Moso, Vanuatu, 2/7/2024, National Geographic Orion
Aboard the
National Geographic Orion
Australia and New Zealand
Our day began with a captivating visit to the island of Moso in Vanuatu where the natural beauty of the South Pacific awaited us. The morning was spent exploring one of the island’s pristine beaches, swimming in the brilliant blue waters and wandering the nearby forest.
The afternoon was spent exploring the crystal-clear waters of one of Moso’s finest coral reefs. Below the surface we were met with a kaleidoscope of color as tropical fish darted among the coral.
Heather is from Western Australia. Her interests include travel, scuba diving, sailing, Scouts, exploring nature and marine environments, pottery, mountain biking and socializing with friends and family. Heather's studies, majoring in Marine Biology ...
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Today we arrived at Owaraha Island in the Solomons. Guests were given a chance to visit the village and see the traditional pan pipers and the cultural dances of the people of this village. Guests were also offered a chance to hike to a spiritual village and snorkel the reef of this island. A good time was had by all. For the rest of the day, we were at sea headed to Honiara.
The decision to remain in Vanuatu proved inspired as we experienced two marvelous days in Espiritu Santo. This morning as we finally made our way across to the Solomon Islands, the seas were kind. Gentle swells and light winds made for an exceptionally pleasant crossing and much better conditions for wildlife spotting. In the morning we saw tropic birds and petrels amongst the regular flutter of flying fish, drawn out by the splashing of the bow through the swell. Most of the ship enjoyed a slow, lazy morning to recover from some busy expedition days, and the hotel and galley team laid out a beautiful brunch on the back deck later in the morning. After lunch we had talks from Undersea Specialist Mike Greenfelder and Cultural Specialist and Navigator Tua Pitman before a special afternoon tea – pancakes! During our evening recap Expedition Leader Alex Searle explained our plans for the following morning in the Solomon Islands, and National Geographic Orion made way with spectacular views of the sunset.
The sound of the crunching leaves underfoot, the nagging, rattling call of the endemic Vanuatu kingfisher, the tickle of the sweat dripping down your knee, the glimpse from the corner of your eye of the shadow of a forest bird flying away, the yellow glow of the belly of the Vanuatu white-eye, the taste of the spongy coconut and the juicy pomelo at the end of our morning birding adventure. This morning, we explored the Loru Conservation Area in Espiritu Santo. The protected, 220-hectacre lowland forest is host to at least six Vanuatu endemics and many other songbird species. We were excited, sweaty, hot, curious, alert, occasionally frustrated, and ultimately rewarded. We were never bored. Birding in this kind of intact habitat is truly a special treat. In the afternoon, we took a beautiful canoe ride up to the Riri Blue Hole, where we went for a lovely swim. Vanuatu is a wonder to behold. What a time to be alive!
