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Our South Seas adventure begins on the island of Tahiti, where we board the M/V Spirit of Oceanus, a premier ocean going vessel and a Quest favourite. Our first port is magical Bora Bora, one of the South Pacific's most scenic and serene islands. Surrounded by a clear-water lagoon, its two iconic 2,000-foot mountains can be seen for miles around.
We'll explore the Cook Islands, named for Captain James Cook who visited the islands in 1773. On Aitutaki we'll see evidence of Polynesian civilization dating from 900AD and on Palmerston we'll meet the descendants of the English ship carpenter, William Marsters, who arrived in 1863. They still speak Old English, with a distinct Gloucester accent. Atiu, the "land of birds," is an outer island where we may see one of the rarest birds in the world, the Kakerori flycatcher.
Crossing the International Date Line, it's on to the Vava'u Island group in the Kingdom of Tonga. Remote and truly unspoiled, the island are home to abundant sea life with over 100 species of colorful tropical fish, giant clams, manta rays, sea turtles and spinner dolphins. Those in search of the endemic Tongan whistler can hope to find this beautiful bird here.
We then head into the remote Lau islands of Fiji. These are quintessentially perfect South Pacific islands, sparsely populated and surrounded by clear turquoise waters with perfect visibility. On Fulaga, we'll meet traditional carvers, skilled at building outrigger canoes and creating ceremonial wooden bowls, from which the traditional welcome drink of kava is served. We'll sail to the small island of Beqa, where we'll watch in disbelief as Sawau tribesmen walk over searing hot stones in a fire-walking ceremony before enjoying world class snorkeling in Beqa's crystal clear waters.
During more
the voyage, we will spend leisurely days at sea as we cruise between islands. This is the time to embrace the warm, salty air of the vast Pacific from the comfort of a deck chair, mingle with friends, or attend a lecture by one of the expert natural history and cultural guest speakers. Our South Pacific adventure comes to an end in Lautoka, Fiji, where we bid farewell to these remote and spectacular islands.
Join us on our winter escape to Polynesia, where the culture is as warm and enchanting as the surrounding natural world.
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| FACTS: |
| • | 17-day trip |
| • | Maximum 120 passengers |
| • | Start in Papeete,Tahiti and finish in Lautoka, Fiji |
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| HIGHLIGHTS: |
| • | Looking for one of the rarest birds in the world, the Kakerori flycatcher |
| • | Exploring the small villages of Huahine, the Garden Island |
| • | Meeting local villagers in Tonga |
| • | Snorkeling in crystal clear waters |
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| ACTIVITY LEVEL: |
| • | Easy to Moderate. Some landings will be on regular piers for this voyage, and others on beaches, so anyone with a reasonable level of fitness should be able to take part in all activities. Some of the shore excursions will involve a certain amount of walking, so you should bring comfortable shoes. |
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| SHIP: M/V Spirit of Oceanus |
| LIMIT: 120 passengers | |
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| ITINERARY IN BRIEF: |
| Day 1: |
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Arrive in Papeete |
| Day 2: |
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Papeete, board ship |
| Day 3: |
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Bora Bora, French Polynesia |
| Day 4: |
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Maupiti |
| Day 5: |
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At sea |
| Day 6: |
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Atiu, Cook Islands |
| Day 7: |
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Aitutaki |
| Day 8: |
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Rarotonga |
| Day 9: |
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Palmerston |
| Day 10: |
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At sea |
| Day 11: |
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Niue Island |
| Day 12: |
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Cross the International Date Line |
| Day 13: |
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Vava'u, Tonga |
| Day 14: |
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Fulaga, Lau Group, Fiji |
| Day 15: |
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Matuku, Laus |
| Day 16: |
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Beqa Island, Suva |
| Day 17: |
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Disembark in Lautoka and depart |
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 Jean is a very well travelled person who follows her natural history interests to many parts of the world. Jean is a Past President of the Ontario Field Ornithologists. She has led Quest land tours to Honduras, Cuba, and Point Pelee and Quest expedition cruises to Georgian Bay, Costa Rica and Panama, and the High Arctic of Canada and Norway.
416-633-5666 / 1-800-387-1483
 New Zealand
Kiwis and Keas
Length: 15 days
Start: Auckland, New Zealand
Finish: Auckland, New Zealand
 French Polynesia
The Marquesas
• Independent Voyage •
Length: 14 days
Start: Papeete, Tahiti
Finish: Papeete, Tahiti
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