Cathay Pacific Airways

American Roy C Farrell and Australian Sydney H de Kantzow founded Cathay Pacific Airways in Hong Kong on 24 September, 1946. Initially based in Shanghai, the two men eventually moved to Hong Kong and founded Cathay Pacific Airways. Legend has it that Farrell and a group of foreign correspondents thought up the airline's unique name in the bar at the Manila Hotel!

We have about an 8-hour layover in the Hong Kong airport.  This is after flying from ATL to LAX late afternoon, leaving LAX after midnight and flying for ump-teen hours.  Steve found the Travelers' Lounge for our extended lay-over.

The Travelers' Lounge (‘TTL’) and Plaza Shower & Relaxation Lounge (‘Shower Lounge’) are located in the Restricted Area of Departures Level of Hong Kong International Airport.  
Services & Facilities:
 - Food & Beverages
 - Shower
 - Internet Access
 - International Newspapers & Magazines
 - International TV Channels
 - Music Enjoyment
 - Comfortable Seating Area
 - Nap

Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Beijing is one of the four municipalities of the PRC, equivalent to a province in China's administrative structure. Beijing Municipality borders Hebei Province to the north, west, south, and for a small section in the east, and Tianjin Municipality to the southeast.

Beijing is China's second largest city in terms of population, after Shanghai. It is a major transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and expressways entering and leaving it in all directions. It is also the focal point of many international flights to China. Beijing is recognized as the political, educational, and cultural center of the PRC, while Shanghai and Hong Kong predominate in economic fields.

The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City was the center of imperial power throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the picture would only have given you a slight idea of the immensity and stature of this famous structure.

A Tang Dynasty poet wrote about the Forbidden City: "Without seeing the magnificence of the royal palace, one can never sense the dignity of the emperor." Indeed, visitors to Beijing are left with a feeling of awe as they tour the immense Forbidden City, with its elaborate and enormous gates and towers.

Get a feel of how the Emperor and Empress lived at the center of power for a span of centuries, from 1402 right through to 1911. Hear the stories about their relations with each other, and the way they lived their lives as leaders of an ancient nation.

Come and get a firsthand feel for the power that used to belong to the Emperors of ancient China.

Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is the largest square in the world, which is about 40 hectares (99 acres) in all!

In ancient times this was the imperial courtyard, and when the dynasties collapsed, there were many things of historic importance that took place on the square.

After the founding of the Chinese government, the monument to the people's hero was built in the central line of old Beijing city, in the same line as the Forbidden City. The national flag was put in the same central line, as well as Chairman Mao's mausoleum (built behind the monument along the central line as well).

On the square, you can take a walk and have a look at our Great People's Hall on the west side and the history museum to the east side. Look at the people try to fly kites to entertain themselves. You will get a real feel for the life of Beijing!

Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven was a special place for ancient emperors, where they used to render worship to what they regarded as the heavenly king.

Every year the emperors felt compelled to come and announce the article written for the heavenly king. At that time, animal sacrifices were offered and prayers were offered in the hope of receiving blessings.

The first act of any ancient emperor, upon coming to the throne, was to do an act of worship in the Temple of Heaven. After this they would assume their official station as emperor.

Depart Beijing for a scenic drive to The Great Wall. This evening enjoy a Chinese hosted dinner.

The Great Wall
Construction on the Wall began as early as the far distant spring and autumn period in the 8th century B.C., but it was the first Qin Emperor who extended this bastion against the "Northern Barbarians.” Construction reached its height under the Ming Dynasty. Today, the wall stretches some 3,600 miles. Your visit features a walk along a restored section of the Wall’s battlements, which are wide enough to allow cavalry and chariots to pass.

The Summer Palace is the most beautiful place in Beijing, and was built during Emperor Qianlong's reign. This emperor wanted to celebrate his mother's 60th birthday, so he built the Summer Palace in her honor.

It is made up of a lake and a hill, and is divided into a political area, living quarters of the imperial family, and a sightseeing area. Almost all palaces were built along the large lake. You can enjoy a boat tour to appreciate the tower on the hill, and then walk along the painting corridor to add to your pleasure. There, you will find about 14,000 different paintings!

When you visit the palace of the emperor and the queen's and concubines', you will be able to learn how the concubines were selected, the rites between the queen and concubines, and also the celebration of Mother Queen Ci'xi. This tour is a high point in the study of Beijing culture and ancient imperial rites.

Transfer to the pier at Xingang and embark on your 16-day cruise.

Busan Metropolitan City, also commonly referred to as Pusan, is the largest harbor city in Korea, with a population of about 4 million, Busan is South Korea's second largest metropolis next to Seoul. The densely populated city is situated in the narrow Nakdong River valley, with mountains separating some of the various districts. Busan is located at 35°6'10" North, 129°2'25" East (35.102778, 129.040278).

Peace Memorial Park
On August 9, 1945, Nagasaki became the second city to suffer a nuclear attack. Peace Memorial Park is located near Ground Zero, the center of the blast, and is home to a beautiful memorial fountain and the 30-foot-high "Statue of Peace."

Atomic Bomb Museum
On permanent exhibit are photographs taken in the city immediately after the atomic blast, as well as artifacts that survived the explosion.

Atomic Bomb Hypocenter (Ground Zero)
Located near the Atomic Bomb Museum, the monument marks the center of the atomic blast which leveled the city.

Shanghai, China situated on the banks of the Yangtze River Delta, is China's largest city. The city's development in the past few decades has made it one of the most important economic, commercial, financial and communications centers of China.

Millions of tourists flock to experience Hong Kong's wonders every year.

Hong Kong's visitors seek out a wide range of natural, cultural and cosmopolitan attractions. The most popular attractions during the past few years have included:

Victoria Peak
From The Peak's summit, visitors can gaze down on the jungle of skyscrapers and Victoria Harbour, where ferries and pleasure junks glide by. At night, the whole area becomes a dazzling spectacle of lights.

Open-Air Markets
Market shopping is a fascinating part of the Hong Kong experience. Visit the Ladies' Market in Mong Kok for inexpensive fashion items or Yau Ma Tei's Temple Street Night Market for anything from T-shirts to electronics. As well as souvenir markets, visitors can enjoy markets dedicated to birds and flowers.

Ocean Park
Ocean Park is one of the biggest entertainment complexes of its kind in Asia. Its reef aquarium, giant pandas, roller-coasters, Kid's World and Discovery of the Ancient World combine to offer a fun-filled day.

Repulse Bay
Repulse Bay is one of the most accessible and picturesque beaches on the south side of Hong Kong Island.

Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple
Decorated in a riot of colours, Wong Tai Sin is an excellent example of a traditional Chinese temple. Yellow latticework and multicoloured carvings complement the temple's red pillars and golden roof.

Aberdeen
Aberdeen is a scenic highlight of any trip around Hong Kong Island. Brightly decorated trawlers, which double as floating homes for Aberdeen's fishermen, fill a sheltered harbour whose hillsides are decked with woodland and residential towers - not to mention Hong Kong's famously glitzy floating restaurants.

Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
The Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre is one of Hong Kong's defining landmarks, with its distinctive curved three-tier roof and vast expanse of glass walls creating a dramatic vista.

Stanley Market
Stanley Market is a delight for shoppers, filled with stalls, shops and innovative restaurants.

 

Ponagar Cham Tower
The Champa Kingdom flourished for over a thousand years. This tower complex overlooking the Cao River is perhaps the best preserved of all Cham sites. Dedicated to the goddess Uroja, the central tower features a black stone sculpture of the deity. Local villagers still bring offerings of flowers and incense to her shrine.

Hon Chong Promontory
This small, rocky peninsula juts out into the South China Sea and offers fine views of the bay, the coast and the offshore islands.

Long Son Pagoda
Dragon-shaped balustrades flank the entrance to the pagoda. The sanctuary is decorated with murals and images of the Buddha. Behind the pagoda sits an enormous white Buddha built in 1965. The Buddha commemorates those monks who protested the abuses of the Diem regime by setting themselves aflame.

Silk Embroidery Workshop
Observe the ancient Vietnamese art of picture embroidery at a local workshop. Silk embroideries illustrate subjects ranging from scenes of everyday life to myths.

Vung Tau is a resort town in the province of Dong Nai 125 km from Saigon. The town is a long strip approximately 14 km long and 6 km wide. Where the southern tip of town meets the ocean stand two famous mountains Nui Lon (Truong Ky) and Nui Nho (Tao Phung) or Large mountain and Small mountain. If anywhere in Vietnam could be described as the "Vietnamese Riviera," it would surely be Vung Tau.

Historically, Vung Tau used to be part of Bien Hoa. The first settlements in this area occurred during the reign of King Gia Long.

Vung Tau is Ho Chi Minh City's closest beach resort, and can be reached by a picturesque hydrofoil ride down the Sài Gòn River or by a rather circuitous highway route. The water is not terribly clean, but the town with its fishing fleet and outdoor restaurants is colorful and relaxing. Thousands flock there on Sunday afternoons to jump into the surf with most of their clothes on. Bai Truoc (Front Beach) is most popular.

Leam Chabang is an industrial port city, one of the bigger cities in Thailand’s Chon Buri province. This city specializes in electronics assembly, containers, logistics for import / export and a gateway for tourism.

Situated about 70 miles south of Bangkok International Airport, the city is easily accessible by driving along the Sukhumvit Road (Highway 3). It is located right next to Leamchabang Port. A major industrial and agricultural producer, Chon Buri specializes in sugar cane, coconut, and tapioca plantations and is home to many manufacturing plants. Sriracha District is a large residential area with shopping malls, ports, and a Sport Centre close by. Plus, the beautiful and popular seaside resort of Pattaya – featuring beaches, sports, and a renowned nightlife – is a short 30-minute drive away.

Bangkok, a mirror of Venice in Asia, this "City of Angels" is a bustling place with a maze of extensive waterways constantly in motion. In between the office towers and royal palaces are beautiful parks, boulevards and gardens. Bangkok is a city with more than 400 Buddhist temples. The most famous of these is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, containing a statue carved from a single piece of jade. Gaze at one of Bangkok's best known landmarks, Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn. Spend time in the city's oldest and biggest monastery, Wat Pho, where you'll be awed by its famed Reclining Buddah. Shoppers will enjoy the excitement of the floating markets.

Kuantan (population 340,000) is a town in Malaysia, and is the state capital of Pahang, the largest state in the peninsular, covering around 36,000 km². It is in Peninsular Malaysia, facing the South China Sea and at the mouth of the Kuantan River about halfway up the east coast from Singapore to Kota Bharu.

The Pahang state government shifted the administrative centre of Pahang from Kuala Lipis to Kuantan in 1957.

State Mosque, KuantanKuantan's main sightseeing attraction is its State Mosque(Masjid Negeri). There are scenic beaches popular with vacationers in the town's vicinity, such as Teluk Cempedak, Batu Hitam, Balok, and Cherating. The Kuantan area also produces handicrafts and batik. The main shopping facilities in Kuantan includes Berjaya Megamall, Kuantan Parade, Kuantan Plaza, and Teruntum.

The Republic of Singapore is an island city-state in Southeast Asia, situated on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, south of the Malaysian state of Johor and north of the Indonesian Riau Islands. Its coordinates are 1°17.583′ N 103°51.333′ E, just 137 km north of the Equator. The name Singapore was derived from Malay word singa (lion), which itself is derived from the Sanskrit word siMha of the same meaning, and the Sanskrit word pura (city).

Singapore was originally a Malay settlement. The British developed the city as a colonial trading port and military base from the early 19th century. Singapore declared independence from Britain in 1963, and joined the Federation of Malaysia shortly afterwards. On expulsion from Malaysia in 1965, Singapore was separated from traditional markets. Its future looked bleak. But government-led rapid industrialisation and business-friendly policies stimulated some of the fastest economic growth in the modern world. Singapore now has one of the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita rates in the world; it is a major financial, transport and medical hub. Crime is low, and Transparency International consistently rates it as one of the least corrupt countries in the world.

Practices such as the restrictions on chewing gum and heavy fines for littering, spitting, and not flushing of public toilets have led some to label Singapore a "nanny state". National service is mandatory for Singaporean men and male children of permanent residents. Even though it has not been engaged in any military conflict, the Singapore Armed Forces maintains a 100,000-strong active force and 350,000-strong reserve force. Singapore has relatively warm relations with Malaysia especially since the recent changes of leadership in both countries. However, disputes still exist over issues such as the sale of water and territorial claims over the small Pedra Branca rock formation.

Explore this "Crossroads of Asia" from the fashionable shops of Orchard Road to the beguiling Botanical Gardens.

Chinatown
Modern high-rises tower over Chinatown’s old streets and alleys. Explore the maze of awning-draped shops and market stalls on foot.

Sri Mariamman Temple
Built in 1827 by early settlers from India, Sri Mariamman is thought to be the oldest Hindu temple in the city.

Botanical Gardens
Explore a portion of the 129-acre gardens which boast over 12,000 orchids, including Singapore’s native "Vanda Miss Joaqium" orchid and a lilac-tinged orchid - the "Jane Denny" - named after the gardens’ four-millionth visitor.


Mount Faber
The second-highest point in Singapore provides panoramic views of the harbor, Sentosa Island and the downtown district.
 

The Marriott Singapore is located in the heart of Singapore's business, entertainment and shopping district at the corner of Orchard Road and Scotts Road. The financial district is three miles away and the Orchard Road Mass Rapid Transit/MRT station is directly connected to the hotel linking it with all parts of the island.

320 Orchard Road
Singapore  238865
Telephone: INT+65-6299-6007

Fluke South East Asia Pte Ltd
60 Alexandra Terrace
#03-16 The Comtech (Lobby D)
Singapore 118502
Telephone: 65 6799-5566

Cathay Pacific Airways