zExploring Indonesia, Malaysia & the Phillipines

Embark Silver Discoverer for this stunning Silversea Expedition – Exploring Micronesia: A Cultural and Wildlife Journey. This afternoon, you will be introduced to your Expedition Team and attend a safety briefing. Tonight we invite you to familiarize yourself with your new home away from home, meet some of your fellow travelers and enjoy the first of many memorable meals in The Restaurant. 

Late this morning we approach Komodo, one of the 17,508 islands that comprise the Republic of Indonesia. Be on the lookout for whales cruising the straits—a perfect introduction to what is sure to be a day of witnessing wonderful wildlife in their natural habitats. Once disembarked, we will walk along forested pathways to discover the island’s natural inhabitant—the Komodo dragon—the largest lizard on earth, weighing up to 300 pounds. But don’t forget to look up, too! The surrounding forest is also home to elegant Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos, Friar Birds, and the rare, Megapode Birds—shy, chicken-sized birds who lay their eggs in the sand and leave them in the sun to incubate.

A leisurely day at sea to exchange notes with fellow travelers and take advantage of the luxurious amenities aboard Silver Discoverer. Help our birders spot some of the seabirds found far away from their nesting grounds. Enjoy a lecture or an interesting book can be good company too. Or just relax in the comfort of your suite and watch a movie on the in-suite interactive television.

(Overnight tour to Tana Toraja)
After an early departure from the ship at the Polopo Harbour, we drive 1-½ hours to Toraja where we’ll spend a full day exploring Torajaland. We start at Palawa, an ancient village inhabited by residents who adorn their homes with the horns of buffalo killed in funeral ceremonies. We’ll then continue to Bori -“the Stonehenge of Indonesia” - to see an ancient field, or rante (the field of the funeral ceremony), where 102 tall menhir stones soar up several meters above land. From here, it’s onto Lemo to visit the hanging graves and the traditional village of Kete Kesu, to see an array of ancient relics. Finally, we will visit Nanggala, where we will see original rice barns that belonged to the area’s royal family, before heading to a local hotel where we will overnight.

*This itinerary is subject to change depending if there is a funeral ceremony.*

After an early breakfast, we’ll drive south to Pare Pare to rejoin the Silver Discoverer by mid morning. Today, we depart for Borneo, so enjoy a leisurely afternoon at sea to exchange notes with fellow travelers and take advantage of the luxurious amenities aboard Silver Discoverer. Help our birders spot some of the seabirds found far away from their nesting grounds. Enjoy a lecture or an interesting book can be good company too. Or just relax in the comfort of your suite and watch a movie on the in-­‐suite interactive television.

Continue your journey at sea. 

Today we explore Kakaban Island, part of the Derawan Islands, East Kalimantan.  The island has an area of 774.2 hectares (1,913 acres) and is quite steep with limestone cliffs covered with dense jungle right down to the water's edge.

The most distinctive feature is the huge brackish water lake in the middle of the island, is a mangrove-fringed lake, slightly above sea level, where thousands of non-stinging jellyfish live making it interesting for diving. The jellyfish consist of four different species, which have lost their natural defense system because of the lack of major predators in the lake. They are: Aurelia aurita with transparent body, Tripedalia cystophora which only has a tip finger size, Mastigias papua is likes a green-brown bulb, Cassiopea ornata which is upside-down jellyfish with their tentacles upright. Similar lakes exist in the Philippines ( Siargao ) Palau, with Jellyfish Lake being the best known.

On a sprawling 438-square-kilometre undisturbed land, 70 kilometres (44 miles) west of Lahad Datu, lies one of nature’s jewels: the Danum Valley Conservation Area. Here, in this lush preserved space, you will see over 200 species of tree and a vast range of Sabah’s lowland fauna. Recognized as one of the world’s most complex ecosystem, this forest serves as a natural home for endangered wildlife species including Sumatran rhinos, bantengs (Bali cattle), Asian elephants, clouded leopards, orang-utans, and proboscis monkeys.

After an early start this morning we visit the War Memorial Park where Australian and British soldiers were imprisoned when the Japanese become worried about their vulnerability to US air strikes towards the end of WWII.

We then set off on local boats to explore the Kinabatangan, Sabah’s longest river, is one of the most exciting and easily accessible places to explore the rich biodiversity of Sabah. From Kampung Abai, near the river’s mouth, we set off by local boat in search of a large range of wildlife including Borneo’s indigenous proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, otters and countless rare and beautiful birds. We have the full day to explore. Highlights may include an exploration of the mangrove that forms part of the largest wetlands is in all of Malaysia; a visit to local villages, which are inhabited by more than 20 ethnic groups, now collectively classified as Orang Sungei; Your expedition leader will give you more information about the various options for today. These will also include an incredible OPTIONAL overnight excursion in the Borneo Rain Forest. This excursion can be booked ad paid for on board Silver Discoverer. 

Once a major port of call, Sandakan—the second largest city in Sabah, East Malaysia—played a significant part in Borneo’s history. Here, at this gateway to Eco tourism, the city’s haunting past is evoked via religious relics and gorgeous colonial mansions.

Situated on the edge of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve (one of the few remaining virgin jungles in Sabah), just 26 kilometres outside of Sandakan, is the Sepilok Orang-tan Rehabilitation Centre (SORC). The famous orangutan sanctuary was founded in 1964 to rescue orphaned and injured orang-utans and rehabilitate them for living in the forest. Here, from a rainforest platform, we will have the unique opportunity to witness the feeding of orang-utans in their natural habitat.

After an inspirational visit we continue travel to the Labuk Bay Proboscis Sanctuary, where we will see the endemic Proboscis Monkey. The Proboscis Monkey is best seen during feeding time; at other times they freely roam the 650-hectare area of their habitat. If you are lucky you will get to see other native animals, too, such as Leaf Monkeys, Macaques, and Hornbills. Along the way, witness workers going about their daily task of harvesting and weeding the Palm plantations that now occupy so much of the countryside. 

Today we will leave Malaysia behind us and head into the Philippines where our first port of call is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. Here, we will explore the 390-hectare natural park and its surrounding limestone and marble cliffs by motorized outrigger boats and paddled canoes. The dome-shaped cathedral-like caverns stretch up to 8 kilometers underneath the cliffs, and house stalagmites that rise out from the water. Coupled with the bats who cry out from their perches in the cave, and the atmosphere is certainly an eerie one. 

Coron Island, the third largest Calamian Island in northern Palawan in the Philippines, is known for several Japanese World War II shipwrecks, and is home to the indigenous Tagbanwa people, who are known as Calis, and are ruled by Rodolfo Aguila I.

Today we have various options available to us. Enjoy a varied, daylong Eco-trip that will include a tour, a minor hiking activity to Kayangan Lake, and swimming and snorkeling at Twin Peaks Reef. Another great snorkeling experience can be had at Calachuchi Coral Eden. This tour unveils Hidden Lagoon with tranquil waters surrounded by limestone formations and participants can enjoy a seafood picnic lunch on a white-sand beach at Isla Bulungan, or Expedition Island. Alternatively join the Wrecks and Reefs Experience, which will have you exploring the aforementioned shipwrecks and the coral reefs that have grown amongst them. 

A leisurely day at sea is yours to enjoy. Begin perhaps with a late breakfast and another cup of coffee or tea during the first of the day’s lectures. Join the lectures and hear fascinating tales of adventure and learn more about the region’s endemic wildlife and remarkable nature. Our knowledgeable Lecture Staff members are experts in a variety of scientific fields. 

Today we travel from Aparri to Callao to visit the Caves in Penablanca where we will witness natural skylights, stalactites, stalagmites, and columns. As part of a 300-cave system, Callao Cave offers infinite possibilities for exploration, although, to date, only a few of them have been explored. The natural cathedral is the most popular chamber in the cave and was converted into a chapel by the local people.

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea. Perhaps you’ll join a lecture, reflect on your travels thus far, or meet with new friends and share your stories. Whatever you find on your personal agenda, know that are personable staff is at the ready to serve you.

This morning, we will arrive in Taiwan and depart on a full day tour to explore the high mountains, numerous waterfalls and natural gorges—that together create the rich texture of this naturally unique ecosystem—of the spectacular 92,000-hectare Taroko National Park in the northern section of the Central Mountain Range. Highlights here include Yanzikou (Swallow Grotto), the Liwu River, Taroko Gorge and the Shakadang Trail (or Mysterious Valley Trail). In May, it is the season when Tung tree flowers bloom, making the trail a pleasant flower hallway with flowers filling the air like snowflakes.

In the afternoon, we will travel to the Pine Garden, in the MeiLun District at the northeastern corner of HuaLien City. Natural ecology, time-weathered marks and artistic activities are the garden’s unique features, with “culture innovation and value-added arts” being the core value of the park’s management who aim to become the only “Museum of Poetry” in Taiwan. Here too you can see Taiwan’s best-preserved Japanese military structure. 

Following breakfast, disembark Silver Discoverer.