Hong Kong attracts visitors from around the world.
The city and its harbor are best seen from the top of Victoria Peak. Reaching more than 1,640 feet above Hong Kong’s harbor, the site boasts panoramic views of the area, once the home of busy fishing villages, upon which this center of trade was built. As the highest mountain on Hong Kong Island, Victoria Peak once served as a summer retreat
for Hong Kong’s early elite residents and only expatriates were permitted to reside here from
1904 until 1947. The scene is especially spectacular at night when brightly lit skyscrapers and the brilliant profusion of neon lights ignite the sky.
MALAYSIA’S RETAIL THERAPY
In Malaysia, travelers find an exotic country with quaint, landscaped villages, cosmopolitan cities, and
a diversity of customs and traditions. The peninsula, bordered by Thailand to the north, is home to residents of mainly Malay, Indian and Chinese heritage. With a population of more than 30 million, English, Mandarin, Cantonese and other languages are spoken throughout Malaysia, but Bahasa Malaysia is the official language.
The once famous mining town of Kuala Lumpur has grown to become an exciting metropolis in Southeast Asia. The diverse city is known around the globe for its shopping, boasting large centers and districts, such as Bukit Bintang (or Bintang Walk/ Starhill) that sell designer brands, yet is also home
to bazaars and markets, such as Petaling Street/ Chinatown, Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan
Sailing through Southeast Asia affords the opportunity to experience the distinctive cultures of many cities in this once mysterious region.
Masjid India that offer locally sourced goods and unique items.
Serious shoppers will plan their trip according to the Malaysia Mega Sale. Though this event is hosted throughout Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur has embraced its reputation as a shopper’s paradise. The local government advises visitors to keep in mind that many reputable vendors will display a badge, which reveals their business as one that treats tourists with honesty and fair pricing.
CELEBRATING SINGAPORE
Singapore, at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, is the gateway to all of Southeast Asia today, as Hong Kong was in the past. Now a modern city-state known throughout the world for its phenomenal cleanliness, efficiency and national pride, Singapore is one of the most visitor friendly destinations in Asia. Irresistible goods from the four corners of the world are available for retail explorers who include shopping as a priority during their travels.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Singapore has events planned through the end of 2015. Among Singapore’s exciting events, the Grand Prix Season Singapore will honor the anniversary with concerts,
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