At Sea Approaching Samoa, 5/17/2018, National Geographic Orion
Aboard the
National Geographic Orion
French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Our second day at sea brought us within sight of American Samoa as we continued our transit on to Samoa. Our day was filled with presentations, seabirds, and flying fish, and most importantly a ceremony of crossing the date line filled with marvelous music. Kura Happ blew our minds with her island vibes as we entered tomorrow.
Mike learned early on that the best way to escape Ohio was to become a marine biologist. During college at Wittenberg University he attended a semester at Duke University's Marine Lab — that time only confirmed his love for all things oceanic and ma...
Today, we journeyed to a secluded motu (island) sharing the lagoon with Ra’iatea and Taha’a, savoring a beachside lunch before venturing into crystalline waters. With snorkel gear ready, we swam alongside curious blacktip reef sharks, observing their sleek bodies and graceful movements while they patrol the shallows. It’s an exhilarating mix of excitement and vulnerability. Your heart pounds at the first glimpse of the shark’s sleek outline, pulsing with respect for its wild power. As it moves calmly through the water, you sense a silent exchange—a moment of mutual curiosity. Adrenaline rushes, but wonder prevails, leaving you captivated by the majesty of nature’s perfect design.
Today, we embarked on a guided hike around Ra’iatea’s revered Marae sites, tracing the island’s profound historical importance as the cradle of the Polynesian Triangle. Enveloped in vivid tropical greens, we discovered intricate stone altars and absorbed the region’s living cultural heritage. We followed the cultural walks with photography walks, as well as natural history walks up a hill to enjoy beautiful views of the turquoise-colored bay.
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.
