We had a wonderful time in Asia first in Beijing and then on the Atlantis Asian Cruise. Here are some photos of the highlights of our voyage.

We Stayed at the Fabulous Peninsula Hotel in Beijing. The Deal We Got Through Our Membership in Travel Leaders Made It Affordable

And They Upgraded Us To a Penthouse Duplex Suite (Lower Level Living Room)

Upper Level Bedroom Area of the Suite

And The Spacious Bathroom With Separate Shower

We Had a Private Tour of the Forbidden City

Colorfully Dressed Locals in Beijing

The Temples and Statues at the Forbidden City Were Impressive

We Made It to the Great Wall and Were Up to the Challenge to Climb It

The Hong Kong Skyline from our Ferry As Part of A Private Culinary Tour

There Were Colorful and Spiritual Temples In the Middle of the City of Hong Kong

We Were Unable to Get Completely Away from American Politics

Our Purple Light Group Was Excited to Be on the Cruise Ship for the Sail Away Party

The Port of Keelung, Taiwan Was Charming

The Chiang Kai Shek Memorial In Taiwan

We Only Needed to Do Number 1, So the Taiwanese Toilets Suited Us

Picturesque Temple In Taipei

Tasty Offerings For the Gods Left at the Temple

Watching the Dumplings Being Made Was Almost As Fun as Eating Them

Not Great Weather, but Shanghai Looked Like An Impressionist Painting in the Rain

Even the Plastic Sushi Displays Looked Good in Japan

Kochi Castle Was One of Several Impressive Castles We Saw In Japan

Visiting the Famous Bamboo Forest in Kyoto Was a Highlight

As Was Seeing Kyoto’s Famous Golden Temple

We Weren’t the Only Ones Monkeying Around in Kyoto (as we spent some time in their Monkey Park)

Charming Canal Boats in Kyoto

Osaka (the Gateway to Kyoto) Was Itself Interesting With Restaurants and Shopping as Well as Its Own Castle

Osaka Gets Even More Interesting By Night

There Were Several Fun Parties on the Ship. Here We Prepare our “Kill Bill” Costumes for the Characters Party

We Had A Clear Day for the Tokyo Pride Parade

The Tokyo Tower and Controversial Head of Beer Sculpture (aka: The Poop Sculpture)

Our Tokyo Hotel Room Was Also A Great Value Due to Travel Leaders

We Had A Wonderful Private Tour of LGBT Tokyo Past and Present. This is a Gay Bar, But You Wouldn’t Know It

Our LGBT Tour Included Seeing One of Tokyo’s “Love Hotels” Where Reservations Are Under the Japanese Equivalent of Smith

About the Author

Jonathan Geen is the President of Purple Light Vacations. He received his travel agent certification from Career Quest and has also been awarded the designation of Elite Cruise Counselor, (the highest certification), by the Cruise Line International Association. He is a member of the Travel Leaders consortium and the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). He graduated from ASTA's advanced travel advisor certification program and is an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor. He is proud that his company offers added value at no cost to all travelers. Travel in the Know Wherever You Go!