South China Sea Collection (#6)

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica menzbieri) adult, non-breeding plumage, walking on tidal mudflat, Mai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, China, September

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) adult, in flight, landing in wetland, Mai Po Marshes Reserve, New Territories, Hong Kong, China, May

Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) immature, in flight, Mai Po Marshes Reserve, New Territories, Hong Kong, China, December

Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus) adult, partial breeding plumage, with invertebrate prey in beak, feeding on mudflats, Mai Po Marshes Reserve, Deep Bay, New Territories, Hong Kong, China

Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis) adult, breeding plumage, walking on mud, Mai Po Marshes Reserve, Deep Bay, New Territories, Hong Kong, China, May

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa melanuroides), Great Knot (Calidris teniurostris), Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and Eurasian Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta) mixed flock

Great White Egret (Ardea alba modesta) Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis) mixed flock, standing in wetland habitat, Mai Po Marshes Reserve, Deep Bay

Fishing boats in Pattaya City, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

Fishing boat in Nathon City, Koh Samui Island, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

The beach of El Nido at sunset, Bacuit Archipelago, Palawan, Philippines, Southeast Asia, Asia

Outrigger boat at sunset in the bay of El Nido, Bacuit Archipelago, Palawan, Philippines, Southeast Asia, Asia

Dramatic sunset light over the bay of El Nido, Bacuit Archipelago, Palawan, Philippines, Southeast Asia, Asia

Outrigger at sunset in the bay of El Nido, Bacuit Archipelago, Palawan, Philippines, Southeast Asia, Asia

The bay of El Nido with outrigger boats, Bacuit Archipelago, Palawan, Philippines, Southeast Asia, Asia

Turbinellid sea snail shell C019 / 1308
Turbinellid sea snail shell. Shell of a turbinellid sea snail (Columbarium pagoda). This species of marine gastropod mollusc is found in the South China Sea. This specimen measures 64mm long

Singapore Strait shipping traffic. View across the deck of a container ship towards numerous other ships in the Singapore Strait

Tibet, China, relief map
Tibet, China. North is at top. Relief map compiled from satellite data, showing the Tibet Autonomous Region (Tibet, yellow) and the surrounding Chinese provinces and regions (grey)

Kyushu, Japan, satellite image
Kyushu, Japan. North is at top. Natural colour satellite image showing the island of Kyushu, Japan, with the surrounding regions shaded out. Japan is an island nation in East Asia

Hainan, China, satellite image
Hainan, China. North is at top. Natural colour satellite image showing Hainan Island off the coast of China (top). Hainan is located in the South China Sea (blue)

Tibet, China, satellite image
Tibet, satellite image. North is at top. Natural colour satellite image showing the Tibet Autonomous Region (Tibet), with the surrounding Chinese provinces and regions shaded out

Great frigatebird (Fregata minor) - male GALAPAGOS ISLANDS ECUADOR South America Breed on Genovesa (Tower), Seymour and San Cristobal Islands in the Galapagos

CHINA, Hong Kong. Wanchai and Central Skyline from Stubbs Road overlook

CHINA, Hong Kong. Central, Star Ferry and Victoria Harbour

CHINA, Hong Kong. Central, and Star Ferry Pier, morning

CHINA, Hong Kong. Central Hong Kong and Two International Financial Centre building (2IFC) from Victoria Harbour, morning

Tu Do Tham Quan pagoda in Hoi An, Vietnam

Boat on the Thu Bon River near Hoi An, Vietnam

Trieu Chau Assembly Hall in Hoi An, Vietnam

Bridge crossing the Thu Bon River at Hoi An, Vietnam

Boats on the Thu Bon River at Hoi An, Vietnam

Colorful silk lanterns being sold in Hoi An, Vietnam

Vietnamese farmers tend to a rice paddy near Hoi An, Vietnam

Arched entrance to the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall in Hoi An, Vietnam

Large incense coils hang from the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall in Hoi An, Vietnam

Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese congregation in Hoi An, Vietnam

Woven boats and baskets on China Beach near the port city of Da Nang, Vietnam

Three bungalows, Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia

Gas platform support tower. View looking up through the steel lattice of a gas platform support tower. The structure is known as a jacket. Photographed off Brunei

Aerial ropeway, Vietnam
Aerial ropeway. At 320-metres-long the Vinpearl aerial ropeway is the longest above-the-sea aerial ropeway in the world. An aerial ropeway is essentially a gondola used to transport goods rather than

China, satellite image. North is at top. Green areas are vegetated, brown are desert and white are snow-covered. China is the worlds most populous country

Mekong River Delta, satellite image. This delta is where the Mekong River flows into the South China Sea, on the southern coast of Vietnam

GASI2A-00005
Map of Asia, circa 1870. Printed color lithograph, 19th century

Beach near Jerudona, Brunei, Borneo, South China Sea, Asia

Circular Spadefish / Batfish (Platax orbicularis) Shoal. Barracuda Point, Sipadan Island, Borneo, Malaysia. (RR)
Alan James / SplashdownDirect

(chromodoris willani) nudibranch with pale blue with dark blue stripes and blue freckled gills, Mabul, Borneo
Lawson Wood / SplashdownDirect

Magnificent Nudibranch (Chromodoris magnifica), superb orange, black & white markings viewd from ablique angle, Mabul
Lawson Wood / SplashdownDirect

(Chromodoris kuniei) Nidibranch with superb colour markings of purple spots on a cream mantle with purple trim
Lawson Wood / SplashdownDirect

(Nembrotha spp. ), detail of nudibranch with dark blue / green skin and brilliant blue markings, Mabul, Borneo
Lawson Wood / SplashdownDirect

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The South China Sea, a breathtaking expanse of turquoise waters and hidden treasures, holds countless stories within its depths. From the towering rock formations of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vietnam, to the pristine beaches of Borneo's Sabah region in Malaysia, this region is a paradise for adventurers. In the annals of history, tales emerge like that of the brave merchant ship attacked by Chinese pirates off these treacherous shores. The year was 1898 when A Hansen, first officer on the Knivsberg, faced danger head-on and lived to tell his harrowing tale. Not far from Da Nang lies a leper colony village nestled along the South China Sea. Here, amidst stunning vistas and resilient spirits, lives are rebuilt with hope and compassion. Traveling back in time to Sumatra during the 1800s reveals an era where trade routes thrived along these waters. Merchants sailed through this maritime crossroads connecting diverse cultures and exchanging goods that shaped Southeast Asia's rich heritage. Further south lies Thailand's Gulf of Thailand on Ko Samui island - a tropical haven where azure waves meet golden sands. Relaxation takes hold as you immerse yourself in nature's embrace. Venturing westward brings us to Palawan in the Philippines - home to Coron Island within the Calamian archipelago. Its crystal-clear waters beckon explorers seeking underwater wonders while El Nido Bay offers tranquility aboard outrigger boats amidst Bacuit Archipelago’s limestone cliffs. Beneath these enchanting seas lie vibrant coral reefs teeming with life; Gorgonian Seafan Coral polyps open their delicate arms at nightfall to feed upon passing nutrients brought by ocean currents – an awe-inspiring sight indeed. Finally, we find ourselves on Pulau Tioman (Tioman Island) off Malaysia's Pahang coast - specifically Berjaya Beach at Berjaya Tioman Resort.