papua new guinea CAPTAIN’S VOYAGE LOG

VOYAGE NUMBER: 0216 > DEPARTING: 23 FEBRUARY 2016 > ARRIVING: 04 MARCH 2016 > TOTAL DISTANCE STEAMED: 1247 NM

CORAL DISCOVERER

Flag > Australia

Master > Simon Estella

Mate > Dan Prockter Purser > Amy Tibbett

Manam Island

Sepik River

Wewak

Madang

Tuam IslandTami Islands

Fly IslandLababia

PortMoresby

Tufi

Alotau

D’Entrecasteaux Group

Trobriands

Tuam Island

OCEAN

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

PACIFIC

DAY 1 23.02.16LOCATION: ALOTAU

IN GENERAL

Coral Discoverer docks at Alotau Wharf, awaiting for the guests to arrive. Some guests had arrived early and were taken on a tour by the Expedition Leader through the food markets, discovering foods and medicines that they had not seen before.

The remaining guests arrived via the charter flight from Cairns at 1100 and were then taken for lunch at the Driftwood Resort. It is an amazing venue located by the water and our guests were treated to a sensational performance by the fearsome Milne Bay traditional dancers. After the ceremony, the group took some time to check out the lookout and the Australian War Memorial before boarding the Coral Discoverer at 1500.

At 1600, we departed Alotau for Dei Dei and dropped anchor at about 2300.

LOCAL WEATHERWind NW 20ktsSeas 1mSwell NilWeather Fine and hot Barometer 1008

SUMMARY OF DAY’S EVENTS0800 Guests arrived in Alotau for day tour1230 Lunch at Driftwood Resort with performance by Milne Bay traditional dancers1600 Depart Alotau

DAY 2 24.03.16LOCATION: DEI DEI - DOBU ISLAND

IN GENERAL

As the vessel arrived at Dei Dei the previous evening, guests were able to board the Xplorer and head ashore early in the morning. Guests were divided into smaller groups and all made their way to the island’s hot springs geysers. Morning tea was served by the locals – pumpkin and yam cooked in the hot springs themselves.

After returning back to Coral Discoverer, we moved across to Dobu Island for the afternoon. After lunch, the passengers were able to move across to Dobu, where the locals performed traditional song and dance. Snorkelers had a wonderful experience being dropped on a shallow reef that had a curtain of bubbles rising up from the numerous underwater fumaroles. A unique experience only found at the dormant volcano of Dobu. Remained at anchor until 1730 and sailed for Trobriand Islands.

LOCAL WEATHERWind Lt AirsSeas CalmSwell CalmWeather Clear skies Barometer 1009

SUMMARY OF DAY’S EVENTS0700 Arrived at the Wharf0800 Xplorer departs for Dei Dei 1800 Captain’s Welcome Drinks

DAY 3 25.02.16LOCATION: TROBRIAND ISLANDS

IN GENERAL

As we arrived at the Trobriand Islands, a morning storm passed through bringing heavy rain, thunder and lightning. After the rain cleared, the guests then boarded the Xplorer and went ashore on Kuiawa Island. The locals welcomed the passengers, crediting them for the arrival of the rain and taking them on a tour of the village. They were then treated to a performance by the village’s traditional dancers and were able to purchase some artifacts and take some photos with the local children. At around midday, the passengers returned to Coral Discoverer for lunch and then spent the afternoon swimming and snorkeling.

After guests enjoyed afternoon tea, Expedition Leader Ben gave a presentation on Shark Calling and recap on kite fishing in the Trobriands. It was a day well spent and it seemed like everyone enjoyed their time on Kuiawa Island.

LOCAL WEATHERWind W 10 kntsSeas NilSwell 0.5mWeather Overcast and showersBarometer 1007

SUMMARY OF DAY’S EVENTS0745 Arrived at the Trobriand Islands0900 Xplorer heads ashore on Kuiawa Island for morning acitivies1200 Return to ship for lunch

DAY 4 26.02.16LOCATION: MACLAREN HARBOUR AND TUFI

IN GENERAL

We arrived on time in Maclaren Harbour and conducted a ‘live’ drop with all passengers going ashore on canoes through the fjord-like area. The guests really enjoyed this activity as they paddled through the mangroves and jungle area. At the end of the tour, they were met by the fierce Oro warriors as they went ashore. In the village, the guests learnt about Tapa cloth, traditional tattooing and fire making, before heading back to Coral Discoverer by the canoes.

The ship anchored in Tufi Harbour for afternoon activities, which included kayaking, snorkeling, diving and resort walking. During the evening, guests were able to relax and watch David Attenborough’s ‘Birds of Paradise’ before we set sail for Buna at 2330 that evening.

LOCAL WEATHERWind Various light airsSeas CalmSwell NilWeather Mostly fineBarometer 1008

SUMMARY OF DAY’S EVENTS0800 Arrived in Maclaren Harbour0900 Guests boarded local canoes for short cruise2330 Departed for Buna

DAY 5 27.02.16LOCATION: BUNA AND GONA

IN GENERAL

Despite some challenging conditions moving the Xplorer off the platform, guests travelled ashore to the WWII battlefields of Buna & Gona. After being greeted by the Buna villagers with handmade floral leis, the guests were treated to some local fruit and coconut drink before setting off for a walk through the war memorials.

After heading back to the ship for lunch, we anchored off Buna for the afternoon. The guests made their way ashore to the Girewo village in Sanananda where they were greeted by local dancers and were able to check out the Australian and Japanese war museums. Passenger feedback was excellent for both visits to Buna and Gona. At 1730, we weighed anchor and headed towards the Fly Islands.

LOCAL WEATHERWind Lt AirsSeas NilSwell 0.5mWeather Overcast and calmBarometer 1009

SUMMARY OF DAY’S EVENTS0730 Arrived in Gona0830 Xplorer heads ashore for morning activities1300 Arrived in Buna1730 Departed for Fly Islands

DAY 6 28.02.16LOCATION: FLY ISLANDS / LABABIA - DREGERHAFEN

IN GENERAL

On arrival at Fly Islands, we were met by local village people with traditional dancing and sing sing. Some guests jumped onboard a canoe for a short tour up the creek and there were reports of one crocodile sighting. Water activities here were excellent with guests enjoying some snorkeling and diving in near perfect conditions.

At midday we departed for Lababia, dropping anchor around 1400, where guests then went ashore to the Kamiali Village. The entire village was there to meet the group, making it a very special experience for all. After the welcome and dances, local guides took some guests through a tour of their village and through the rainforest, while others boarded some outriggers for a paddle.

After the guests returned from Kamiali Village, we set sail for Dregerhafen, with ‘Sunken Warriors’ being screened in the lounge.

LOCAL WEATHERWind Calm Seas NilSwell SlightWeather Calm and overcastBarometer 1008

SUMMARY OF DAY’S EVENTS0630 Arrived at Fly Islands1200 Departed for Lababia1415 Xplorer heads ashore for afternoon activites2230 Arrived at Dregerhafen

DAY 7 29.02.16LOCATION: DREGERHAFEN - TUAM ISLANDS

IN GENERAL

Remained at anchorage and loaded Xplorer to go ashore early to the village of Gingala. After being lead through the village, passengers were taken to a secluded freshwater spring pool. The local kids were showing off their diving skills in the cold waters, while our guests enjoyed a very relaxing and refreshing swim.

After returning to Coral Discoverer, we sailed up to Tuam Island and arrived after lunch to send passengers ashore. Local villagers entertained our group by a women’s dancing group and male drummers. This was followed by two men’s group dancing further down the village. They performed dances which depicted daily village life, such picking bananas, harvesting yams, fishing and paddling to other islands. It was a successful afternoon with excellent passenger feedback. Picked up passengers just after 1700 before departing for Madang.

LOCAL WEATHERWind NW 20kts Seas 0.5mSwell 1 - 2mWeather Overcast and some rainBarometer 1005

SUMMARY OF DAY’S EVENTS0730 Xplorer heads ashore for village of Gingala1515 Arrived at Tuam Island

DAY 8 01.03.16LOCATION: MADANG

IN GENERAL

The vessel remained at anchor for the day in Madang Harbour. Passengers went ashore at 0800 for a planned bus tour around points of interest of Madang, which included Madang Museum, Bilbil Village to observe pottery being made and the Coastwatcher’s Lighthouse which is the memorial to those brave Papuan and Australian coastwatchers from WWII.

While the harbour is well protected, getting through the coral reef entrance was a disaster for several German ships, and then later Japanese supply ships in WW2, so this area is a shipwreck graveyard. Crashed and damaged Japanese planes at the nearby airstrip were buried after the war and the villagers plan to uncover them and create a war museum.

Most passengers returned for lunch before returning to Madang for own exploration of the town. It was a relaxing afternoon which was well deserved.

LOCAL WEATHERWind Lt Airs Seas Nil Swell NilWeather Overcast and occasional showers Barometer 1009

SUMMARY OF DAY’S EVENTS0730 Arrived in Madang0800 Guests depart for tour through Madang1200 Returned to harbour for lunch on the boat 1700 Departed for Sepik River

DAY 9 02.03.16LOCATION: SEPIK RIVER

IN GENERAL

During the early morning, we cruised past the volcano on Manam Island and arrived at the mouth of the Sepik River at 0600. We proceeded up the river towards Angoram, which had been running hard and fast thanks to the recent heavy rainfall. As the morning crept in, the local villagers started to come out and greeted us as we continued to cruise up the river. We arrived at Angoram shortly after lunch. The guests jumped aboard the Xplorer and made their way into the village, perusing the markets and meeting with the locals.

The rain came down heavy in the afternoon and those still on land returned back to the vessel soaking wet but feeling refreshed. We remained at Angoram until 1615 and proceeded to Bien where we anchored for the evening.

LOCAL WEATHERWind Lt Airs Seas N/A Swell NilWeather Clear skies and hot Barometer 1010

SUMMARY OF DAY’S EVENTS0600 Arrived at the mouth of Sepik River1330 Arrived in Angoram1615 Departed for Bien1830 Arrived in Bien

DAY 10 03.03.16LOCATION: BIEN, SEPIK MOUTH AND MANUM ISLAND

IN GENERAL

Just after sunrise, the birdwatchers of the group boarded the Xplorer for a cruise along Bien Creek. It was a very successful trip with some excellent sightings of the native bird life. After returning for breakfast, all guests then boarded the Xplorer again and went ashore to Bien Village. They were met by traditional dancers and led through the village and into the school grounds. Here the children gave a spirited performance which included singing, dancing and a very entertaining pantomime.

We departed Bien just before lunch and continued down the Sepik River. Late in the afternoon we approached Manam Island where guests were able to head ashore for the last time on this cruise. For most, it was a real treat to be able to stand at the base of an active volcano.

Guests returned to Coral Discoverer where they were met with a top deck BBQ and the Captain’s farewell drinks on the sundeck. It was a very pleasant end to our cruise through Papua New Guinea.

LOCAL WEATHERWind NW 10-20Seas 1mSwell 1mWeather Clear skiesBarometer 1010

SUMMARY OF DAY’S EVENTS0615 Xplorer departed for bird watching cruise along Bien Creek1120 Departed Bien Creek1600 Arrived at Manam Island1800 Departed for Wewak

DAY 11 04.03.16LOCATION: WEWAK

IN GENERAL

We picked up the PNG Officials and the on-coming crew at 0730. At 0845, we took all guests ashore and those flying out of Wewak today were shuttled to the airport to meet their chartered flight back to Cairns. Preparations are already underway for Coral Discoverer’s next voyage.

LOCAL WEATHERWind Fresh NW through afternoonSeas Moderate Swell Moderate NEWeather Cloudy throughout with occasional showers. Hot and humidBarometer 1008

SUMMARY OF DAY’S EVENTS0700 Arrived in Wewak0845 Guests disembark

VOYAGE: 0216 - PAPUA NEW GUINEA > LOCATION: KUIAWA ISLANDS PICTURE TAKEN: FEBRUARY 2016

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