For centuries, travellers have been drawn to Asia.
Today it’s a more captivating destination than ever, and on this incredible expedition through the islands of Micronesia,
Indonesia and New Guinea, you’ll find there is always much much more of this
wonderful world to uncover.
First stop on your exploration of the mysterious islands of Indoneisa are Pulau's uninhabited Fanna Island, and Sonsorol Island, home to just 25 inhabitants. Here you'll get the chance to snorkel or dive among thousands of iridescent blue chromis, while birders
will get their chance at spotting the Black-naped Tern, Red-footed
Booby, and frigatebirds.
A day cruising the Philippine Sea then gives you the opportunity to relax, take advantage of the on-board luxuries, and maybe enjoy one of the wellness seminars, or a talk on the Indonesian craft of Ikat
weaving, before docking the following day at the volanic island of Ternate.
Steeped in history, the Portuguese, Spaniards and Dutch have all vied for Ternate's control over the years due to the spices grown in the Moluccas. It's here too that Alfred Russel Wallace wrote his pioneering account of evolution by natural selection, known as the "Ternate Essay". Once disembarked, jeepneys will whisk you on a sightseeing tour of Benteng Oranye, the remains of a massive 1607 Dutch fortress; Kedaton, the Sultan's mosque and Palace, which still serves as a family home today; and, time permitting, a visit to the oldest clove plantation.
Moving on to Raja Ampat, a vast archipelago estimated to have up to 10 times the marine life of
the Caribbean and Mediterranean Sea combined, and home to possibly 70% of the known coral
species on the planet. This makes the region a much-celebrated snorkeling and diving hotspot, but there's also plenty of watersports and opportunities for beachcombing here too.
It may be hard to tear yourself away from the beauty of Raja Ampat, but this is is an exploration of the many sides of the South Pacific and the adventure continues through New Guinea, Here, immerse yourself in its ancient rock paintings, colonial history and intriuging cultures, before crossing the Arafura Sea for one of the voyage's highlights, a visit to the Asmat region.
This is a vast area of
lowland swamp and rainforest, where many villages, including their streets, are built entirely on
stilts. The Asmat people, once feared for their headhunting and
cannibalism, are these days much more welcoming and now more famous their spectacular Papuan woodcarvings. |  |
 
|
After
a few days visiting more of Indonesia's island idylls, including Banda
and its forts, markets and plantations; and beautiful Alor Island with
its crystal-clear waters, pure white beaches, traditional villages and unique
Moko drum culture; you'll set foot on Komodo Island and come
face-to-face with the huge Komodo Dragon, the world's largest living lizard, and the elegant
Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos, Helmeted Friarbirds, the Orange-footed Megapode and
Sambar deer. |
Finally, your adventure heads to Sumba in the Lesser Sunda Islands, an area known for its intricate
Ikat fabric, distinctive architecture and sculptured stone tombs. Having resisted
the advances of the modern age, it's a
fascinating island to explore, especially West Sumba where ancient tribal rites
are best preserved, and a wonderful end to a journey that's taken in all the incredible sights, sounds, cultures, customs and people across Indonesia.