Cruise Along the Coast of Asia
A vibrant nightlife thrives in a harbor on the coast of Thailand. The locals have laid out a small bazaar selling everything from clothing to food to fish to knock off DVDs. This is just a small sample of the lifestyle one encounters while sailing along the coasts of Asia. Thailand harbor’s will lend a different experience than docking at a harbor in the Philippines or India. Come sail along the coastlines of Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, and India and be immersed in many of their exclusive customs.
Thailand and it’s many islands have a warm tropical climate and lovely white sands to welcome sailors. These waters draw people year round, partly due to to the renowned friendliness of the Thai people, and of course the year round cruising possibilities. There are many divers who visit these waters for the magnificent coral reefs off the shore. It is impossible to have an empty stomach, as Thai cuisine has a wide variety, or be idle for a moment. Of course the must-see city is Bangkok, where the Thai identity is still visible beneath the modern guise of the bustling metropolis.
Indonesia has so many islands that there is not any official count as to exactly how many islands. However the range is within 13,000 to 17,000 individual islands. With all these numerous islands, it is conceivable to sail and discover an untouched landscape and coral reefs thriving with life. For the avid surfers, drop boat anchor in Flores or Lombok. An ideal surfing location is Sumatra. The infamous Komodo dragons have a home in Komodo. For a taste of the city life, the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta is the most populated city in Southeast Asia.
In Vietnam, the first place to visit is Halong Bay. The limestone islands on the north coast are exactly the type of breathtaking backdrops to sail a boat alongside of. These massive pinnacles, which also go by karsts, have stirred many local legends, mythology, and poetry. For lush beaches visit Nha Trang and hang out with the fish in the waters ideal for snorkeling. Enjoy the sun set over the horizon, lighting up the limestone in radiant warm colors, while sitting on a sailboat.
One of the lesser visited destinations of Southeast Asia, the Philippines boasts over 7,107 islands laid out on 1000 km of turquoise waters. Most of these islands have sandy beaches and volcanic mountains. Visit the island of Puerto Galera for some of the best beaches. Anchorages in Cebu and its neighboring islands are supposed to be some of the best. Most visitors to this island archipelago stop by the country’s capital, Manila. If one happens to find themselves on Roxas Boulevard, be sure to view the sunset. Glimpses of Spanish culture are fused into the architecture and lifestyle prevalent among its people.
If time allows it is decidedly rewarding to sail along the coastlines of India. There are over 560 miles of interconnected waterway in the region of Kerala. One could view the entire natural habitat all from the comfort of a boat as it travels in rivers, lakes, and inlets. The waters off the main coast are abundant with sea turtles and fish. The coral reefs are in close proximity, ideal for snorkeling and diving. The coastlines are well developed but there are over 500 islands of the archipelago of Andaman or Nicobar which are well isolated.
While sailing along the coasts of these Asian Countries, there is a cultural diffusion, and broadening of experiences such as fishing, diving, snorkeling, and of course fine cuisine. There is a collection of so many islands of different countries in such proximity. The sun rises over a placid Pacific Ocean as a cool breeze whips through the air, catching the sails, propelling sailors into the fascinating unknown.
