Natural Treasures of Indonesia, Borneo & Taiwan

Your ultra-luxury exploration of Japan’s southern islands begins today in the historical Taiwanese city of Keelung (Taipei). Be warmly greeted on board Scenic Eclipse II with a glass of Champagne. Then, take some time to settle into your luxurious verandah suite, test out the Scenic Slumber bed and pick the perfect pillow from the plush pillow menu. Your personal butler will be on hand to assist you if you have any questions. Make your way up to the Sky Bar on Deck 10 for a sail away cocktail with stunning views. Please book your flight to arrive into Taipei prior to 02:00 PM.

Enjoy a relaxed morning on board today as Scenic Eclipse II arrives in port at midday. The city of Hualien sits on the east coast of the island of Taiwan, famed for its beautiful coastline. It’s the gateway to Taroko Gorge National Park, one of Taiwan’s most famous sites.  The landscape of Taroko Gorge has been formed by the great forces of nature, from typhoons and earthquakes to millions of years of erosion. Today, it is a patchwork of marble gorges, bright blue rivers and pockets of untouched forest. There are challenging trails for experienced hikers or gentler routes that take you past ancient temples, tumbling waterfalls and hidden caves. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the most spectacular moments. 

Today is yours to do as much or as little as you want. Perhaps you’d like to take things slowly, starting with breakfast brought to your suite by your butler, enjoyed on the verandah as the emerald-green coastline of Sulawesi slips by outside. Or you could start the day with an invigorating work out in the gym or a class in the Yoga & Pilates studio.   Take some time to explore your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht, from the Sky Bar and outdoor Vitality Pool on the Sky Deck to the tranquil Senses Spa on Deck 6 with its steam rooms, saunas, plunge pool and KLAFS Salt Therapy Lounge. Stop for a coffee or a cocktail at one of the nine bars and lounges on board, or curl up with a good book in the library of the Observation Lounge. Be sure to check the daily program to see what lectures or discussions the Discovery Team are running and learn more about upcoming ports, wildlife and activities on offer.

From one extreme to the other – welcome to the densely populated, high-rise city of Manila. The Philippine capital moves at a frenetic pace 24 hours a day, the streets jammed with cars and teeming with pedestrians. It’s a hub for commerce and business as well as shopping, dining, culture and luxury hotels. Take a deep breath and then decide what you’d like to see first.  If you’re interested in history, Manila’s is enticingly rich. The city was founded as a Spanish colony in the 16th century and soon become one of the New World’s main trading ports, earning it the name Pearl of the Orient. Wander the streets of the oldest district, the Intramuros, which covers around 50 blocks and is full of Spanish-era landmarks like Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral and the original walls that protected the city. Across the river, marvel at the ornate façade of the Basilica of San Sebastian, which is built entirely from prefabricated steel panels.  Scenic Eclipse II will be docked here overnight, so you will be able to experience some of Manila’s legendary nightlife after enjoying one of the up to 10 all-inclusive dining experiences on board. Alternatively, take a stroll along the Manila Baywalk to watch the sunset.

After a day stepping back in time, today you might like to discover modern Manila.   The city has a thriving contemporary art scene. You may be able to visit major museums, like the Metropolitan Museum of Manila and Pinto Art Museum, or hunt out the smaller galleries that have taken over abandoned warehouses and stately homes to transform them into edgy exhibition spaces. Discover works from up-and-coming Filipino artists or pieces from international artists who have come to the Philippines to be inspired.

Awake this morning in the middle of a magical place. El Nido sits on the northern edge of the Philippine Island of Palawan with the breathtaking Bacuit Archipelago rolling out into the ocean beyond. El Nido is a place that has to be seen to be believed, with its sun-kissed islands, towering marble cliffs, blindingly white beaches, rich green jungle and inviting tropical waters. Youll enjoy a picturesque spot as your Discovery Yacht stops at bay. Fitted with state-of-the-art GPS Dynamic Positioning system, Scenic Eclipse II is able to hold her position without dropping anchor on ecologically sensitive seabeds. Your cruise arrives here in April, which is the best time of year to ensure perfectly clear water for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. You’ll be completely immersed in this secluded paradise.

Make the most of another sea day indulging in the many exceptional dining experiences on board Scenic Eclipse. Start with breakfast al fresco at the Yacht Club (be sure to return later to visit the large gelato fridge). For lunch, Azure Bar & Café serves light meals, pizza and salads that are available for grazing throughout the day. Elements is the ship’s main restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, where the menu ranges from Italian to steak and seafood.     The selection of specialty restaurants on board allows you to dine around the world each night. Channel the spirit of Asia at Koko’s Asian Fusion; choose one of the sunken Japanese-style tables for an authentic ambience. Grab a seat at the bar at Sushi @ Koko’s to watch the chefs at work or enjoy the spectacle of teppanyaki-style dining inspired by the markets of Asia at Night Market @ Koko’s, an exclusive experience for just eight guests at a time. Journey to France at Lumière, a contemporary fine dining French restaurant replete with a luxe Champagne bar. 

Your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht will cross from Indonesia into Malaysia this morning, arriving at the city of Sandakan. Once the capital of British North Borneo, the city is today the gateway to the island’s incredible wildlife encounters. Some of the world’s most vulnerable and endangered animals live here in Borneo, and concerted conservation efforts have worked hard to turn the tide.  The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre first began rescuing orphaned orangutans for almost 60 years. Today, around 60 to 80 orangutans live independently in the reserve and up to 25 babies live in the nursery. These large apes with their distinctive shaggy orange coats can be seen from an outdoor viewing platform set in the lush jungle, where they will arrive for their twice daily feeding, or you can watch the juveniles from the nursery in their last stages of rehabilitation. Nearby, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is committed to the protection of the world’s smallest bear. Found only in South East Asia, these bears are threatened by forest clearing and illegal hunt. Around 40 bears currently live at the centre, where you can see them living in their natural habitat. 

Sprinkled off the east coast of the island of Borneo, the Derawan Islands are made up of 31 islands, of which only four are accessible. Added to the World Heritage List in 2015, the archipelago is impossibly beautiful with turquoise seas, white sand beaches and waving palm trees. It’s also one of the region’s most biodiverse places, home to giant manta rays, whale sharks, dolphins, endangered sea turtles and hundreds of species of fish.  For a truly out-of-this-world experience, take a dip alongside rare stingless jellyfish in a natural lake on Kakaban Island. The four species found in the lake – moon jellyfish, upside down jellyfish, spotted jellyfish and box jellyfish – normally have stingers, but have lost the ability over time because they have been isolated from predators. Kakaban Lake is one of only two places on earth where this phenomenon has been recorded. The jellyfish are practically tame and swimming amongst their translucent forms is something you’ll never forget. 

After a couple of active days on shore, today would be a good time for some relaxation. The indulgent Senses Spa awaits on Deck 6. With expansive 550m2, the spa is unlike anything you’ve experience at sea. Inside this luxurious retreat you can be pampered with a range of ESPA treatments^ including massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, as well as alternative therapies like Tibetan bowl sound healing. Relax in the Vitality plunge pool on the Senses Spa Pool Deck or warm up in the exclusive KLAFS Salt Therapy Lounge, where the heated beds have naturally purifying properties. You’ll also find saunas, steam rooms, therapeutic pressure showers, and a hair and beauty salon within the spa complex.  If you’re feeling more energetic, the state-of-the-art gym is fully equipped for cardio workouts and strength conditioning – all with a spectacular view of the ocean. The Yoga & Pilates Studio is the only of its kind at sea, offering traditional yoga and Pilates classes, plus aerial yoga (using silk hammocks strung from the ceiling), TRX and mindfulness meditation. 

After days of remote archipelagos and relaxed cruising at sea,  Scenic Eclipse II will arrive in Makassar, the largest city in eastern Indonesia, a bustling and gritty metropolis that clings to the south-western tip of Sulawesi island. For centuries, Makassar was the global gateway to Indonesia, or the Dutch East Indies as it was then known. It has remained a vital port, with vast container ships and freighters from around the globe calling here every day. Makassar has long been a diverse, multicultural city, with a population of local Makassarese, Bugis people indigenous to Sulawesi and a large Chinese contingent.  The city itself has few charms, but the surrounding countryside is the real attraction. The limestone karst mountain ranges of nearby Rammang Rammang look as though they have been pulled from the time of the dinosaurs. These ancient peaks, formed by erosion over millions of years, are covered in thick green foliage and interwoven by tranquil waterways. A handful of traditional villages are dotted throughout the area, where the people have been tending their rice paddies the same way for generations. 

This will be your last full day at sea, cruising north through the waters of the South China Sea. On board Scenic Eclipse II, there are endless ways to practice the art of total relaxation. First, to take a moment to yourself in your luxuriously-appointed suite. Each of Scenic Eclipse’s 114 suites cocoons you with the comforts of a 6-star hotel. The design throughout is elegant and spacious, with floor to ceiling glass windows that make the most of the ever-changing views. Your butler is on call at all times and can bring morning coffee, afternoon tea or cocktails to enjoy on your private verandah while marvelling at coastal scenery or ocean wildlife. Then enjoy some rest or watch a movie from the comfort of your signature Scenic Slumber Bed. When you’re ready to venture out, watch the world slip by as you relax in a cabana on Deck 10, before taking a dip in the pool with a refreshing drink in hand. Read a book in the Observation Lounge library or take one with you and find the hanging egg chairs on Deck 7.

Arrive this morning in the town of Palopo, on the island of Sulawesi. The third largest town on the island, Palopo was founded around 1620 by the Muslim ruler Sultan Abdullah Muhiddin. The city’s first mosque, Masjid Jami, was built during his reign and still stands along one of its main streets.  Palopo is the gateway to the lush highlands of Tana Toraja, home to one of Indonesia’s most exotic and mysterious ethnic groups. Tucked into a valley beneath the green peaks of the Wallacea mountain range, the villages are clustered around elaborately carved and painted houses with distinctive boat-shaped roofs. A visit to Tana Toraja will give you an insight into an ancient and intriguing culture that’s unique to this part of the earth.

A world of wonder awaits beneath the surface in the Taka Bonerate National Park. Stretching into the Flores Sea, south of Sulawesi, the park covers more than half a million hectares and includes an atoll of 28 islands, the third largest coral atoll in the world. In 2015, it was recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for its incredible variety of marine life including fish, turtles, dolphins, whales and birds. You’ll cruise right through the heart of this abundance of natural life; be sure to grab your in-suite binoculars or head to the Observation Lounge to look through the Swarovski telescopes.  Scenic Eclipse, the World’s First Discovery Yachts use GPS Dynamic Positioning, which allows the ship to maintain position without the use of an anchor, protecting this sensitive ecosystem.    In this remote outpost, the captain will find a calm spot to stop for swimming, snorkelling and other water sports. Slip into the warm, crystal-clear waters and feel the cares of the world wash away. 

This is a momentous day for all those aboard Scenic Eclipse II, cruising into one of the world’s great natural treasures. Today come face to face with the eponymous species of giant lizard that has been roaming these forests for millions of years.  Stretching up to three metres in length and weighing over 150kg, the Komodo dragon is a lizard unlike any other. It lives on just a handful of islands in the Indonesian archipelago, with the majority found on Komodo Island.   Board Scenic Eclipse II again at midday to cruise around the island to the famous Pink Beach. The soft sand is coloured pink by finely crushed pieces of coral and shells, just one of seven pink beaches found anywhere in the world. The turquoise water that laps the shoreline makes for a striking contrast. Beneath the surface, the wonders continue with hundreds of species of coral and an abundance of fish.

Sailing overnight, Scenic Eclipse II will arrive at the port of Badas on Sumbawa Island this morning. Order your breakfast to your room and get ready for sights to behold. Though it is close to Bali and Lombok, Sumbawa has yet to be discovered by tourists and retains its strong cultural identity. The few who do venture here come mostly for the epic surf, spectacular reefs and wild terrain, and there’s plenty to satisfy a taste for adventure.  The island of Sulawesi sits directly north of Sumbawa and its local Makassarese culture has had a strong influence on the island. You can tour a village where you’ll see centuries-old traditional cultures still in practice, like rice pounding and weaving. 

Arrive at your final port this morning, Bali, the Island of the Gods. It’s just one of more than 18,000 islands that make up the country of Indonesia, but it’s long been a favoured destination for Australian travellers. Spectacularly beautiful, culturally diverse and brimming with luxury, Bali is truly a little piece of paradise.   Scenic Eclipse II will dock off the coast of Benoa, a peninsula on the southern edge of the island. Farewell your fellow guests and crew before you depart, taking with you memories of exotic islands, fascinating cultures and unparalleled 6-star indulgence.  Please book your flight to depart out of Denpasar after 12:00 PM. The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the cruise will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.