Heritage hadn’t stopped at this island before so it was a true ‘expedition’ stop with only a vague idea of what to expect. As it turned out, we were immediately surprised by a makeshift local market that had been set up on our behalf. When the locals heard we were coming, they boated across from nearby islands bringing their …

Today we were privileged to be the first tourist ship to ever stop at Tagula Island at Griffin Point, a rural boarding school for elementary students. The students welcomed us with a dance and then split up and escorted us individually around their school. Mariella, an 11 yo student, grabbed my hand tightly in hers and took me to her classroom. …

We landed at Ferguson Island in the D’Entrecasteaux Island group and were greeted by welcoming villagers and a tremendous local guide, Beatriz. The houses on the island were some of the best maintained huts we have seen thus far, some with landscaped yards, beautiful tropical flowers and even a hedge.

Beatriz carried a basket of food as we …

The Trobriand Islands, also called the “Islands of Love” have been written about more than many places in Papua New Guinea. We visited the village of Kaduaga on Kaileuna Island. I confirmed with many different locals that we were both the first ship and the first set of tourists in any form that they had visit since the 1990s. …

Today was our most exciting zodiac landing yet. Waves were crashing on the sandy beach and the zodiac drivers had to be particularly adept to quickly ease us around backwards and into shore. A team of expedition staff and a handful of young men from the village assisted travelers off the zodiac as the waves shifted it back and forth.

The …

On this election day back in the US, it seemed appropriate that we were stopping at another place that was waiting to find out its fate in the world. Bougainville Island was arbitrarily assigned to Papua New Guinea at the time of independence in 1975. However, the islanders voted for independence and PNG has until 2027 to ratify this non binding …

This morning we departed in the backs of pick up trucks for the 45 minute drive to Imbu Rano Lodge. We hiked thru protected rainforest areas to a viewpoint overlooking the cloud forest below. Our local guide pointed out a rock where human sacrifices were performed a few generations back. Local tribes would capture enemy fighters and tie them to …

Tetapare is the largest uninhabited island in the South Pacific, a nesting ground for both leatherback and sea turtles and a success story for grassroots ecotourism efforts. It’s still in its infancy and the rangers admit that they need more help to patrol the marine waters, but efforts are being made to educate neighboring communities and …

Travel is about experiencing the unexpected and Roderick Bay was certainly unexpected. It’s the site were the MS World Discoverer was grounded (intentionally) in 2000 after hitting an uncharted reef. The captain safely evacuated all of the passengers and crew then ran her aground here as it was obvious the ship was about to capsize.

We …