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Itinerary: 14 Night Melanesia
Discovery Cruise Rabaul - Port Vila, departing Monday October
27, 2008
To view 15 night itinerary-
Noumea- Alotau-Cairns click here
Day 1: Rabaul, Duke of York Islands and Captain’s Welcome
Boarding Oceanic Discoverer at 2:00pm for a 3:00pm departure we join our
Expedition Leader and local guide to visit the nesting ground of the megapodes,
a native bird known for their amazing nests. This evening we join the Captain,
crew and travelling companions as we enjoy Welcome Cocktails as the sun sets
over the Duke of York Island.
Day 2: Lamassa ‘Ogres’ and Lambon Island This morning we board
Xplorer and make our way ashore at Lamassa for an unforgettable experience. We
are greeted by spear-wielding ogres – an enactment of the greeting of the first
Europeans to set foot on this land. Later we explore Lambon Island and its
perfect white, sandy jungle clad beach. Keep an eye out for the island’s bright
green skinks and beautiful Barringtonia flowers. The island offers fantastic
opportunities for swimming, snorkelling and SCUBA diving.
Day 3: Buka Island and Bougainville Travelling in the wake of
18th century French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville we sail the Coast of
Bougainville Island and embark on an expedition at the island of Buka.
Day 4: Shortland Islands Join our Expedition Leader and guides
on an expedition to the Shortland Islands, the northernmost islands in the
Solomon group. The Guest Lecturer will share his expert knowledge of the history
of the island and its occupation by the Japanese forces as a seaplane base
during World War II.
Day 5: Gizo Markets and Kennedy Island This morning we visit
Gizo, the small provincial capital of Ghizo Island. Explore the open air
markets, replete with artefacts and wood carvings or join a hike to the lookout
for panoramic views across the lagoon and islands. Keen birdwatchers should keep
an eye out for the white-bellied graybird, whiskered tree swift or colourful
lorikeets native to the remote Solomon Islands. Later, we board the Xplorer and
head ashore to tiny Kennedy Island, named in honour of John F Kennedy, who swam
ashore to the island with his crew after his boat PT-109 was sunk by a Japanese
destroyer during WWII.
Day 6: Russell Island and Snorkelling The Russell Islands are
a group of two main volcanic islands and over 70 small islets, partially covered
in coconut plantations. Join the Expedition Leader and Guest Lecturer aboard
Xplorer and travel ashore to explore the scenic coastline and impressive
caverns, some of which are even inhabited by crocodiles. Spectacular sections of
coral reef surround the island and we enjoy glass bottom boat cruises,
snorkelling and the opportunity to join the Dive Instructor for close up views
of this stunning reef.
Day 7: Iron Bottom Sound and Sandfly Passage Enjoy the day
cruising through Iron Bottom Sound and the Sandfly Passage - the site of many
intense World War II naval battles. We conduct exploratory stops and join the
Expedition Leader as we explore the multitude of islands and inlets through this
historic passage.
Day 8: Alite Harbour Village Entering Alite Harbour, we board
the Xplorer and travel ashore to meet our local hosts in this string of man made
islets, constructed centuries ago to protect the people of nearby Malaita from
the inland bushman. Known for trading shells as money, the village still uses
shells as the traditional currency for bride price and trade. Walking through
the friendly village we view demonstrations of traditional Melanesian cooking,
basket weaving and palm thatching.
Day 9: Santa Ana Island and Ancient Rainforests Santa Ana is
one of the most beautiful islands in the South Pacific. As we carefully make our
way through the reef entrance into the stunning lagoon, we prepare for a rousing
welcome from the local warriors bearing swords and blowing on conch shell horns.
Santa Ana is known for its bone fishhooks and imaginative fishing floats.
Following a demonstration of cultural dancing we join our local guides for a
pleasant walk through the rainforest, spotting colourful orchids, exotic plants
and birds. Alternatively, you may choose to join our Dive Instructor for a SCUBA
dive or snorkelling on the surrounding reef.
Day 10: Nendo Island and Snorkelling Nendo Island is our final
port of call in the Solomon Islands and an excellent location to view and
purchase quality handmade Melanesian artefacts. We enjoy cultural performances
and another opportunity to snorkel over the pristine coral reefs.
Day 11: Vanuatu and Ureparapara Island This morning we cruise
into tropical Vanuatu and enjoy a once in a lifetime experience. Imagine
cruising into the cone of a volcano surrounded on three sides by 300m cliffs.
This is Ureparapara Island, one of the most spectacular islands in the
archipelago. The only way to discover this unique island is by sea and visits
from cruise ships are rare. You will be entertained by the local people with a
“kastom” dance, and if time permits you may choose to join the Guest Lecturer
for a guided walk to the top of the caldera.
Day 12: Champagne Beach and Espiritu Santo Champagne Beach is
located on the largest island in Vanuatu, Espiritu Santo, affectionately know as
‘Santo’. The beach is without doubt the jewel of Vanuatu and is nature and water
lover’s playground. Enjoy optional tours to the fabled “Blue Hole”, bush
walking, in-water activities or simply relaxing on the white sands of this
magnificent beach.
Day 13: Ambrym Island Volcanoes and Black Magic Arriving at
Ambrym Island you immediately notice what makes this island so unique. It has
two active volcanoes, Mt Marum and Mt Benbow and is sometimes called Black
Island because of its black volcanic beach and its “black magic”. Ambrym is one
of the country’s sorcery centres and is home of tamtams (vertical slit gongs),
fern tree sculptures and sand drawings. It also has some of the best artefacts
and carvings in Melanesia. Boarding the Xplorer, we travel ashore and by special
invitation meet the locals and view the mystical Rom Spirit Dance.
Day 14: Tanna Island Volcano Today is a very special
experience as this is one of the only places in the world where you can safely
stand on the rim of an active volcano. As we approach Tanna Island we see our
first signs of volcanic activity, with hot springs bubbling beneath the surface
- keep an eye out for Dugongs, the rarely seen sea creature that inspired the
myth of the mermaid. After anchoring in Port Resolution, named by Captain Cook
in 1774 in honour of his ship HMS Resolution, we go ashore to a friendly welcome
from the locals. Join our Expedition Leader and naturalists on a scenic drive
through the rainforest and up the slopes of Mount Yasur. Following a short walk
to the rim admire the fantastic views of this active volcano that still
regularly spew sparks, rocks and ash. With a backdrop of the volcanic glow we
depart Tanna Island for Port Vila as we enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Cocktails
and settle in for our last night discovering Melanesia.
Day 15: Port Vila Farewell 8:00am - This morning we arrive in
Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu and farewell our new friends before disembarking
Oceanic Discoverer.
This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit
and activities on offer. Whilst every effort will be made to follow this
itinerary we do reserve the right to vary this itinerary to make allowances for
weather, tidal conditions and any other reason whatsoever.
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