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South Pacific Expedition

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South Pacific Expedition STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY South Pacific Expedition NEW CALEDONIA, VANUATU, SOLOMON ISLANDS AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA February 21 to March 10, 2015 a program of the stanford alumni association Melanesia is a group of some of the most idyllic tropical islands on earth. For millennia they have entranced the early navigators and settlers who populated them and whose paths we’ll follow. We sail from New Caledonia to Papua New Guinea aboard the expedition ship, Oceanic Discoverer, on a voyage that calls at many diverse islands— from dazzling rings of coral atolls, where nothing stands higher than a palm tree, to towering volcanic islands. Our marine activities include snorkeling and SCUBA diving in pristine waters and swimming off warm sandy beaches. Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry, MA ’94, will discuss with us various U.S. strategies in the Asia-Pacific region and the battles of World War II that took place in the Pacific theater. Join us for an adventure in this marine paradise! BRETT S. THOMPSON , ’83, DIRECTOR, STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY Highlights LEARN about WWII history STROLL through SNORKEL or dive among PEER into the fiery caldera in the Solomon Islands at villages on remote islands colorful coral and man-made of an active volcano on battle sites and U.S. military and observe traditional reefs, sharing the waters Tanna Island and be awed installations where ship- ways of life in Vanuatu. with thousands of exotic by the bubbling lava pools wrecks lie both above and tropical fish. that carpet its floor. below the sea. Ambua Rabaul Lodge Buka Bougainville SOLOMON PAPUA NEW Arnavon Lamassa ISLANDS GUINEA Lambon Mangalonga Ghizo Santa Port Moresby Nendo Kennedy Ana Champagne Ureparapara South Beach Pentecost Cairns Pacific VANUATU Ocean NEW Lifou Tanna AUSTRALIA CALENDONIA Noumea WEDN ESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 incl uding their worship of SUNDAY, MARCH 1 Itinerary LIFOU ISLAND the Duke of Edinburgh, URE PARAPARA ISLAND Lifou Island’s impressive Pri nce Philip, whom they Arrive at Ureparapara, one of SATURDAY TO MONDAY, beaches, among the best believe to be a divine spirit. the most spectacular islands FEBRUARY 21 TO 23 in the world, are backed by OCEANIC DISCOVERER (B,L,D) in the South Pacific and U.S.N / OUMEA, sparkl ing lagoons and pine one that is rarely visited by NEWC ALENDONIA Depart the U.S. and, en route tree-covered landscapes. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 outsiders. Cruise through an Join our expedition leader PENT ECOSTIS LAND inle t into the cone of a volcano to New Caledonia, cross Witness the famous land the international date line, on a walk across the island, surrounded on three sides by divi ng ceremony on Pentecost high cliffs. Traveling ashore, losing a day in transit. Arrive stopping to take in the views of beautiful bays and old Isl and, traditional forerunner we are entertained by the local in Noumea on Monday and to the modern-day “bungee transfer to our hotel to join churc hes. OCEANIC DISCOVERER people with dancing before (B,L,D) jump.” Local people believe ning a guided walk to the fellow travelers for a festive joi that the ceremony will ensure top of the caldera for fantastic wel come reception and THURSDAY, FEB RUARY 26 a bountiful yam harvest the views across the island. dinn er. CHATEAU ROYAL BEACH TANNA ISLAND, follo wing year. OCEANIC OCEANIC DISCOVERER (B,L,D) RE SORT AND SPA (2/23: D) VANUATU DI SCOVERER (B,L,D) Crossing into Vanuatu we MONDAY, MARCH 2 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 appro ach Tanna Island to SATURD AY, FEBRUARY 28 NENDO ISLAND, NOUMEA / see our first signs of volcanic CHAMPAGNE BEACH SO LOMON ISLANDS CASEYIS LAND Embark the Oceani c ac tivity—hot springs bubbling Today enjoy the splendor Our introduction to the Discover er and enjoy lunch beneath the surface. Board of magnificent Champagne Solomon Islands, Nendo as we cruise toward New our excursion vessel, Xplorer, Beach, the jewel of Vanuatu, Island is an excellent stop for to motor to Tanna Island’s viewi ng quality handmade Caled onia’s Casey Island. with a full day of exhilarating lcanic beach. After njoy a cultural show Rel ax on the spectacular black vo swi mming, snorkeling and artifacts. E anding at Port Resolution beach, or venture into the our l glass-bottom boat tours. prepared for our arrival at this shallows just yards from the we are met by the villagers, The adventurous may wish very remote and untouched island and then grab the beac h for our first Melanesian who transport us through the to join a SCUBA dive over nity to do some sno rkeling experience. Join forest to the lower reaches the coral reefs. Others may opportu rkeling. OCEANIC DISCOVERER th e ship’s marine biologist of Mt. Yasur’s active volcano. opt to participate in a guided sno ture to the rim of the (B,L,D) on the glass-bottom boat Ven walk with local guides through caldera , where we peer into or paddle a kayak over the the rain forest to the popular the heart of the volcano and swim ming spot dubbed “the TUESDAY, MARCH 3 reef. This evening join fellow SANTA ANA travelers for the captains see its lava pools. Spend time Blu e Hole.” OCEANIC DISCOVERER The villagers of Santa Ana, a with the locals and learn about (B,L,D) wel come reception. OCEANIC small island southeast of San thei r interesting customs, DI SCOVERER (B,L,D) Cristobal, welcome us ashore with local warriors bearing to see how the conservation the island of Buka, a fairly flat MONDAY, MARCH 9 swo rds and blowing on conch efforts are helping rejuvenate island ringed by a coral reef. RABAUL,P APUA NEW GUINEA / shell horns. Santa Ana is the island, then enjoy some OCEANIC DISCOVERER (B,L,D) CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA known for its bone fishhooks sno rkeling and a glass-bottom Arrive early this morning and imaginative fishing floats. boat tour. This afternoon board SUNDAY, MARCH 8 LAMASSA ISLAND / in magnificent Simpson Join our naturalist on a walk Xplor er for a cruise up Dart LAMBON ISLAND Harb our in Rabaul and board across the island, which takes Sound to the remote village This morning we board Xpl orer our charter flight to Cairns, us through shady forests to of Kia to meet it’s residents. and make our way to Lamassa Austral ia. PULLMAN HOTEL (B,L) see colorful orchids. OCEANIC OCEANIC DISCOVERER (B,L,D) Island to be greeted by spear- DI SCOVERER (B,L,D) wielding ogres, an enact-ment TUESDAY, MARCH 10 FRIDAY, MARCH 6 of the greeting given to the CAIRNS / U.S. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 KENNEDY ISLAND / Following breakfast transfer GHIZO ISLAND first Europeans to set foot on MANGALONGA ISLAND to the international airport Discover tiny Kennedy Island, this island. Later we explore This morning we anchor off for flights home to the U.S., named in honor of John F. Lamb on Island and its jungle- pic turesque Mangalonga arriving back the same day. (B) Island and savor a full day Kennedy, who swam ashore cla d beach. Keep an eye out for of water activities. Snorkel, here with his crew after PT- the island’s bright green skinks The itinerary is an indication of the SCUB A dive or join a glass- 109 was sunk by a Japanese and beautiful Barringtonia destinations we visit and activities bottom boat tour before destroyer during World flowers. This evening gather for on offer. While every effort will be made to follow the itinerary we do travel ing to Maravagi Resort, War II. This afternoon visit our farewell reception. OCEANIC DI SCOVERER (B,L,D) reserve the right to vary this itinerary where we explore the native the small provincial capital to make allowances for seasonal flora on a guided nature walk. on Ghizo Island. Wander variations, weather, tidal conditions OCEANIC DISCOVERER (B,L,D) th rough the open-air markets and any other event that may affect and admire the crafts made the operation of our vessel. THURSDAY, MARCH 5 by the legendary Solomon ARNAVON ISLANDS / Islands woodcarvers. OCEANIC DART SOUND DI SCOVERER (B,L,D) Optional Post-trip Extension The Arnavon Islands are the only marine reserve in SATURDAY, MARCH 7 toH the ighlands of Papua New Guinea the Solomon Islands where, BOUGAIN VILLE ISLAND MARCH 9 TO 13 except for subsistence / BUKA ISLAND Travel from Rabaul to Port Moresby before flying to the highlands gathering, all marine life Traveling in the wake of the is protected and fishing is 18th-century French explorer, of Papua New Guinea. Spend three nights at the Ambua Lodge ban ned. The islands are Loui s-Antoine de Bougainville, in the Tari Valley, home of the Huli wigman, one of the largest ethnic home to endangered wildlife, we sail along the coast of groups in the Southern Highlands and also home to 13 species incl uding the beautiful Bougai nville Island and of birds of paradise. Enjoy two full days visiting the Huli clans hawksbill turtle. Travel ashore embark on an expedition to and searching for the elusive birds of paradise before returning to Port Moresby for our flight back home. DINING ROOM PROMENADE DECK STATEROOM XPLORER EXCURSION VESSEL Oceanic Discoverer The recently built Oceanic Discoverer consists of 36 spacious, modern staterooms that offer a choice of twin or junior king beds. All staterooms have an ocean view, en suite facilities, settee, large wardrobe, desk, luggage storage and individual air-conditioning Active Stabilizers control. Spacious and finely appointed public areas include a reference library, lecture lounge, purser’s desk, large sun deck, spa pool and two bars.
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