Yangon to Singapore - Glimpses of Lost Myanmar

By Wilson Lau
Special to The Post

As a first-timer to small ship expedition cruising, I had a fabulous experience exploring the remarkable coastline of Myanmar, the Marine Parks of Thailand and the colonial towns of Malaysia. Coral Expeditions, with over 30 years of experience, is Australia’s pioneering cruise line with a strong focus on visiting remote places rarely visited by larger cruise ships.

In its inaugural season in Southeast Asia, this 12-night cruise started off in Yangon, Myanmar with a visit to the majestic Shwedagon Pagoda and a walking tour of Yangon and the local market. I then sailed to Mawlamyine for a sunset view at the spectacular Santawshin Pagoda overlooking the city and a visit to the Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery and the WWII Death Railway Museum.
Other stops along the way include a visit to the port town of Myeik to explore the town and thriving market, tours of Lampi Marine Park and the Moken village of Makyone Galet to learn about the lives of the sea gypsies and other locals who inhabit the island.
Two days were spent exploring the deserted islands in the Mergui Archipelago, with opportunities to swim, snorkel, kayak and experience the amazing diversity of flora and fauna and the varied marine life in the unspoiled region. After leaving Myanmar, Ao Nang, Thailand was the base to experience Thai village life, try my hand at Thai cooking and watch a Thai kick boxing demonstration.

Water activities were the order of the day at Tarutao National Marine Park with breath-taking views of the limestone karsts of the Andaman Sea on kayaks and Zodiacs. The first stop in Malaysia was Pulau

Pangkor, with visits to the Fu Lin Kong Chinese Temple, a local fish factory and a boat-building factory,

followed by a delicious seafood hotpot on the white, sandy beach. A visit to the colonial city of Melaka included a walking and trishaw city tour, and a visit to the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum.
I parted ways with my newfound friends in Singapore.

Daily excursions were all-inclusive and led by experienced Expedition Leaders and local guides who have a wealth of knowledge and expertise of the region. Activities were carefully planned according to prevailing weather and local conditions. They were complemented by a guest lecturer and a marine biologist, who are experts in the geology, history, and flora and fauna of the regions visited.
They accompanied guests on daily excursions and gave lectures in history, culture and marine life, as well as provided photo recaps of the days’ events.

Shore excursions were enjoyable, comfortably-paced and designed to promote local interaction and cultural exchange. The smaller ship size with shallow draught allows passengers to reach places that the larger vessels cannot. The ship carries the “Xplorer”, a small tender vessel which is capable of carrying all 72 passengers. It allows passengers to walk straight onto the vessel off the main deck and is hydraulically lowered for quick and easy transfer to onshore excursions.

The Coral Discoverer accommodates up to 72 guests in spacious staterooms. There are plenty of open-deck spaces and lounge areas for the comfort of guests. The ship was refurbished in November 2016 and refitted with a covered Sun Deck area, perfect for pre-dinner drinks, meals and enjoying the spectacular sunrise and sunset views. There is an open bridge policy, allowing guests to observe ship operations and have a chat with the captain. The atmosphere on board is casual and relaxed. The dining room offers informal, open seat dining, allowing you to dine with old or new friends. Food is prepared in small batches and was fresh, varied and plentiful. House beer and wine are complimentary with lunch and dinner, and there is 24-hour access to tea and coffee.

The amenities, dining choices and entertainment on board are few and limited compared to the large cruise ships. However, small ship cruising offers a more intimate and personalized experience, with the focus being on shore excursions to unique destinations off the beaten path. The excursions often focus on the history and culture of a region, allowing passengers to immerse themselves in the surroundings and to learn more about places that mega-sized ships cannot visit.

For more information about Coral Expeditions Cruise Line, please visit www.coralexpeditions.com

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