Cipper Cruising

You can’t get much greener than a sailing ship especially one that has been converted into a 5 Star luxury cruise liner. Sails and cruise ships are we being serious here? I have been lucky enough to go on Royal Clipper, the flagship of Star Clippers.

With their teak-lined decks and billowing white sails, luxurious amenities, gourmet cuisine, exceptional service and with only 150 to 300 guests on board these vessels allow clients to soak up the ambience of almost owning their own private yacht. The real beauty of these ships however is that because the vessels are smaller than conventional cruise ships they can call into ports untouched by larger craft.

You're not leaving the comforts and safety of traditional cruising, most ships have engines and stabilisers, and they will be visiting places that are not going to be swamped by large numbers and at the same time are helping small, local communities.

Star Clippers are renowned worldwide for their service and the experience they offer their passengers of comfortable, crewed sailing on traditional clipper ships, built to uncompromising yacht safety, with the elegant surroundings of a private yacht of a bygone age. At the present time the company has three ships in their fleet and all are modern, high-tech, re-creations of the classic clipper sailing ships that dominated the oceans of the world in the 19th century.

Guests can sail in the far east, the Caribbean and what could be more swish than sailing in to Monaco harbour to watch the Grand Prix from the deck whist sipping a gin and tonic? The company even offers trans oceanic cruises when the ships are relocating for the summer season. In the middle of the Atlantic, with no light pollution, the stargazing is spectacular, with the Milky Way clearly visible. Have a nice day now.

Hong Kong - not what you think

One always imagines Hong Kong as one of the most densely populated places on earth and indeed the city itself and its near neighbour Kowloon are just that, but the rest of the area consists of wild mountainous terrain and marsh land and some 235 islands to explore.

Of these island only a very tiny number are inhabited due to the lack of freshwater and that again leaves great possibilities for the walker and outdoor enthusiast. There are also excellent public and private transport links to take you to some of the remoter areas plus nearly everyone speaks English and is desperate to please. Honk Kong may be a millionaire’s playground but the walker and outdoor enthusiast will also have a great time.

The New Territories are separated from the urban sprawl of Kowloon by the Lion Mountains and one of the delights of this area is the archipelago of small islands that you can visit on an “Island Hopping tour.” These islands are virtually untouched by tourism and you can get superb walks on them. One of the delights of Hong Kong are the birds and all the way on this trip you are accompanied by Giant Egrets dazzling white against the sun. Sea eagles sit on posts and Kingfishers the size of crows seems to be all around.

Pulling in at Tap Mun Island Crested Mynah birds flew around us in large flocks. Tap Mun Island has a small seafood restaurant” in fact it’s more like a local bar with Formica tables and basic amenities but the local beer is tremendous after an hour of walking around! A short walk is available here across to the other side of the island that gives you superb views all around.

This tour has been specifically designed for the person with an interest in nature and on Lai Chi Wao you can walk on a raised walkway through the mangrove forest to look at trees and plants clearly labeled. However the people here are also fascinating as they carry on a way of life that despite the marvels of the electronic age has changed little over the centuries.

Other islands to the south of Hong Kong Island should not be ignored. Lamma Island is just a forty minute ferry ride to the south of the city. No cars are allowed here and it has an easy 6km walk of some two hours with some of the most stunning scenery you will see anywhere. Cheung Chau Island, about an hour on the regular ferry, has a moderate walk of 7.5km. and will take you about 3 hours to complete.

Eco Adventure Cruising

The biggest growth area in the cruising world is without doubt the boutique eco adventure cruising sector. With their high adventure/expedition factor going to areas not usually visited by the bigger cruise lines they provide a superb opportunity to see wildlife up close. These ships come equipped with zodiac inflatables, rubber boats that can hold up to twelve or even sixteen people so guests can be landed on remote islands and shallow sandbanks and really get up close to the animals. You don’t have to be 100% fit or under 25 to do these trips either and most have them have five star comforts waiting for you when you get back on board.

The problem is with a specialist cruise operation such as this you need specialist ships. So much so that adventure companies will hire out ships that are suited to this genreThis may be expedition cruising but the clients still want a unique style of ultra-luxury sailing on some of the most sleek and highly innovative yachts to be found on the seas in modern times. Although each ship varies in their design and function, they all share a range of qualities, spacious and comfortable luxury, outside view cabins, ensuite facilities, fine cuisine, lecture rooms and/or lounges and numerous decks for viewing opportunities of sea mammals or birds.