Action Asia - February-March 2018

30 

— March/April 2018

CHINA

Taking tea afloat

NOWHERE HOLDS TEA IN GREATER

reverence than China, where drinking tea has

been elevated to something of an art form.

Aboard the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer,

you get to sip some of China’s finest at tea

ceremonies while sailing past the landscapes of

the breathtaking Three Gorges Reservoir region

of the mighty Yangtze.

Guests can choose from a variety of

activities including excursions to history-steeped

cities, Daoist temples and the ancient Fengdu

Ghost City, while onboard trying their hand at

acupuncture, reflexology, dumpling-making and

calligraphy classes.

Carrying 124 passengers,

the Sanctuary Yangzi

Explorer features large cabins

and suites all with private

balconies. Other facilities

such as a la carte dining, a

luxury spa, an observation

deck, a two-f loor theatre,

library, and beauty centre

and gym are also available.

The yacht sails regularly from mid-March

through to mid-November, with three and

four-night cruises starting from US$1,235 per

person. For more information, visit http://www.sanc-

tuaryretreats.com

MALDIVES

Skate on the beach

FOR THE ULTIMATE IN CONTRARIANISM,

what about an eco-friendly winter wonderland

in the Maldives? Jumeirah Vittaveli has built the

first ice rink in the Indian Ocean, in partnership

with Glice, a company that manufactures

artificial ice plates.

Guests can take a dip in the blue ocean

waters, then step off the white sandy beach and

into a pair of skates to glide over the ice.

Find out more about the rink and the more

conventional attractions at http://www.jumeirah.com

TAIWAN

Taking the helm

LEARNING HOW TO READ NAUTICAL

charts, taking charge of the helm and trimming

the sails... if that sounds like your thing, the

Sail to Taiwan Programme by Outward Bound

Hong Kong could be the blue-water experience

for you.

Onboard the Spirit of Outward Bound Hong

Kong, a Challenge 67 racing yacht that has twice

circumnavigated the globe, you embark on an

eight-day offshore voyage through the sometime-

rough waters of the Taiwan Strait. it promises

to be a hands-on experience where participants

develop skills essential to life under sail:

knot-tying, adjusting sailing trim and navigation,

all facilitated by an attentive staff.

With a length of 20m, the yacht has six

THAILAND

Land and sea

at once

THE AMPHIBIAN PACKAGE – OFFERED

by Phuket’s resort The Slate – combines active

ocean excursions with land-based activities in a

three-day/two night package.

Located just a stone’s throw from Nai Yang

beach, and surrounded by Sirinat National Park,

The Slate has Seabees Diving Centre on the

property grounds to provide snorkelling trips

or diving expeditions out to the marine life and

vibrant corals the Andaman Sea is renowned

for. A little closer to shore, options include body-

and wave-boarding, and kayaking.

On land, culture enthusiasts can enjoy a

morning excursion to meet local Nai Yang monks

at temple, or adventurers can go for an off-site

mountain biking trip. Other choices include

fitness classes like kickboxing and Muay Thai, as

well as private sunrise yoga and tennis lessons.

See http://www.theslatephuket.com for more.

cabins including two two-berth cabins for up

to four would-be mariners. The course costs

US$1,853 (HK$14,500) per person and will take

place from March 30-April 6.

For details, visit http://www.outwardbound.org.hk