South Pacific Journey to Distant Islands

The South Pacific area accommodates about 30,000 islands – it appears unfathomable – 30,000! So how on the planet do you resolve which of them to go to? I used to be confronted with this query as I attempted to plan my South Pacific Journey. One among my objectives was to go to the actually distant, seldom visited South Pacific islands in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu with out spending months doing it. Right here’s the excellent news…it’s potential! Be taught how one can get to 14 of probably the most distant islands in Melanesia in 17 days whereas studying in regards to the distinctive tradition, historical past, and panorama of the South Pacific.

What began as a sprinkle of rain, transitioned shortly to a downpour. I attempted to cowl up my digital camera and seemed round to attempt to discover cowl. A girl in a hut was making an attempt to get my consideration as she waved her palms. Our eyes locked and he or she motioned for me to come back inside. As soon as once more, the South Pacific was displaying its welcoming hospitality.

I ducked into the thatched hut. I used to be stunned after I glanced up and seen a complete group of village girls and young children gazing me.

Distant South Pacific Journey

On this uber-connected world – it’s laborious to find locations that really feel actually untouched. They’re usually laborious to get to, have restricted house, and have little infrastructure – which creates numerous insurmountable hurdles for vacationers who wish to do South Pacific Journey.

Regardless of these hurdles – distant locations like Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu are completely well worth the journey. One option to overcome these hurdles is to journey to the South Pacific Islands by ship.

I’m not speaking about simply any ship. It’s vital to appreciate there are the everyday cruise corporations that cruise the South Pacific Islands, nonetheless, they go to the islands which have extra infrastructure. They begin in massive cities like Sydney, LA, and Brisbane. They usually go to the extra fashionable vacationer locations like Tahiti or Fiji; locations with airports and cruise ports. Certain – these are nonetheless small South Pacific islands, however they’ve the infrastructure to welcome hundreds of passengers from massive cruise ships.

Most South Pacific cruises don’t go to distant, tiny islands like Loh Island. Those with no tourism, lodges, electrical energy, or plumbing. And that’s precisely the place I needed to set foot…onto the South Pacific Islands which can be laborious (if not inconceivable) to get to.

Enter Heritage Expeditions which has been cruising to distant South Pacific islands for 10 years now. The small family-owned expedition cruise firm truly offers expedition-type journey to locations which can be almost inconceivable to get to. The Heritage Expeditions Secrets and techniques of Melanesia cruise will take you up to now off the vacationer path…there’s barely even a path in any respect!

What’s Expedition Journey

Expedition journey is a journey area of interest that permits for the flexibleness to reply to the setting, wildlife, and different journey elements. It’s usually performed by small ship as a result of it’s often the one option to get to essentially distant locations. An expedition cruise seems to be type of like a mini model of a cruise ship – however this isn’t a typical ‘cruise’. There’s no want to decorate up, no theater reveals, and there aren’t any shore excursions; it’s extra unpredictable and rugged in a manner. An expedition ship is sufficiently small to have the ability to anchor offshore in deep waters and passengers are transported by Zodiac rafts on shore to small villages or nature areas.

We had numerous days the place flexibility was mandatory and we went manner off the itinerary, altering plans resulting from cultural points (warring tribes!) and climate. We traveled in some uncharted waters and went to locations that the captain or the expedition chief had by no means been to earlier than. On expedition journey, you let the journey take you, fairly than you taking the journey.

Or as our expedition chief put it – you must be rigidly versatile to do an expedition journey.

Take heed to the Beginner Traveler Podcast the place I speak about journey by expedition ship to Melanesia. Find out about what to anticipate and why it’s such a particular area to journey to.

South Pacific Journey

The South Pacific is greater than a musical – it’s a whole group of islands within the Pacific Ocean that consists of three areas; Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia.

My South Pacific journey took me via the Melanesia area on Heritage Expeditions’ new 120-passenger Heritage Adventurer ship. This was the proper option to journey to South Pacific distant island villages and cultures that usually get only a few if any guests.

To provide you an concept of simply how few individuals go to Melanesia
Vanuatu – 121,000 annual guests
Solomon Islands – 29,000 annual guests
Papua New Guinea – 211,000 annual guests
………………………………………………………………………..
France 218,000,000 annual guests

Why Journey to Melanesia?

Melanesia is made up of 4 nations; Fiji, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea. These nations embrace hundreds of islands within the South Pacific overflowing with biodiversity.

It is likely one of the prime birding locations on the planet with over 501 endemic birds and it’s house to the Coral Triangle which accommodates no less than 500 species of reef-building corals and is likely one of the eight main coral reef zones on the planet.

After which there’s the explanation I cruised via Melanesia – the tradition. It is likely one of the most culturally complicated areas on the planet. The islands have over 1000 languages! The locals reside in villages devoid of contemporary conveniences (besides cell telephones), depend on the sources of the land, journey by canoe, protect their historical past via oral traditions, and foster tight-knit communities centered round household ties and elders. They interact in commerce utilizing shells and pigs, take part in elaborate ceremonies, perform sure unsettling rituals, and, at occasions, uphold the apply of a ‘bride worth.’

Melanesia is likely one of the final locations on earth the place you’re going to get to expertise this stuff of their purest type.

South Pacific Island Tradition – Like Nothing You’ve Ever Skilled Earlier than

Journey the South Pacific and also you’ll most undoubtedly hear terrifying tales of headhunters. It’s the place a few of the final headhunting tribes had been discovered. Traditionally it was a land of warring tribes and cannibalism. Regardless that that doesn’t exist any longer, there are nonetheless loads of tribal disagreements, and the warring is deeply rooted of their tradition.

Expertise the One-of-a-Type Singsings

The time period ‘Singsing’ refers back to the elaborate festivals held all through Melanesia, the place villagers showcase theatrically choreographed dance and vocal performances. They’re spectacular occasions with ornate costumes, dances, uncommon music, and singing.

The dances and costumes signify numerous village occasions comparable to giving thanks for harvests, asking for a profitable hunt, and blessings for weddings, funerals, births, and good well being. There have been dragon dances, frog dances, elaborate masks, headdresses product of uncommon feathers, and complex piercings. More often than not I sat and watched in disbelief and awe that this was for actual.

The villagers inspired us to take part in most of the singsings, which invariably resulted in them bursting into laughter and pointing on the amusing foreigners and our dance strikes! I cherished becoming a member of the dances, you possibly can’t assist however be pleased interacting with this historic cultural custom.

South Pacific Cruise Island Hopping – The place to Go and What to Count on

Day by day we stopped at totally different island communities and had an opportunity to work together with the locals. I don’t assume it might be potential to go to all of those islands by yourself. Nevertheless, with Heritage Expeditions it was straightforward to traverse these little-known islands in a comparatively quick time period.

Sepik River Papua New Guinea – Land of the Crocodile

As we landed our zodiacs in Kopar village the youngsters and villagers waved a welcome to us. The villagers carried out three totally different dances that includes elaborate costumes: the fish dance, dragon dance, and snake dance. Locals from surrounding villages alongside the 700-mile-long Sepik River flocked to Kopar to see the efficiency in addition to to get have a look at us…the guests.

Very similar to journey to India – you must be comfy with being stared at whereas doing South Pacific journey.

Along with the frilly costumes for the singsing, I used to be additionally in awe of the unimaginable artifacts and handicrafts that the villagers had laid out for us to admire and buy. As soon as once more, households traveled for days to convey their crafts to Kopar to satisfy (and promote to) the guests.

Manus Island Papua New Guinea – Dancing with Tree Frogs

The neighborhood of Manus Island hadn’t seen guests for two+ years. To make up for that they welcomed us with open arms and smiles. As our zodiacs got here near shore school-age youngsters lined up on the seaside singing and dancing wildly with an accompaniment of a heavy drum beat.

The neighborhood even welcomed us into the village through a ceremonial ‘ribbon chopping’ (twine chopping). It was a beautiful ‘Western world’ welcome to a really historic tradition. They entertained us with singsings, together with a dance depicting the tree frogs that descend from the bushes to feed and drink. Males carrying costumes product of bushes, leaves, flowers, and shells actually dropped from the bushes and hopped round leaving the complete crowd in giggles.

Nissan Island Papua New Guinea – Assembly Forest Spirits

The Balil 1 villagers warmly welcomed us as our zodiac boat bounced via the small inlet into the sunken crater that kinds Nissan Island.

Regardless that it was a Sunday and usually a quiet day the complete village and surrounding villagers confirmed as much as carry out a singsing and tour us round their village to share their tradition. The spotlight of the occasion was the forest spirits dance, that includes costumes crafted from tree branches, with every spirit adorned in an intricate picket masks.

The native youngsters giggled and screamed as the boys danced round with spears wanting ominous. These dances didn’t solely carry out for us – the guests – but additionally for the native individuals and youngsters with a view to educate the traditions to the youthful generations within the village. I got here to study that our visits had been an vital a part of this passing down of information to the complete village. Generally tourism will be damaging, however on this case, it actually felt like our South Pacific journey had goal and advantages that far outweighed the downsides.

Balil 1 had a small faculty that we toured. The abundance of quotes and indicators displayed within the classroom, discussing well-known people, gender fairness, the importance of environmental conservation, and the worth of peace, shocked me.

Remnants of the battle had been scattered all through the village on Nissan Island, because it had been house to an airstrip utilized throughout WWII. My favourite dialog was with Cecilia who was a grandmother of twins she was caring for. I walked up and requested her what she carried in her bag and he or she pulled out an empty Coke bottle! Troopers cherished Coke, and inevitably some bottles had been left. We ended up in an extended dialog about WWII and the way they don’t make Coke bottles like they used to! She confirmed me how she used the previous (very heavy) bottle to crack open coconuts!

Bougainville Papua New Guinea – Scars of Civil Struggle

One of the crucial tragic islands in Papua New Guinea – Bougainville was a unique kind of go to. I discovered in regards to the tragic historical past of the current civil battle, which lasted for 10 years, and the underlying causes that sparked its initiation. The extended combating claimed the lives of over 15,000 individuals.

We rode in vans to go to the now-defunct Panguna Copper and Gold mine that was on the heart of the tragedy. We witnessed the unhappy remnants of what stays and noticed the way it continues to impression the individuals and the setting as much as today. The locals interact in each day gold mining actions because the mine nonetheless holds ample reserves of gold and copper. Nonetheless, the devastating environmental penalties ensuing from the mine’s closure are actually heartbreaking.

Bougainville individuals culturally affiliate themselves extra with the individuals of the Solomon Islands than Papua New Guinea, giving rise to a current referendum by which they voted to interrupt away from PNG and type its personal autonomous area.

That afternoon we had an unimaginable Papua New Guinea sendoff from one of many singsing teams on the island. No devices, no drawback! In Bougainville all you want is previous footwear and bamboo! I used to be in awe as I listened to such stunning music all created with bamboo pipes and flip-flops.

Tetepare, Solomon Islands – A Lesson in Conservation

Welcome to the island gem of the Solomon Islands – Tetepare Island. Over 100 years in the past, quite a few tribes totaling about 1,860 individuals inhabited the island. Nevertheless, the thriving island was finally deserted. There are 3 potential causes: dysentery, headhunting, and curses – or perhaps all of them?

For over 100 years, it has remained uninhabited and is presently managed as a conservation web site by 12 rangers from the Tetepare Descendants Affiliation. It was rescued from logging and imminent destruction and now serves as a conservation mannequin for the Solomon Islands and the complete South Pacific.

You’ll be able to study extra about this unimaginable transformation within the guide, “The Final Wild Island – Saving Tetepare”

They actually have a little eco-lodge (a couple of conventional huts) there that may be very easy, however you possibly can keep on the island – hike, tag turtles, and take part in conservation efforts. It’s an opportunity to essentially see what it’s like to remain in a easy island setting. Additionally they have unimaginable snorkeling simply offshore. In truth, it was in all probability my favourite snorkeling of the complete journey.

We had been in a position to get ‘hands-on’ with two of the island’s most vital animals – coconut crabs and endangered Inexperienced and Hawksbill turtles! We watched the rangers tag a turtle report its data after which launch it into the ocean. You might see simply how a lot the rangers cherished their jobs and the island.

Coconut crabs disguise in bushes, caves, and within the floor. It’s the biggest terrestrial vertebrate on the planet weighing as much as 4 kg. They usually type of appear to be big spiders…which is a bit terrifying! They’ll truly break right into a coconut and may carry coconuts as much as 3 miles. Surprisingly these crabs can’t swim, so that they dwell on the island the place they’re protected.

Malita Solomon Islands – The place the Cultural Tables Turned

Malita is a extra developed and populated island within the Solomons; nonetheless, we had been there to satisfy a really particular tribe for a singular expertise. Right here we met a couple of members of the Kwaio tribe who made a particular journey to satisfy us and share their tradition. The Kwaio dwell in some of the inaccessible locations within the Solomon Islands; excessive up within the highlands in an space referred to as Naufe’e. They principally had a mountain fortress which allowed them to maintain to their previous methods and exist regardless of the remainder of the island modernizing.

Chief Esau and a small group traveled for a number of days to come back right down to the coast and meet us and the ship. They did demonstrations of their cooking, how they made handicrafts, and the Chief informed us about their work to construct up sources for girls and youngsters within the village and extra.

Nevertheless, we additionally had a chance to take part of their track and dance rituals – however there was one catch. With the intention to take part we needed to put on their conventional clothes…which was principally nothing however a lap lap. A lap lap is only a small waistcloth or loincloth. This was a chance to get totally immersed of their tradition…and get bare and dance! Would you do it?

Frigate Island Solomon Islands – Swim with the Locals

We obtained one other unimaginable welcome to this tiny island. In a cultural twist, the boys of the island did all the dances. After the festivities, we had been free to roam the island and take a look at the mangrove forest or head out snorkeling. The locals got here out in full drive to see the festivities and discuss with us. It occurred to be the final day of faculty and the island instructor introduced all the youngsters out to work together with the foreigners. That is in all probability one of the best form of ‘social research’ the youngsters may get! They loved swimming with all of us and getting rides on the zodiacs.

Nendo Island Solomon Islands – See a Pink Feather Hat

Nendö is the biggest of the Santa Cruz Islands, which mislead the southeast of the Solomon Islands. Right here we made a particular go to inland to the village of Noipe.

We rode behind lorries and bounced alongside on the primitive highway towards the center of the island. After we arrived it felt as if we had been in a ticker tape parade. Locals surrounded us on the highway cheering our arrival.

They welcomed us with leis, coconuts, a good looking harmonious choir, and historic dances. Noipe organized a whole academic afternoon – it was my favourite village we visited. After the dances, that they had a dozen little huts arrange the place we may stroll in and find out about a selected cultural custom. There have been ear piercings, cooking, and utilizing tree bark to make conventional clothes and woven mats. There was even an indication of how they make their notorious crimson feather hats.

Pink Feather Hats

The crimson feather hat just isn’t a hat in any respect. It stands as the one identified bird-based foreign money in human historical past. This Solomon Islands hat is usually seen in museums, however I had the chance to go to the one place on earth the place it was created – Noipe.

I’m not going to lie – this idea of foreign money is actually laborious for me to understand – however I all the time welcome the prospect to find out about cultures totally different than mine.

The ‘hat’, referred to as a tevau, is definitely 50,000 to 60,000 itty bitty crimson feathers taken from the Scarlet Honeyeater hen. Particular craftsmen within the tribe make it. They ‘glue’ every little tiny feather with a sticky sap to an extended wooden coil. The coils are sometimes 20 to 30 ft in size, it may take an individual over a 12 months to finish a full feather coil!

It achieved foreign money standing as a result of the islanders didn’t have entry to uncommon ores to make cash. As an alternative, individuals thought of scarlet honeyeater feathers as the last word hard-to-get useful resource. They used Tevau as funds made to a girl’s household throughout her marriage till the Nineteen Eighties. I’m wondering if they’ve ever ceased utilizing them since we nonetheless noticed their manufacturing within the village at the moment.

At its top, to make the foreign money they needed to pluck from 20,000 particular person birds every year. Regardless of this intense harvesting, hen consultants say the inhabitants of untamed honeybirds on the island thrives to today.

I cherished Noipe, the individuals had been so type and so excited to have us go to. I walked away having discovered a lot about their tradition and acquired to see some of the distinctive cultural items, the tevau, within the South Pacific.

Santo Island Vanuatu

Vanuatu’s largest Island, Santo; is the placement of James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific. We began our go to with a bit of decadence by indulging in champagne on Champagne Seashore in Vanuatu. This stunning seaside acquired its identify due to the volcanic gases that bubble up via the powdery white sand on the shoreline to make it look and feel like champagne beneath your ft! Regardless that the skies seemed like nasty climate – we solely had solar on the seaside which made for a spectacular seaside and snorkeling morning.

Simply after I believed I had witnessed each conceivable type of music in Melanesia, I used to be as soon as once more taken unexpectedly. A bunch of beautiful girls walked into the waves with none devices and created unimaginable music within the water! They cupped their palms in several methods to slap, scoop, and displace the water iso that it that made notes and music. It was awe-inspiring.

Apparently, girls discovered this talent whereas doing the village laundry within the rivers. They wash the village’s garments within the river and began to play with the sounds that they might make, and shortly that they had a ‘band’! Not solely did they current a water live performance, in addition they taught us how we may study a couple of notes!

Within the afternoon we moved on to discover one other a part of Santo Island – Luganville. This city was an vital space throughout WWII. Lots of the allied forces, together with Individuals, had been stationed right here and constructed a good portion of the infrastructure that is still in place to today. We visited numerous WWII websites and museums in addition to the native market.

We ended our time on Santo Island with a dip in one in every of its well-known blue holes. Crystal-clear, deep iridescent blue swimming pools distinctive to Vanuatu. These pure phenomena are shaped when underground streams originating within the island’s western ranges resurface as springs, chopping deep round swimming pools into the karst. The proper swimming gap!

Every South Pacific Island we visited was totally different from the following, however every felt untouched by time. By touring on the Heritage Adventurer it made navigating the distant South Pacific islands potential in 17 days. The Secrets and techniques of Melanesia Cruise is an ideal option to do South Pacific journey to probably the most distant islands. And it’s one of many solely methods to see the world’s most fascinating cultures.

2023 Secrets and techniques of Melanesia Sailings

Secrets and techniques of Melanesia Itinerary
DEPARTURES 23 Oct 2023