cruise
Clockwise from right: A typical market in Bali selling fruits and vegetables; grounds of the Saraswati Temple in Bali, Indonesia; Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, Philippines; A! young orangutan at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Malaysia including the famed Losari Beach, which is easily accessible from the port and a preferred spot for sunsets, strolls and seafood. There’ s also the 17th-century Fort Rotterdam, which was built on the site of a Gowanese fort to defend the city from hostile ships, and offers prime views across the Makassar Strait.
Venture further afield for a taste of local island architecture at the Balla Lompoa Museum, which is raised on six-foot ironwood stilts and is an exceptional example of the traditional craftsmanship of past artisans. Alternatively, watch working fishing vessels offloading the catch of the day at Paotere Harbor, located three miles north of the city center. For snorkeling and scuba diving, retreat to the tiny island of Samalona, where bleached white sand melts into waters teeming with tropical marine life and coral reefs.
SANDAKAN( SABAH), MALAYSIA
Flora and fauna commands much of the landscape around Sandakan— a port in Sabah, the easternmost state in Malaysia. Conservation is the focus at nearby Turtle Islands Park, dedicated to the protection of turtles and their hatchlings. There’ s also the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where visitors can engage with and support the conservation of these gentle giants, who are able to relearn crucial survival skills in the semi-wild environment. More endemic species can be found around the Kinabatangan River, including proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants and various species of birds.
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