OCTOBER 16, 2000 VOL. 156 NO. 15

TRAVEL WATCH Check Into the Past at One of Asia's Grand Hotels There's something to be said about a hotel that perfectly captures a bygone era, while providing modern creature comforts Hot Deals Zegrahm Expeditions is offering something a bit wilder Hot Spot Bintan Island is officially part of Indonesia, but you can also think of it as Singapore's backyard playground Kitsch Report A captured mountain hideout of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf as a tourist attraction? Web Crawling This website is a good guide for travelers who need information about Japan's traditional inns, or ryokan Detour One of the most extensive collections of Nepal's architectural heritage Travel Watch Archive: Browse hundreds of Asian travel tips

Hot Deals

Expeditious Adventure
On most cruises, the most exciting challenge involves surviving indigestion after the lunch buffet. So Zegrahm Expeditions is offering something a bit wilder. Starting in April, the 120-passenger Clipper Odyssey will way anchor and leave Singapore for an intriguing 16-day journey to the islands of the Philippines. (Cost: $7,990.) The boat will chart a course through the Bunaken National Marine Park to study the local undersea life: hawksbill turtles, sea stars, sea lilies. Along the way, divers can explore World War II shipwrecks in Subic Bay and whale sharks at Donsol. For those who prefer terra firma, the cruise will offer sidetrips ashore, including a drive through the Chocolate Hills of Bohol. Tel: (1-206) 285-4000.

Fair Fare
Travelers heading from Hong Kong to Las Vegas, Seattle, Los Angeles or San Francisco can cash in on a great deal from Northwest Airlines. Until Dec. 15, Thomas Cook is selling round-trip, economy class tickets for $533. Tel: (852) 2853-9933.

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