A nearly two month voyage, starting in Western Australia and through the South Pacific to French Polynesia.
This is part of a series called Oceania 2025 Today, we made it to the Solomon Islands. Deb and I have really wanted to visit this area because both of our fathers were stationed here during World War II (WW II). But it’s not yet clear what my health situation is. For the past few…
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This is part of a series called Oceania 2025 Our first stop of the day was at Duke of York Island, one of 13 islands that make up a group of the same name. All of the islands are low-lying and subject to flooding. But we were here for a snorkeling expedition, so that wasn’t…
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This is part of a series called Oceania 2025 Today we visited Garove Island which sits in the Bismarck Sea as part of Papua New Guinea’s Witu Islands. It is actually the 3-mile wide caldera of an ancient volcano and we we’re able to navigate right into it. It really feels like you are in…
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This is part of a series called Oceania 2025 Today was a special day. We arrived in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea (PNG) which is the northwestern part of the country (near Indonesia) and is the capital of Sandaun Province. What made the day special was the fact that we arrived on the 50th anniversary of…
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This is part of a series called Oceania 2025 Today was the culmination of our time exploring Cenderawasih Bay and the best was saved for last. That’s because it is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with whale sharks! Of course, whale sharks are neither whales nor sharks. Instead,…
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This is part of a series called Oceania 2025 Today was quite momentous as we continue to explore Cenderawashi Bay. Early in the morning, we went to a small atoll named Pulau Matas. It was the first time the ship had ever stopped here, but it was supposed to be a great snorkeling site. As…
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This is part of a series called Oceania 2025 Today, it was time for a break. Rather than touring, snorkeling, or whatever, today we enjoyed a beach day at Mansinam Island, a large island off the coast of Monokwari, the capital of West Papua Province in Indonesia. Mansinam Island is located on Doreen Bay with…
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This is part of a series called Oceania 2025 As we continue along the archipelago, this morning we visited the village of Yenwaupnor which is located on Waigeo, one of the four main islands of Raja Ampat, West Papua. We actually arrived at 3:15 am in order for anyone who wanted to do a hike…
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This is part of a series called Oceania 2025 Today was a nature day. We visited the Misool Yapap Lagoon, nestled in the Raja Ampat archipelago. This area is truly breathtaking with its crystal clear turquoise waters and the dramatic limestone karsts (a topography created from dissolved calcium carbonate rocks that leaves stone towers, caves,…
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This is part of a series called Oceania 2025 Today we visited the small coastal town of Kokas, located in the Fakfak Regency, West Papua, Indonesia. It sits on the shores of the Bomerai Peninsula and is know for its natural beauty, postcard-worthy tropical landscapes, and a multi-cultural heritage. We started the day doing a…
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