From the verdant volcanic peaks of French Polynesia to the Cook Islands’ coral rings and crystal-clear lagoons – this itinerary evokes balmy beach days and sultry, flower-perfumed nights.
While on the idyllic Cook Islands, villagers will charm you with their graceful dances and irresistible friendliness. And on Society Islands, you will visit ancient and sacred marae sites and venture out with our ornithologists as they point out some of the 33 indigenous bird species.
Departures:
- 16 Oct – 26 Oct 2001 (Rarotonga - Papeete)
- 17 Apr – 27 Apr 2002 (Papeete to Rarotonga)
- 20 Oct – 30 Oct 2002 (Rarotonga - Papeete)
Trip Length:
- 10 Days
Price:
- From $7,569 depending upon cabin accomodations. Please send us an email for detailed pricing.
PRICE INCLUDES: Pre- and post-cruise land programs as described in brochures, shipboard gratuities, select alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, shore excursions and port charges.
NOTE: Flights are not included in the cruise / land rates. Society Expeditions offers group flight schedules and special group rates. Single travelers may occupy categories B,C,D and E at 150% of published rate. Other categories are available upon request. The rate for a third person, occupying at stateroom with two full fare guests is available at 50% of published rate. Share accomodations can be arranged on request. Please send us an email for rates for the 2002-2003 season. All prices are in US dollars and do not include international airfare, unless otherwise noted.
Day by Day itinerary
| Day 1. | Los Angeles,
California to Rarotonga, Cook Islands Depart Los Angeles for Rarotonga. On arrival you will be met by a Society Expeditions escort, who will guide you to our hotel, where we will spend the next three nights. |
| Day 2. | Rarotonga, Cook
Islands Explore the balmy beaches and other sites of this Cook Island capital on your own today. |
| Day 3. | Rarotonga, Cook
Islands Enjoy a second day in tropical paradise. You may choose to explore the town or some of the islands many beautiful beaches, or simply relax at our deluxe resort. |
| Day 4. | Rarotonga, Cook
Islands We will begin the day with a circle-island tour of Rarotonga. The conclusion of this excursion will find us alongside the "New" World Discoverer. Settle in and meet your expedition team before enjoying the first of many gourmet meals onboard. Those continuing on the "New" World Discoverer from the preceding Pearls of the South Pacific voyage will enjoy a full-day tour of the island before rejoining the ship. |
| Day 5. | Aitutaki, Cook
Islands More then 200 years ago, Captain Bligh became the first European to visit Aitutaki, considered part atoll and part volcanic island. The 28-mile triangular reef surrounding Aitutaki forms a spectacular lagoon with a living coral garden. Today we will be greeted by the island’s charming residents. We plan on spending the day on tour around the island including a snorkeling stop at One-foot Island. A Polynesian barbecue lunch will be served on the beach of Motu Raku. Divers may explore the underwater world as well (NOTE: Divers must obtain certification BEFORE the voyage in order to take part in diving expeditions). |
| Day 6. | Atiu, Cook
Islands Our day begins with a warm welcome by the residents of remote and peaceful Atiu (pronounced "ATCH-oo," as if one were sneezing). After a traditional feast and brilliant dance presentation, we will embark on a circle-island tour, including stops at a traditional marea (sacred site) built of limestone and coral, a plantation, and Captain Cook’s landing site of 1744. Birders will seek the endemic Atiu Swiftlet, as well as Chattering Kingfishers and Cook Island Fruit-doves. Diving and snorkeling excursions may be offered as well. |
| Day 7. | Mopelia, Society
Islands Legend has it that Mopelia conceals the lost treasure of a WWI privateer known as the "Sea Devil." Mopelia also boasts another treasure, as indicated in the nickname "Bird Island." Red-footed Boobies, Brown Noddies, and Fairy Terns, can be found here in abundance. Occasional sightings of the endangered Blue (Tahiti) Lorikeets have been noted as well. We will tour the island, including a visit to the village and an ecologically-controlled stop at the bird colonies. |
| Day 8. | Bora Bora,
Society Islands Of all the idyllic isles of the South Pacific, perhaps none have inspired so many writers, poets, sailors, and dreamers as Bora Bora. With its verdant double peaks and encircling lagoon, Bora Bora is unsurpassed in its scenic beauty. The surrounding barrier reef provides superb snorkeling and diving, which is sure to be one of the underwater highpoints of the voyage. Guests may opt to take part in optional shark feeding excursions or helicopter tours. |
| Day 9. | Raiatea and
Huahine, Society Islands The islands of Raiatea and Huahine support a thriving ecosystem of fish life in their surrounding reef. Snorkeling, diving, and glass bottom boat excursions will be offered. Onshore, Raiatea is home to Taputapuatea, the most sacred marae in all of the Society Islands. A tour of Huahine will include stops at other marae, a vanilla plantation, and other places of historical and cultural interest. |
| Day 10. | Papeete, Tahiti,
Society Islands Disembark this morning and tour Papeete. Those continuing on with the "New" World Discoverer for the In the Wake of the Bounty voyage will rejoin the ship in the late afternoon. All others will transfer to our resort hotel following the island tour. We will overnight at the hotel and enjoy leisure time in this beautiful city. The following day we depart Papeete. |
Voyage Log Excerpts
Date: September 18, 1999
Location: Ali Island
Today we would visit tiny Ali Island. Located just off the coast of northwestern Papua New Guinea and far from regular shipping lanes, this little islet has remained traditional and unspoiled. Ours would be a very special visit, as we were the first ship ever to call on Ali.
An exceptional welcome awaited us with dancing children and warm handshakes. One of the English guides told us that all the islanders were up at dawn, watching the horizon for the World Discoverer's arrival. They were all amazed at the size of the vessel, since none of them has seen a ship before.
We were greeted by the village priest, who had also prepared a special welcome for the German passengers because a German company had supplied the building material for the roof of their church. It was therefore his responsibility to honor the Germans as representatives of a tribe who had done the villagers a good turn long ago. Our expedition leader took this opportunity to hand over our homage gifts to the village, mostly in the form of much needed school supplies.
Slow strolls through the neatly swept, clean village, flanked by pruned hibiscus, crotons and slipper flowers brought surprises at every turn. We were presented with our very first sing sing (grand dance ceremony) of this cruise and the enthusiasm and color displayed by the dancers was very exciting. Many of the men wore loincloths of a flexible palm. The ladies wore grass skirts fashioned fastidiously from sago palm. All were adorned with extraordinary headdresses and other ornaments, creating a magnificent spectacle of sight and sound.
Brad, our anthropologist, was an expert on headdresses. He marveled at the Bird of Paradise plumes sported by the ensemble, proof of the vast trading network that exists throughout New Guinea. He spoke with a member of the community about the feather trade, and was told that the islanders barter with the mainlanders for them, offering large amounts of fish for just a few feathers. Feathers from chickens, Sulpher Crested Cockatoo and Cassowary also had their place on the headdresses.
The birders among us saw seventeen species of wild birds, including local specialties such as the Tonesian Crow and Pied Imperial Pigeon, both characteristic of coastal regions of New Guinea. Migration was in full swing, leading to the appearance of the Whimbrel, Mongolian Plover, Grey Tailed Tattler and Common Sandpiper. All told, it was a wonderful and exotic day of birding.
Everyone was back onboard for
lunch and to catch our breath. After a scrumptious lunch, the Zodiac
shuttle made sure that we could go back to the island for some swimming,
snorkeling, and diving. It was quickly apparent why New Guinea is
celebrated for its diving. Tropical fish and vibrant corals surrounded us
as we glided along colorful reefs with virtually unlimited visibility.
Back onshore, some of us were lucky enough to get
gifts from the islanders of necklaces made out of shells. These were
offered as a show of friendship and after receiving one, it seemed as
though you had made a friend for life.
Our botanist Kay's lecture that evening "The Dazzling Flora of Our South Pacific Adventure," was a pictorial display of the many flowers that we would encounter. She began with members of the hibiscus family: plumerian, bougainvillea, allamanda, Pacific rosewood and many others. She then discussed entobotanical uses of these plants in the different cultures.
Kay's talk was followed by cocktails and an informal recap of the day's events with the lecture team. We then adjourned to the dining room for yet another fabulous gourmet dinner. After a bit of relaxing, it was off to bed in anticipation of our adventures to come in this wonderful, exotic paradise.