Insider's Choice: Empires of the East

Asia is an amazingly vibrant part of the world in which to live: rich in cultures, ancient histories, fabulously varied cuisines, and wildlife. Not all of us are fortunate enough to call Asia home, but our Empires of the East voyage offers a fantastic introduction to, and cross section of, this huge region, while enjoying the comforts of our intimate floating hotel, the Clipper Odyssey.

Arriving into Hong Kong provides a feast for the senses; where to begin? With a staggeringly varied cuisine to tempt almost any palate, our metaphoric meal begins with an array of tempting flavors and aromas, morsels and tidbits. The feast continues with a visually arresting architectural extravaganza of tall buildings dominating the skyline. Art and architecture, fashion and food are all part of the Asian feast that is Hong Kong. But no meal is complete without concluding dessert; though most expect Hong Kong to be all hustle and bustle, there is nature here too. The delightful sounds of forest birds at Tai Po Kau and an array of migrant shorebirds at the world-famous Mai Po marshes reserve are a surprising treat.

The coastline of East Asia is a cradle of ancient and modern civilization, a terminus of the fabled Silk Road, with some of the world’s most dramatic cities combining great commerce and great wealth with a tremendous cultural and historical legacy. The very finest art of the ancient Chinese Empire is gathered in the spectacular National Palace Museum in Taiwan’s great city of Taipei, while Japan’s flowering culture awaits us in the ancient and refined Kyoto.

A crossroads of traditional and enduring cultures, a flyway for migrant birds, and a lushness of sub-tropical flora all combine to make this an extraordinary region to visit. Island hopping from Taiwan to the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom of southwest Japan gives us a unique perspective on the isolation that has driven cultural and biological diversity in this region. Taiwan, and the southwest islands of Japan, harbor various endemic birds to excite the palate of any naturalist, while sublime Kyoto, with its serene Zen stone gardens, it’s quiet and contemplative temples, and it’s gracious people, make a fitting finale for an Asian extravaganza.

And yes, if you haven’t already guessed, I live in East Asia (and love it).

Join naturalist Mark Brazil, as well as our cultural experts on our Empires of the East voyage. Mark is the author of the recently published Field Guide to the Birds of East Asia.