After clearing Customs on board ahead of our first stop in Fiji, National Geographic Orion guests were treated to a very special afternoon at the rarely visited village of Waitabu on the island of Taveuni. This is the third largest island in Fiji, and it is known as the garden island thanks to its lush and extensive forestation. Villagers conducted a ritual kava ceremony for us, and we were told that the schoolchildren practiced for three months ahead of their exuberant performances today. There was time to stretch our legs on the walk to a photogenic waterfall in Bouma National Heritage Park for a refreshing swim in the river.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 26 Jun 2023
Taveuni, Fiji, 6/26/2023, National Geographic Orion
- Aboard the National Geographic Orion
- French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Andrew Peacock, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Andrew was born in Adelaide, South Australia and (mis)spent his youth surfing and kayaking in the ocean, as is the case for many Aussies! After graduating from medical school, he spent a year working as a surgical resident in Santa Barbara, Californi...
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At Sea
Another day out on the big blue as we transited from the Cook Islands to our final leg of the trip, French Polynesia. As we eagerly awaited some time in the crystal waters of the Society Islands, we had plenty of activities to keep us engaged. Some of us started the day with a stretch class in the gentle early morning sun, while others opted to rest up for the next few days. The day progressed with a series of great talks, tours of the galley, and the occasional seabird drifting by. After dinner we were treated to a National Geographic Orion favorite, our world-renowned crew show - and this was one of the best. A relaxing day at sea turned into a high energy evening with great crew performances and one of the best attended dance parties in ship history. It was a truly memorable end to the day.