We enjoyed two incredible presentations en route to the Solomon Islands. National Geographic expert Andy Revkin presented on his love and passion for photography, and the second presentation was given by our talented guest speaker about the history of weather and climate change. With a change of direction at lunch, we made it to Espiritu Santo just before the sun went down. The day finished off with a lovely afternoon presentation by onboard naturalist Martin Cohen.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 09 Feb 2024
Day at Sea, Vanuatu, 2/9/2024, National Geographic Orion
- Aboard the National Geographic Orion
- Australia and New Zealand
Ross Gammon, Divemaster
Born in Zimbabwe, Ross grew up between a 45000-acre Game Ranch and the small town of Victoria Falls, which is situated inside of the Victoria Falls National Park. Most of his earliest childhood memories were of the wildlife that was always on his doo...
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Utupua, Solomon Islands
We commenced our day with an early morning snorkel on a beautiful island reef. Small groups of guests moved with the gentle current on the edge of the drop-off. The marine life was abundant and diverse. After breakfast, and when the tropical storm passed, we all crossed on a Zodiac from National Geographic Orion to the small village of Utupua where we were greeted by enthusiastic locals. A group of ‘warriors’, young and old, ran at each Zodiac in an exhilarating and light-hearted display. Everyone was thrilled with the show. We were treated to a welcome song and cultural dance, then we presented educational material to the chief and village teacher. An exploration of the village followed where we got to know the people, their lifestyle, and made new friends.
1/1/2025
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Nendo, Solomon Islands
What an amazing way to start the year! We woke up to the sound of rain pattering on the ocean as we cruised toward the beach of Nendo in the Solomon Islands. Piling into our BAT mobiles (Best Available Transport), we headed up the mountain for an hour to reach the remote village of Noipe, rarely visited by outsiders. The locals gave us a warm, vibrant welcome—dancing, singing, and sharing delicious local dishes. They also showed us their traditional crafts, demonstrating skills passed down through generations. This included the creation of tevau, feather money, an extremely rare art and currency still used in the Solomons today. Back on board, the adventure continued as we encountered a small pod of sperm whales, including a mother and calf. As we continued cruising, we made our way to circumnavigate Tinakula Volcano. With a stormy sunset painting the sky, it was a powerful, unforgettable way to end the day. What a first day of the new year—full of new sights, sounds, and experiences we’ll never forget!