At Sea – Vanuatu to Fiji, 2/22/2024, National Geographic Orion
Aboard the
National Geographic Orion
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
The day was spent at sea, traversing the approximately 600 nautical miles from Tanna, Vanuatu to Suva, Fiji. Time was spent enjoying the shipboard facilities, including the gym and sauna, and attending presentations by the ship’s naturalists and field staff.
Mike's love for the water comes from growing up on the great lakes where his dad worked as a commercial ship captain. After going to university for mechanical engineering he worked in the automotive, plastics, and aerospace defense industries before ...
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The day started with an amazing sunrise on National Geographic Orion as we arrived at Beqa Island. The morning activities offered were a morning dive, and for those not diving, an exploration ashore to experience the kindness of Fiji culture at one of the villages on the island. And for anyone up for the extra adventure, a hike starting in the village and ending at a different bay was offered. In the afternoon, we all went ashore to enjoy the mecca welcome dance and the incredible Fiji fire walking performance, which was incredible to witness. The festivities were followed by the last snorkeling excursion of the trip, which we happily enjoyed. We ended the evening with the captain’s farewell - a perfect ending to a perfect expedition.
This morning National Geographic Orion dropped the hook off Fiji’s third largest island, Taveuni. Because of the abundant tropical vegetation, it is affectionately known as the garden island of Fiji. From the landing we took an open-air bus to the village of Waitabu. Travelling the coastal rim-road we could see the staple crops of cassava, taro, and breadfruit growing along the side of the road. At the village, we were welcomed by men singing and women who adorned us with beautiful leis made from masi/tapa and croton. After an introduction to the kava ceremony by our local guide, we then watched the beautiful tradition of preparing and serving this ancestral beverage of the Pacific Island cultures. After the ceremony, the young members of the community performed some lovely dances and we sampled some local cuisine. From there we headed to Bouma National Park and the amazing Tavoro Waterfalls. After a short, pleasant walk we made it to the tallest of the three waterfalls and enjoyed a refreshing dip in the large pool. After lunch we hopped into our Zodiacs and headed out for the reef in Waitabu Marine Park and enjoyed some more water time. It was another amazing day in Fiji!
We had a relaxing day cruising toward Fiji, enjoying a late start after last night’s festivities. Brunch was a feast of fresh fruits, pastries, and coffee, setting the tone for a leisurely morning. We toured the galley, where the crew shared their culinary expertise, then spent time on the bow, watching for wildlife. Cultural Specialist Kura Happ gave an insightful demonstration on opening coconuts at different life stages, teaching us about their cultural significance in the Pacific Islands. As we neared Suva, Fiji’s capital, we caught our first glimpse of land and prepared to clear customs. With Taveuni ahead, we ended the day with a fun trivia night, capping off another memorable day at sea.
