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Peregrine Travel Centre

Papua New Guinea: Customs & Craftsmen (Darwin to Cairns)

Papua New Guinea: Customs & Craftsmen (Darwin to Cairns)

From AUD $19,340

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Description

Join the Coral Adventurer in 2019 for the inaugural ‘Customs and Craftsmen’ art themed expedition of Papua New Guinea, West Papua and the Maluku Islands. This exciting itinerary will spend a fully immersive 22 nights exploring remote villages and historic towns, focusing on art and culture and interacting with the local communities along the way.

We will be joined by curator and expert on art, history and Pacific and Melanesian culture, Arthur Beau Palmer, who will be offering his expertise as a guest lecturer throughout the voyage. Arthur has been travelling to Papua New Guinea and the Indonesian islands since 1960, with his work as an anthropologist, ethnologist, and art collector. Arthur will be on hand to connect us with the tribal customs and artefacts of the region.

Trip Name
Papua New Guinea: Customs & Craftsmen (Darwin to Cairns)
Days
23
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship Length: 93.4 meters Passenger Capacity: 120 (60 staterooms) Built: 2017 Our brand new ship is built to take you closer to unspoilt vistas in comfort, style and safety. A culmination of two years of design and three decades of passion for expedition cruising – Coral Expeditions is proud to invite you to experience the Coral Adventurer. BIGGER IS NOT BETTER At a time when cruise ships get larger and glitzier, we remain stubbornly compact and intimate. Our ships are designed to take you to unspoilt destinations not accessible to large ships.  We want you to have the luxury of space, dine with whom you please, or find your quiet corner on deck.  So we have limited the Coral Adventurer to 60 spacious cabins.  This preserves the intimate atmosphere we are known for without sacrificing the stability and comfort of a true ocean going vessel. BUILT FOR DISCOVERY The Coral Adventurer features our trademark dual ‘Xplorer’ tenders cradled on a hydraulic platform slung off the back of the ship, enabling our guests to go ashore in comfort and ease.  The shallow draft of the ship enables us to go closer to shore than larger ships. Together with our renowned expedition team, our new ship will offer the most advanced expedition capabilities of any small ship afloat. BUILT FOR COMFORT With active stabilisers dampening sea motion, mostly balcony cabins, and interiors designed with the colours and textures of tropical Queensland, the Coral Adventurer is a comfortable ship.  She features promenade decks, generous communal areas that accommodate all guests, a passenger elevator, and an open kitchen where you can observe our chefs whip up small batch cuisine from locally sourced ingredients. BUILT FOR PERSONAL SERVICE The Coral Adventurer will continue our proud tradition of Australian flagged vessels with friendly and professional Australian crew.  Our onboard atmosphere remains refreshingly informal and intimate.  Take your seat at our bridge lounge, chat with the captain at your leisure or accompany our chefs on a market tour. Food and wine features * Single seating dining area with communal ‘wine table’ finished with Australian stone; serving buffet breakfast and lunch, and multi-course table d’hote dinners * Showcase galley visible to guests for fresh small-batch cuisine featuring Australian produce * Multiple indoor and outdoor bars, including our Explorer bar on the sundeck for sunset drinks with 180 degree views * Curated wine cellar featuring modestly priced boutique wines for daily drinking and exceptional vintage Australian reds. Guest comfort * All outside guest cabins with en-suite bathrooms; majority have private balcony * Active stabilisers to dampen sea motion * Gym equipped with elliptical trainers and treadmills * Passenger elevator * Wi-Fi available in all guest areas

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: DARWIN
Board Coral Adventurer at 7:30 am for a 9:00am departure. Departing from Darwin’s Fort Hill Wharf, ready to begin our voyage toward Banda Neira Island.
Day 2 - DAY 2: AT SEA
As we cross the Timor Sea you will have time to relax and explore the Coral Adventurer, enjoy the Captain’s welcome drinks, and join presentations with our Expedition Team and guest lecturer Arthur Beau Palmer.
Day 3 - DAY 3: BANDA NEIRA
Coral Expeditions Spice IslandsAn armada of Kora Kora Canoes flanking the Coral Adventurer welcome us to Banda Neira. Once ashore we explore the old colonial town, and tour the nutmeg plantations, museums and markets. There is a great opportunity to snorkel over the lava flow of Gunung Api volcano.Dinner tonight will be hosted under the stars at the 17th-century Fort Belgica, where we will be joined by local artists displaying their arts and crafts and dancing. We will dine on Bandanese cuisine as the sun sets over the fort.
Day 4 - DAY 4: SAPARUA & MOLANA ISLAND
Saparua has a relaxed and traditional environment, with very few tourists. The Dutch East Indies Company established Fort Duurstedt in 1691, and the island is full of history. The locals greet us with flowers and a “welcome dance” before we join our guides and guest lecturer for a tour of the fort and village.In the afternoon, we visit the beautiful white sands of Molana Island.
Day 5 - DAY 5: SOUTH HALMAHERA
We spend today cruising South Halmahera, stopping at the lush mountainous islands and snorkelling the colourful fringing reefs with their abundant marine life.
Day 6 - DAY 6: TERNATE
Boarding the Xplorer, we cruise to Ternate and journey to the Sultan’s Palace. Built in 1834 and restored in a semi-colonial style, the Sultan’s Place still houses the Sultan’s family. On a guided walk throughout the palace grounds, we view numerous artefacts from the Dutch & Portuguese eras and learn about the ‘magic of the crown’.During our afternoon exploration of Ternate, we enjoy a high tea with a view over the islands, and learn of the clove plantation history. A visit to the unique Fort Tolukko which presides over the foreshore gives impressive views of volcanic Mt Gamalama.
Day 7 - DAY 7: TOBELO
Awake in Tobelo Bay surrounded by lush green islands and a jigsaw of coral atolls. Today we visit the elementary school and the communal House or Hibualamo, where we are entertained with cultural performances. We will also have the opportunity to visit the Tobelo markets today.
Day 8 - DAY 8: AT SEA / AMSTERDAM ISLAND
We spend the morning crossing the Halmahera Sea before being welcomed to Amsterdam Island with an enthusiastic and colourful grand reception. Amsterdam Island is known for WW2 history, with the shoreline and sea floor displaying remnants of shipwrecks just waiting to be explored.
Day 9 - DAY 9: AURI ISLANDS
The Auri Islands lie within Cenderawasih Bay (Cenderawasih means “Paradise” in the Bahasa language). Here we relax on beautiful beaches, snorkel the reefs, visit the local fishing camp and explore the islands’ perimeter on board the zodiacs.
Day 10 - DAY 10: KWATISORE
We enter Cenderawasih Marine Park and go in search of the biggest fish in the sea, the extraordinary whale shark. It is possible to swim with these majestic animals and we may have a chance to snorkel among them. Visit Kwatisore Village to learn about the local culture through traditional dances and games and listen to their talented string band. Local handicraft will also be available for viewing or purchase at the market.
Day 11 - DAY 11: MAMBERAMO RIVER
Today, the Coral Adventurer enters the Mamberamo River. This vast river is the Amazon of New Guinea, an almost completely unexplored region that is home to villages and tribes whose culture is still relatively undisturbed. Our visit to this raw and primeval area will be exploratory, with the potential to visit local warrior tribes and enjoy the wilderness surroundings.
Day 12 - DAY 12: JAYAPURA
Known as ‘Hollandia’ until 1963, Jayapura is now a melting pot of sights and exotic aromas. Visit Lake Sentani, home to villagers famed for their distinctive art, and cruise on a longboat to see the stilt towns built over the tranquil lake. We will be welcomed at Asei Village by the local dancers and their accompanying traditional instruments, and view bark paintings and other artefacts.
Day 13 - DAY 13: VANIMO
This morning we enter Papua New Guinea at Vanimo. In Vanimo village, locals put on cultural demonstrations including sing sings, traditional clay pot making and the application of tribal tattoos.
Day 14 - DAY 14: SEPIK RIVER
At first light we enter the mighty Sepik River and visit the village of Bien where they are famous for their arts and crafts. A true Sepik welcome awaits us as we step ashore. Embrace this opportunity to purchase unique carvings and art direct from the artist.As we depart the Sepik River, enjoy the views as we sail past the active volcano at Manam Island.
Day 15 - DAY 15: MADANG
Explore Madang, famed for its waterfront setting and colonial history. On a town tour visit the Madang Museum, Coast Watchers Monument, and local village of Bil Bil, famed for its pottery.This morning we welcome local artists on board for a private art exhibition of their work – guests will have the chance to mingle with the artists and talk about their techniques. Later guests will be able to view Sepik art on display at Sugen Aben Park, and view demonstrations of bilum bag making and as well as other handicraft.Experienced curator Arthur Beau Palmer will be on hand to help in the selection of pieces you may like to purchase.
Day 16 - DAY 16: DREGERHAFEN
Today we visit Dregerhafen in Morobe, famous for Tami bowls and timber paddles. We will explore the village of Gingala where a high-spirited welcome will be guaranteed. The markets will be open, and we get the chance to walk through the village with the locals. After lunch, we enjoy snorkelling, diving and kayaks in the blue waters of the lagoon. Finish the day with drinks on the sundeck and our sundeck BBQ.
Day 17 - DAY 17: BUNA AND SANANANDA
The battle of Buna-Gona witnessed some of the fiercest fighting during the final stages of WWII. During the war, Buna was the trailhead to the Kokoda Track. Formally known as the ‘Buna Kokoda-Moresby Track’, our expedition team and local guides accompany us through this dense jungle landscape to discover Buna’s dramatic history.Later we stop over at Sanananda village to visit the war museum and enjoy Sanananda beautiful tropical gardens.
Day 18 - DAY 18: TUFI FJORD
Picturesque Tufi Fjord is composed of deep inlets, known locally as ‘rias’, formed through ancient volcanic activity. As we enter MacLaren Harbour, we join local guides on outrigger canoes as they paddle us from the harbour to their remote village in the rainforest. We will enjoy the village’s hospitality, with unique cultural performances and art markets.We later explore through the fiords, soaking up the spectacular views before enjoying snorkelling or a little relaxation at a nearby resort.
Day 19 - DAY 19: KITAVA, TROBRIAND ISLANDS
The Trobriand Islands in the Milne Bay province are historically known as the ‘Islands of Love’. The indigenous population of the islands live a peaceful and very traditional lifestyle, ensuring their culture remains unchanged. We will visit Kitava Island and visit the excellent markets there, which will reveal great artefacts.
Day 20 - DAY 20: DOBU AND FERGUSSON ISLANDS
Join our Expedition Team on a walk to the Dei Dei Hot Springs on Ferguson Island, where guides share the mythical and spiritual tales of these hot water and mud springs.At Dobu Island learn of the history of the Kula Ring. View the decorative art adorning the local houses and canoes, and meet the local children as they perform a traditional dance. Later there will be snorkelling at the Bubbling Springs Reef.
Day 21 - DAY 21: SAMARAI
Today we say farewell to Papua New Guinea from the small island of Samarai, at the southern tip of Milne Bay.Though hard to fathom, in its colonial prime, the tiny island of Samarai was once the region’s most important port. We have the option to join a guided tour of the colonial settlement or head to Deika Deika Island in the Xplorer for a leisurely swim.
Day 22 - DAY 22: AT SEA
As we make our way across the Coral Sea back to Cairns the Expedition Team and guest lecturer hold presentations re-capping our adventure. Reminisce with new-found friends at the Captain’s farewell drinks.
Day 23 - DAY 23: CAIRNS
This morning at 7:00 am we arrive at Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal disembarking at 8-8:30 am. Farewell the end of your adventure discovering the culture and arts of New Guinea.
Day 24 - Please note:
This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition, we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel. The itinerary includes the possibility of interaction with wild animals and this interaction is subject to the presence of this wildlife on the day.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
08-10-201930-10-2019AUD $19,340Coral Deck Stateroom
08-10-201930-10-2019AUD $20,940Promenade Deck Stateroom
08-10-201930-10-2019AUD $22,740Explorer Deck Balcony Stateroom
08-10-201930-10-2019AUD $23,440Bridge Deck Balcony Stateroom
08-10-201930-10-2019AUD $27,540Bridge Deck Balcony Suite
08-10-201930-10-2019AUD $29,010Coral Deck Stateroom Sole
08-10-201930-10-2019AUD $31,410Promenade Deck Stateroom Sole
08-10-201930-10-2019AUD $34,110Explorer Deck Balcony Stateroom Sole

Inclusions

    • Be a part of the inaugural Customs and Craftsmen expedition
    • Enjoy a private onboard art exhibition in Madang and mingle with the artists
    • Interact with local craftsmen and artists at remote villages and markets
    • Visit the Sultan’s Palace and enjoy high tea in Ternate with views over the islands
    • Enjoy high-spirited cultural performances from villages throughout the voyage
    • Snorkel, kayak, and dive pristine coral reefs, rich with tropical marine life
    • Encounter Whale Sharks at Cenderawasih Bay
    • Experience a Bandanese dinner under the stars at Fort Belgica

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