Easter Island to Papeete, Tahiti - 11/1/10In the Wake of the Bounty: 17-night itinerary, November 1 to 18, 2010.
This South Pacific voyage is truly a string of island pearls. We’ll put our Zodiac boats to work so you can plant your personal flag on Dulcie Island and Henderson Island — both uninhabited — with rare birds and endemic flora; snorkel among pristine coral atolls; and explore remote beaches. You’ll visit Pitcairn Island, where mutinous Fletcher Christian landed HMS Bounty and Raroia, Tuamotus, final destination for Thor Heyerdahl and Kon Tiki.
Join Special Guest Lecturer Charlie Urbanowicz on this voyage.
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| Cruise OnlyDay
01 | Easter Island, Chile November 1, 2010
Arrive in Easter Island, Chile and check into your included hotel.
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02 | Easter Island, Chile November 2, 2010
Morning at leisure. Prior to embarkation, enjoy a highlight tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site en route to the ship. The indigenous name of Easter Island is Rapa Nui, where a society of Polynesian origin settled about A.D. 300. From the 10th to the 16th century, this society erected enormous stone figures known as moai that continue to fascinate world travelers. (Zodiac landing or touring) | Day
03 | At Sea November 3, 2010
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04 | At Sea November 4, 2010
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05 | Ducie Island November 5, 2010
Arrive at the small, uninhabited island of Ducie, a coral atoll that is haven for hundreds of thousands of Murphy’s and Kermadac petrals. Located 350 miles east of Pitcairn Island, Ducie is the first land visited sailing west across the South Pacific. Take Zodiac excursions ashore to walk along the atoll’s perimeter and view its unique local flora and fauna. (Zodiac landing or touring) | Day
06 | Henderson Island November 6, 2010
Experience this rarely visited island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Four bird species are found nowhere else – the Henderson Flightless Rail, Henderson Fruit Dove, Henderson Lorikeet and Henderson Reed-warbler. The uplifted coral island also harbors endemic plant, snail and butterfly species. Enjoy bird watching with the ship’s naturalist. Look for signs of early Polynesian settlement in the 12th and 15th centuries. Snorkel or tour in a Zodiac. (Zodiac landing or touring)
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07 | Pitcairn Island November 7, 2010
Arrive at famous Pitcairn Island where Fletcher Christian landed the HMS Bounty in 1790. The only inhabited island in the Pitcairn Group, Pitcairn is home to 48 residents. Many are descendents of the mutineers and their Polynesian wives – many bear the surname Christian. Go ashore by Zodiac or local longboat to be greeted by these islanders. Stroll through their village and enjoy the opportunity to meet them. (Zodiac landing or touring) | Day
08 | At Sea November 8, 2010
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09 | Mangareva Island, French Polynesia November 9, 2010
Enjoy a flower lei welcome with local music, dance presentation and fruit tasting upon arrival at the main village of Rikitea. Over 1,000 miles from Tahiti, Mangareva was the inspiration for James Michener’s novel, Return to Paradise, The island’s lagoon is farmed for superior-quality pearls, the main natural resource. Explore Rikitea, population 872, to see the imposing St Michael Cathedral, dating from 1848. Also see St Anne Chapel and many other stone buildings erected when Catholic missionaries arrived in the 19th century. This afternoon walk up the hill to the ancient convent or enjoy snorkeling. (Zodiac landing or touring) | Day
10 | Marutea Sud November 10, 2010
Discover four uninhabited islets adjacent to Marutea Sud – each with the classic round form of a mature coral atoll. Learn how atolls reach this state as the ship circles them. Admire the perfect necklace-like ring of coral encircling a lagoon – with no entry passage. Seas and weather permitting, take a Zodiac ashore to go beachcombing, birding watching or snorkeling. (Zodiac landing or touring) | Day
11 | Pukarua, Tuamotus November 11, 2010
Visit the remote atoll of Pukarua – over 10 miles long and just 2.8 miles wide. Its interior oblong lagoon has no reef entry. Conditions permitting, take a Zodiac to the only village of Marautagaroa. Enjoy a flower lei welcome, Tuamotuan dancing and demonstrations of local arts and crafts. Sample local foods and coconuts in this tiny village of 100 inhabitants. See the Church of Pukarua and its stained glass, go snorkeling to spot giant tridacna clams or stroll the beach. (Zodiac landing or touring) | Day
12 | At Sea November 12, 2010
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13 | Raroia, Tuamotus November 13, 2010
Explore this oval-shaped coral atoll and its tiny village of Ikitaki with 160 inhabitants. Take a Zodiac ashore for a village welcome, walks, and later snorkeling in the lagoon. (Zodiac landing or touring) | Day
14 | Fakarava November 14, 2010
Arrive at Fakarava, the second largest atoll in the Tuamotu Islands and a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Visit the main village of Rotoava for a flower lei welcome on a pristine beach. Enjoy Polynesian music, local food tasting and demonstrations of copra preparation and pareo-(sarong)-tying. Enjoy a walking tour of Rotoava to see the Church of Niau, local cemetery and lighthouse. Learn how the 700 inhabitants live in their semi-open-air houses. Enjoy a beach barbecue, prepared by both the ship and local hosts. This afternoon shop for black pearls and handcrafted goods. Explore the island further by foot or Zodiac or snorkel in the large lagoon. (Zodiac landing or touring) | Day
15 | Ahe November 15, 2010
Experience the beautiful coral atoll of Ahe, its white-sand beaches and sparkling lagoon. Snorkel, walk the beaches or watch for seabirds. Visit the only village of Tenukupara – population 100 – to see its flowered walkways, church, city hall and pearl farming activities. (Zodiac landing or touring) | Day
16 | Rangiroa November 16, 2010
Spend a full day at Rangiroa, which means “vast sky” because the atoll is so large that it has its own horizon! Rangiroa is one of the largest atolls in the world – and one of the greatest snorkeling destinations. The turquoise and jade-green lagoon is encircled for more than 110 miles by nearly 250 small islets called motus. Take Zodiacs ashore to visit the Gauguin Pearl Farm. Learn how pearl shells are inseminated with a tiny grain of sand to grow lustrous black pearls. This afternoon enjoy a stroll through one of the two main villages of Avatoru or Tiputa. Visit the church, craft centers, small shops, restaurants, and other attractions. Then enjoy snorkeling in the crystalline waters filled with a plethora of multi-hued tropical fish and spectacular corals. (Zodiac landing or touring) | Day
17 | Mataiva November 17, 2010
Discover Mataiva, the westernmost atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago. It has a vast lace-like network of coral structures within its small lagoon – several small islets shelter extensive colonies of seabirds. Go ashore at the only village of Pahua for a warm welcome from its villagers, numbering about 250. Enjoy a traditional lei greeting, dance performances and local food-tasting. Take a walking tour of the village, divided into two segments by French Polynesia’s longest bridge. See the whitewashed Catholic church, a shipwreck on the beach and landmark Turtle Rock. Go snorkeling this afternoon, conditions permitting. (Zodiac landing or touring) | Day
18 | Papeete November 18, 2010
Disembark or continue your journey with the next voyage. |
All meals are included aboard the ship. |
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