zRemote Cultures of the Coral Sea 17nt

Embark the Silver Discoverer for this stunning Silversea Expedition – Remote Cultures of the Coral Sea. 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. 

Marovo Lagoon is the world’s largest saltwater lagoon. Described by American author, James A. Michener, as “one of the seven natural wonders of the world,” Marovo is home to a double barrier reef system, and is one of two sites in the Solomon’s currently under consideration for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Though you won’t see dancing anywhere near Marovo Lagoon (the Seventh-Day Adventist church has banned it as they believe dancing causes pregnancy), diving or snorkeling at the site will expose incredible reef drop-offs that are characterized by gorgonian fan forests, black coral gardens, giant clams, sea turtles, manta rays, eels, barracuda, octopus, morays, gray whaler sharks, and shoals of lion- and pelagic fish. Meanwhile, bird watchers can look for osprey, Brahmany kite and kingfisher, and hikers can venture into the forests on one of the many surrounding islands.

Kasolo Island is more popularly known as Kennedy Island because it is the historically famous landmark where JFK was marooned during World War II. Amid great publicity, the remains of the sunken PT-109 warship on which he was stationed, were discovered in nearby Blackett Strait. Today, Kennedy Island is a popular dive site for wreck seekers. 

Welcome to the land of Mystery, Papua New Guinea, which forms the eastern half of the world’s second largest island.

The islands of New Britain (sometimes called the "Island Jewel”) offer some of the world’s most popular diving and snorkeling spots. We arrive in the provincial capital, Rabaul, in the evening, just in time to witness Melanesia magic at its best as we are welcomed by a traditional Baining fire performance—a nocturnal dance performed around a huge fire in traditional Tuk Tuk masks.

The following day, we’ll board local buses for a half-day tour of Rabaul and Kokopo. We’ll travel along a road built by the Singaporean and Burmese POWs under the direction of the Japanese and tour sites including a Japanese submarine base and barge tunnels. We’ll also visit what was once Queen Emma’s estate, of which just the steps remain.

Welcome to the land of Mystery, Papua New Guinea, which forms the eastern half of the world’s second largest island.

The islands of New Britain (sometimes called the "Island Jewel”) offer some of the world’s most popular diving and snorkeling spots. We arrive in the provincial capital, Rabaul, in the evening, just in time to witness Melanesia magic at its best as we are welcomed by a traditional Baining fire performance—a nocturnal dance performed around a huge fire in traditional Tuk Tuk masks.

The following day, we’ll board local buses for a half-day tour of Rabaul and Kokopo. We’ll travel along a road built by the Singaporean and Burmese POWs under the direction of the Japanese and tour sites including a Japanese submarine base and barge tunnels. We’ll also visit what was once Queen Emma’s estate, of which just the steps remain.

Tatau, in the Tarbar islands, is our next port of call. Here, we’ll meet the friendly islanders who practice Malagan, a traditional rite where sacred masks are made and honored. Production of these masks is kept a secret until they’re displayed to the whole community with a celebration of singing and dancing.

The divers and snorkelers among us are sure to enjoy exploring the reef cover around the island, while our land-lovers can shop for carved souvenirs and appreciate the islanders’ presentations of dance and song. 

You’re truly in for a treat when you visit Kapingamarangi, the most southerly atoll of the country and of the Caroline Islands. Using our Zodiacs we will cross the five-nautical-mile lagoon to visit the small community of islanders. Kapingamaringi consists of over 33 wooded islets on the east and mostly submerged underwater on the west side of the lagoon. We’ll have the chance to visit locals’ homes, try fresh coconut milk and munch on the orange pandanus fruit. The islanders are renowned for their woodcarving skills and today you have the opportunity to pick up a rare souvenir that will remind you of our explorations of this very remote part of the world.

The crystal-clear waters are all yours to enjoy, so swim and snorkel away as you watch the handmade sailing canoes carrying dried pandanus leaves used for mat weaving.

Nukuoro is one of the most stunning islets in the South Pacific with a population of less than 500. The island is completely remote with no airstrip, just occasional boats sailing by every few months. Embark on a magnificent tour, through the greenery and past the taro patches. Discover where and how copra is prepared and find out where taro, bananas and breadfruit are grown. You can also, explore Nukuoro on your own and interact with the friendly locals. Divers and snorkelers alike may see a hawksbill turtle, schools of barracuda, moray eels and many cowrie shells.

Ponape or Pohnpei is a volcanic island whose quarries produced natural prismatic columns used to construct the ancient kingdoms at Nan Madol. Explore the ruins of Nan Madol and its crisscross canals leading to some of the 100 man-made islets. With the help our friendly anthropologist, we’ll learn the history of the kingdom and its rise and fall.

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

Truk Lagoon, also known as Chuuk Lagoon, is a little over 1,100 miles northeast of New Guinea. This coral atoll is still in its coral formation stages; so many basalt islands remain above the lagoon’s surface. Outside the protective reef, there are over 30 coral sand islands. Truk is considered one of the top 10 diving sites in the world, so the scenery is ideal for diving. You can also explore the 50-feet deep wreckage of a sunken Japanese battleship, which is believed to house the remains of fighter aircraft, bulldozers and motorcycles.

Visit the three main villages of the island including Pollap Attol, Tamatam and Fanadik for a unique cultural experience. Besides the beautiful and peaceful setting, it’s our chance to immerse ourselves in local culture as we meet the village chiefs and enjoy a traditional welcome performance. We will learn more about navigation techniques and what it takes to live and survive on such an isolated and remote atoll. Explore the lagoon’s underwater world with a handmade canoe. To finish the day off right, join the cheerful locals in the "Love dance."

Satawal, "The Island of Navigators," is known for its early canoes and traditional navigational techniques. In fact, the best-known Satawalmaster navigator Mau Piailug served as a teacher to the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s founding members. Get greeted by the children of this magnificent breadfruit tree-island and enjoy your introduction to banana and hibiscus fiber preparations for weaving. Our walking tour is your unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the island’s art from abstract designs to all sorts of animal woodcarvings. Sing, dance, snorkel and don’t be surprised if you’re invited to a friendly local’s hut!

Ifalik is one of the more traditional Yap islands, and we will be welcomed by the local chiefs and by a performance of traditional songs and dances before setting off to explore the lush island with our local guides. We will see the school, which is one of the very few buildings built with modern material, in contrast to the houses built with leaves and trees found on the island. The women tend the gardens of taro and other staple foods while the men are involved in boat building or fishing. The canoes along the beach and in the picturesque lagoon make for fantastic photographs.

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.

Mangrove swamps line much of the shore. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are strong compared to other states in Micronesia. Yap is known for its stone money, known as Rai: large doughnut-shaped, carved disks of up to 4 m (12 ft.) in diameter, The smallest can be as little as 3.5 centimeters (1.4 in) in diameter. Their value is based on both the stone's size and its history.

The stones' value was kept high due to the difficulty and hazards involved in obtaining them. To quarry the stones, Yapese adventurers had to sail to distant islands and deal with local inhabitants who were sometimes hostile.

As no more disks are being produced or imported, this money supply is fixed. The islanders know who owns which piece but do not necessarily move them when ownership changes. Their size and weight (the largest ones require 20 adult men to carry) make them very difficult to move around. Explore Yap Island and learn more about their cultures and traditions.

The beautiful coral reef Ngulu Atoll welcomes us with open arms as the Chief of the island greets our group and local dancers put on an unforgettable performance. Snorkel or dive into the natural lagoon filled with indigenous tropical fish like the iridescent Blue Green Reef Chromis. Don’t forget to look out for the Black-naped Tern and Red-footed Booby seabirds.