Overnight, National Geographic Orion brought us from Misool in Raja Ampat to the town of Kokas in West Papua, Indonesia. We started our day with a trip into the town, where we were greeted with a welcome celebration from the local people. We had the chance to walk around the village and get a sense of the local culture, taste some of the foods, and talk to the people who live in this fishing village. Kokas has a long and interesting history that includes important sites from World War II. Guests visited a Japanese bunker and tunnel system and saw old cannons left behind in the town. After exploring for a couple hours, we regrouped and headed out in our Zodiacs to see the ancient rock art of the Berau Gulf. Archeologists are still debating the exact age of the red ochre paintings, but it is agreed that they are thousands of years old. The paintings were stenciled on limestone cliffs with powdered natural dyes, leaving behind impressions of hands, fish, boomerangs, and geometric patterns.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 08 Dec 2022
Kokas, Indonesia, 12/8/2022, National Geographic Orion
- Aboard the National Geographic Orion
- Indonesia & Papua New Guinea
Lisa Hornak, Naturalist/Photographer
Lisa Hornak is a visual journalist and filmmaker based in San Diego, CA, who has worked for newspapers, magazines and wire services worldwide since 2004. She focuses her work on women’s issues, human rights and the impacts of climate change. Her awar...
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Exploring Indonesia: Bali, Raja Ampat and Papua New Guinea
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At Sea
We are incredibly lucky to have the team from Woodland Zoo onboard for this voyage as they have close ties to the villages of Papua New Guinea. Today, Guest Speaker Dr. Lisa Dabek, Senior Director of the Tree Conservation Program, shared with us her experiences in saving the Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo found on the Huon Peninsula. We learned about the tree kangaroos’ feeding and breeding behaviors and the great work they are doing in saving these unique marsupials. Naturalist Heather then took us on a journey into the very misunderstood world of insects and arachnids in her presentation, “Leaving a legacy when you are less than an inch tall.” After a delicious lunch prepared by our gourmet chefs, our knowledge of the undersea world was then broadened with Undersea Specialist Brett taking us on a deep dive into the darkness of the big blue, shining a light on the creatures that live within its depths. Our sea day of learning was then finished off with Guest Speaker Nancy Philips’ presentation, looking at the intersect of human health and the health of the surrounding environment in a sensitive and developing nation. During cocktail hour our onboard National Geographic Photographer Krista and Photo Instructor Fiona held a photo feedback session for those wanting to sharpen their photography and editing skills. It was a very full and satisfying day at sea on board National Geographic Orion.