EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Visit the Melanesian village of Hnathalo, where ancient customs are still practiced religiously and traditional island values are held in high esteem. Hnathalo is also the name of the tribe living there. Following a welcoming coconut drink, you will walk among the village’s thatched huts, hand-carved totems and open expanses shaded by swaying palms and towering Royal Poinciana trees. It will be like traveling back in time, as little has changed over the years because traditional Melanesian ways are still fervently practiced in Hnathalo. That is especially true in the preparation of dishes such as bougna, a concoction that you will sample after seeing how it’s cooked over red-hot stones in a cleverly designed ground oven. You will also be invited to enter the circular Chief’s Hut, one of the largest of its kind in New Caledonia, and view a church that French Catholic missionaries constructed in 1883. It is decorated with period furnishings that enhance the authenticity.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Learn about the traditional Melanesian way of life in the rural village Hnathalo.
• Sample the Melanesian dish bougna, which is cooked in banana leaves in an earthen oven.
• See the interior of the revered Chief’s Hut and a missionary-built, 19th-century church.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snorkel a coral reef off Mystery Island, an ecologically protected area that is teeming with marine life. Chances are, you will have the reef pretty much to yourself as the island is uninhabited. In other words, it’s a tropical paradise where the natural world reigns supreme. While snorkeling the reef that lies just offshore, you can expect to see all sorts of brightly colored tropical fish, bizarrely shaped coral and perhaps a sea turtle or two.

A guide will snorkel along with you to point out the more interesting marine species such as parrotfish. These neon-colored fish usually swim in schools and have the unique ability to change their color and even gender over their lifetime. You may also spot teeny, orange-and-white striped clown fish taking refuge in the tentacles of sea anemones. The gentle current around the reef will eventually nudge you toward the shore, allowing you to drift snorkel without expending much energy.

OVERVIEW

Embark on a mid-morning escape aboard a luxurious catamaran for a perfect blend of adventure and indulgence. Skip the early wake-up call and snorkel at one of Maui’s top spots, home to native Hawaiian Honu (Green Sea Turtles). Swim alongside these graceful creatures from a respectful distance as they drift over vibrant coral reefs. Relax onboard with the premium amenities of our catamaran, including freshwater showers, shaded cabin seating, and relaxing bow nets. Savor a tropical taco bar featuring island-inspired flavors like huli chicken, kalua pork, and jackfruit topped with Maui Gold pineapple slaw. Sip handcrafted cocktails, local spirits, and refreshing Maui Brewing Company beers while soaking in the beauty of Hawaii’s crystal-clear waters.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a 3-hour luxury snorkeling experience featuring a gourmet tropical taco bar.
• Snorkel at a local favorite location like Turtle Town or the Pali Coast.
• Sip seasonal specialty cocktails, Maui Brew Co. beers, and local spirits from the open bar.
• Enjoy complimentary snorkel gear, flotation devices, and local reef-safe sunscreen.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Bring a swimsuit, and any additional sun protection needed.
• Wear comfortable, non-slip footwear for boarding, with the option to go barefoot on deck.

Gain an understanding of life on Lifou by visiting a prosperous vanilla plantation and the village of Jokin, which overlooks one of the island’s most gorgeous seascapes. Although Lifou’s terrain is rugged, especially along the coast, it is ideal for growing vanilla beans, as you will see firsthand on the plantation. The majority of the vanilla grown on the island is exported to flavor everything from ice cream to perfume, but a small quantity is always reserved for use by the islanders. After a tour of the wonderfully aromatic plantation, you will have the chance to sample a cup of vanilla-enhanced coffee. In the northernmost village of Jokin, you will enjoy free time to wander around and mingle with the residents, who will eagerly share the details of daily life in their small, rather remote village. Jokin perches high atop a fossilized coral cliff overlooking one of the island’s most magnificent bays, and the views are breathtaking.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Visit a vanilla plantation to see how this aromatic flavoring is derived from orchids.
• Sample a cup of vanilla-enhanced coffee and discover other uses of versatile vanilla.
• Mingle with the villagers in remote Jokin and admire the ocean views from its coral cliffs.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Paddle across the shallow waters just off Mystery Island in a kayak with a glass bottom that will present a bird’s-eye view of the spectacle below the water’s surface.

After a briefing on how best to maximize your kayaking adventure, you will paddle to the coral reef that surrounds the small island. These are protected waters teeming with marine life, so you can be sure that there will be plenty to see through the glass bottom of the kayak. What could be easier than just looking down into a veritable living aquarium of brightly colored fish? You might see jewel damsels, lemonpeel angelfish and long-bodied trumpetfish. Sea turtles also inhabit the reef and watching one up close is a real treat.

After kayaking, feel free to snorkel the crystal-clear waters surrounding Mystery Island for a different perspective of the marine life. Or you can simply swim and relax on the beach.

Meander through a tropical forest and explore a grotto, where you will discover how the local Melanesians have gained great benefits from the natural environment. They have lived off the land for centuries, in particular, by hunting and using native flora for medicinal purposes. New Caledonia boasts more than 2,400 species of indigenous plants, so the islanders have always had a vast array of flora at their disposal. Some plants are used to treat ailments while others contain toxins that are sometimes added to rivers to temporarily paralyze fish so they can easily be caught. This is the sort of engaging information that the guide will impart during the forest walk. Later, you will explore a grotto by torchlight, which will eerily illuminate the interior, so you can see the odd shapes of the stalagmites and stalactites. You will also learn how the Melanesians use traditional methods to gather coconut crabs, trap birds and hunt wild pigs.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Take a leisurely walk through a forest with a naturalist guide that will describe the flora.
• Hear how the Melanesians use plants for medicinal purposes and hunt in the forest.
• Explore a grotto by torchlight, which will make the interior look all the more dramatic.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Get a candid glimpse into daily life in a small village on the island of Aneityum by visiting with a local family.

When Europeans first landed on volcanically formed Aneityum in 1793, the island’s population was well over 10,000. In time, the Europeans built a trading station to export sandalwood and timber from the indigenous kauri pines, and whalers set up a base of operation. The population is a fraction of what it was, with the inhabitants now living in small villages. One of the local families will show you around and describe their daily routine.

You may learn about the island folklore, the differing roles of men and women in modern times and how plants are used for medicinal purposes. Aneityum has more species of orchids than any other island in Vanuatu, and you can expect to see them flourishing. Your hosts may also demonstrate how the villagers prepare and cook traditional dishes.

Enjoy a wonderful ride in the clear lagoon of Moorea with great views of the island's sharp mountain peaks, lush green valleys and picturesque coastal shoreline, then enjoy a typical island lunch, relax on a delightful beach or enjoy the warm tropical waters of French Polynesia.

Boarding your boat at the pier, you'll set-off across the turquoise waters of Moorea, en route to a gorgeous white sandy islet that is surrounded by crystal clear water. The waters here are shallow enough for you to walk right off the boat onto the pristine beach where you will have approximately three hours at your leisure.

During your visit, you can relax and soak up the sun, or enjoy some great snorkeling and discover Moorea's amazing underwater world with its colorful fish, flora and fauna. There may even be some inquisitive stingrays to welcome you and in exchange for a piece of fish, they just might delight you by dancing gracefully around you.

Following a barbeque lunch on the beach, you will have more time to enjoy the refreshing waters here or further relax on the beach while being entertained with local music and a coco demonstration.

Experience Fiji's local flavors and traditions in a unique new way during this cruise up the Navua River by long boat, along with a kava ceremony, folk dancing and lunch in a local village.

Enjoy a scenic drive through Suva, en route to the Navua River, where you will embark an open longboat for a scenic journey upriver. Your cruise will be highlighted by endless mountain ranges, a thick tropical rain forest abounding with bird life, deep gorges, cascading waterfalls, and exotic fauna and flora. You can take a refreshing swim in one of the pools created by the river or under the Magic Waterfall during one of your stops.

Visit Raiwaqa Village, located on a 14-mile-long island at a height of almost 1,000 feet above sea level, you will be welcomed by warriors and villagers with a traditional Fijian kava ceremony and after, tour of the village. Along the way, you will learn about the village’s history, native crops and medicinal plants. You will also have an opportunity to mingle with the villagers and purchase local handicrafts. Watch war dances performed by the men and typical folk dances by the village women. Why not join in and learn some new moves? You’ll also be treated to a typical Fijian lunch cooked in an underground oven.

The luau is an essential part of the Hawaiian experience, and the cultural extravaganza at the historic Kilohana Plantation is a feast for all the senses. You’ll have the option to gather around the traditional fire pit and watch the roast pig emerge, a special treat to accompany the already lavish buffet of local delicacies and desserts. While torches blaze, graceful hulas and energetic fire dances will entertain you, and the ancient sea voyages that brought the original Hawaiians to these islands from Polynesia will be brought to life in story and song.

This wonderful combination tour allows you to explore Bora Bora’s magical lagoon on board a covered boat, snorkel and relax on a pristine beach. You’ll have excellent photo opportunities of the hidden, eastern side of Bora Bora, so be sure to bring your camera.

Cruise from Vaitape Bay, past beautiful Raititi Point and the enchanting islets of Motu Toopua and Motu Tapu. During your cruise, you'll be treated to some wonderful views on the crystal clear lagoon as well as the island highest peak, Mount Otemanu. Upon reaching the motu (coral islet), you'll enjoy a typical island beach break and refreshments. Relax, sunbathe, or dip your toes in the shallow waters.

Since snorkeling from the motu is limited due to shallow waters, a snorkel stop is done at another location during the tour.

Spectacular volcanoes, craters and steam vents are waiting to be explored at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that has recently reopened after a period of tumultuous volcanic activity. The landscape of Volcanoes Park has dramatically changed as the floor of the Kilauea crater sunk over 1,500 feet and the overall caldera quadrupled in size and widened by over a square mile. Today, the explosive eruptions, earthquakes and ash clouds have been replaced by remarkable changes in the summit area. The highlights of this exciting tour include visits at each of the following destinations in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park while riding to each stop in comfort on a deluxe motor coach. Walk through the Kilauea Visitors Center to receive information on the Park’s current conditions, view educational exhibits and interact with park rangers. Enjoy unforgettable views of Kilauea from Volcano House, just a short walk across the street. Kilauea’s massive size and scale is realized from this vantage point. Then you’ll be engulfed in rising steam as ground water seeps down to the hot volcanic rocks at the Steam Vents. The area between the edge of Kilauea’s caldera and the outer cliffs are treeless because the extreme heat destroys their roots; only shallow-rooted grasses and other hearty plants survive here. On you return to the pier, visit the Big Island Candies Store. Established in 1977, each of its delectable candies and cookies are hand-crafted in this factory store. View the production process and see what goes into making these world famous Hawaiian treats. All products are made from only freshly roasted Big Island macadamia nuts and pure Kona and Ka‘u coffee from farms on the Big Island. Since its founding, Big Island Candies has continuously introduced new and imaginative products that "wow" both the eyes and taste buds of its growing legion of fans. The Volcanoes National Park Tour is not to be missed and includes round-trip transportation from the pier by deluxe motorcoach.