Kokas Island, Indonesia, 5/18/2024, National Geographic Orion
Aboard the
National Geographic Orion
Indonesia & Papua New Guinea
A new day and a completely new situation here on Kokas. The community we visited is predominantly Muslim and the people greeted us with song, dance, and enthusiasm. I think the community members took as many photos of us as we took of them!
We listened, attempted the local dances, and tried local foods including durian and a starchy dish made from the sago palm.
We admired beautiful rock art during a rainstorm and then came on board to watch a film about our guest speaker Valerie Taylor.
Jennifer Kingsley is a journalist and writer from Ottawa, Canada who specializes in personal stories from around the world. In 2015, she founded Meet the North, a three-year storytelling journey to six Arctic nations. Her work then expanded to island...
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Today we crossed the Pacific Ocean between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands on National Geographic Orion . The swells were crashing over the bow as we bounced from crest to crest. It’s a sea day and the last before we end this great voyage in Honiara, Solomon Islands. The guests were entertained throughout the day with presentations from our expedition experts, a galley visit, and most especially, the team from the galley prepared amazing cuisine to enjoy. It was with mixed feelings we came to the end of this fantastic voyage because National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions won’t be returning to this region for the foreseeable future. The many memories, cultures, and community connections we made over the years has been special and will be missed. Cheers! Tua Pittman, Cultural Navigator
Kia Orana Everyone! Today, we had the privilege of visiting the island of Samarai, overwhelmed by its beauty, culture, and the warmth of the people. The moment we stepped ashore, we were greeted with vibrant smiles, warrior chants and the rhythmic sounds of the local music, setting the tone for the entire experience. The islanders had set up small stalls, proudly displaying intricately carved wooden sculptures, each piece telling a story. It was amazing to see the craftsmanship and the effort that went into each item. Following this, we returned to National Geographic Orion for lunch before embarking on another exciting afternoon. Highlights included a hands-on weaving workshop with Kura, and for those in a competitive spirit, the day concluded with a fun and lively “Big Fat Pub Quiz,” testing our knowledge and teamwork. This was accompanied by a festive cocktail hour. It was an amazing day that left us with a deep admiration for the island and its people! Photo caption and credit: Paola trying on a mask on the island of Samarai. Photo by Kura Happ
We are incredibly lucky to have the team from Woodland Zoo onboard for this voyage as they have close ties to the villages of Papua New Guinea. Today, Guest Speaker Dr. Lisa Dabek, Senior Director of the Tree Conservation Program, shared with us her experiences in saving the Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo found on the Huon Peninsula. We learned about the tree kangaroos’ feeding and breeding behaviors and the great work they are doing in saving these unique marsupials. Naturalist Heather then took us on a journey into the very misunderstood world of insects and arachnids in her presentation, “Leaving a legacy when you are less than an inch tall.” After a delicious lunch prepared by our gourmet chefs, our knowledge of the undersea world was then broadened with Undersea Specialist Brett taking us on a deep dive into the darkness of the big blue, shining a light on the creatures that live within its depths. Our sea day of learning was then finished off with Guest Speaker Nancy Philips’ presentation, looking at the intersect of human health and the health of the surrounding environment in a sensitive and developing nation. During cocktail hour our onboard National Geographic Photographer Krista and Photo Instructor Fiona held a photo feedback session for those wanting to sharpen their photography and editing skills. It was a very full and satisfying day at sea on board National Geographic Orion.
