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Water World

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Plus Captain’s Log Paul Bickley of MY Latitude

Ocean Keepers

Sustainable Marina Developments

Regional Review CHINa and the Rise of the red dragon

136

Ocean cr u i si n g

It’s all in the aloha The luxurious way to discover true Hawai’ian culture.

I

t had to happen. For how long could this contender for the most remote archipelago in the world stay overlooked by adventure and expedition vessels? No, we’re not talking about some ice-encrusted gulag, but the tropical island paradise of Hawai’i.

Forget for a moment Captain Cook’s unfortunate interaction with the natives near Kealakekua Bay, and cast a wider view to the eastern Hawai’ian islands that appear as if a comet tail of the so-called Big Island, the largest of them all. Here you have a relatively sparsely settled territory, rich in natural attractions ripe for exploration by smaller vessels.

Enter American Safari Cruises (ASC) who had flagged itineraries some years back, but the GFC speed bump unsettled those plans and the itineraries are only now being revealed in tandem with new sister brand, InnerSea Discoveries (ISD). The sibling fleets now consist of seven vessels, the largest carrying just 86 passengers, with several of those vessels acquired after the demise former adventurecruiseguide.com

competitor, Cruise West.

ASC has chosen its flagship for Hawai’ian duties, the perfectly suited, 36-passenger Safari Explorer. While it may not look like the latest James Bond plaything, Safari Explorer is a good choice for low impact, eco-sensitive excursions around the craggy, mid-ocean coastline of the more remote islands like Maui and Moloka’i. She is equipped with twin RIB tenders, hot tub and kayaks, while cabins are located on three decks ranging from ‘standard’ master staterooms through to larger Commander (2), Captain and Admiral (3) class to the two Commodore suites. Dining is in single sitting with varied daily menu incorporating local produce where available. Wine, spirits and beer are included in the fare and available at all times, not just meal times.

The eight-day itinerary travels between Maui and Kona on the Big Island, and reverse. Guests can expect to see dolphins (Naia), rays and turtles (honu) throughout the trip and humpback whales (Kohola) in season (from late December to early May). While ashore, excursions include strolls through local markets, villages and scenic attractions, often with options like golf, scuba diving or even horse riding on Lana’i.

There are plenty of opportunities to get into the water with snorkelling in the warm, clear waters offered throughout the journey but divers can get their fix too with the signature dives on Lana’i offered through local operators, Trilogy Ocean Sports, the only full service dive shop on the island.

Without too much debate, the most

IslandS Up close Dolphins, manta rays and turtles are all part of the experience of exploring the far reaches of the Hawai’ian islands.

Germans return to Russia Hapag-Lloyd makes its debut in the Russian Far East.

In June, HL will offer their first itinerary through the Sea of Okhotsk on the only 5-star* expedition vessel in the world, the MS Hanseatic.

The itinerary will be fully bilingual, departing Otaru, Japan on June 13, and concluding in Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka on June 30th. The 17day expedition voyage leads through the Sea of Okhotsk and its many islands as well as to Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands. This rarely travelled route is one of the last unexploited sea expeditions in the world. *Rated by Berlitz Guide to Cruising www.landmarktravel.com.au

Cuba calling Cruise the sights and sounds of Havana and surrounds.

One of the small ship cruise destinations poised to open up in the coming years is Cuba. Greek boutique cruise line, Variety Cruises is the latest to announce Cuban itineraries uniquely marketed to Australians with a 20 per cent discount. Newly represented in Australia, Discover The World will offer Havana-Havana voyages in 2012-13. The seven-night ‘Sights and Sounds of Cuba’ is aboard the 25-cabin S/C Panorama. www.discovertheworld.com.au

memorable underwater experience is the Kona Manta Ray night dive offered in conjunction with a local dive operator.

The experience is not to be underrated and many place it right up there with any wildlife encounter you can have on this planet. Well after sundown, guests are ferried to a location, just off the Kona coast, where floating floodlights illuminate the ocean and the masses of plankton swarming beneath. With snorkellers bobbing on the surface and divers clinging to gnarly outcrops ten metres below, the scene is set. As divers wave their powerful LED beams around in search of these mysterious creatures, they suddenly swoop in like dive bombers, giant mouths agape, scooping up the food as they twirl and twist in the shafts of light.

Mantas can grow to considerable size and the performers in our submarine ballet easily measure three metres across. It’s a disconcerting feeling as the huge animal appears to target you, but pulls away at the very last minute.

From a cultural perspective, the

resurgent “aloha” culture on island of Moloka’i is an intriguing insight into the origins of this complex Polynesian civilisation. During a shore excursion to the lush Halawa Valley, guests meet local elders and engage in hands-on activities that represent the core of the spiritual belief.

ASC’s Hawaiian Seascapes is much more than just a cruise; it is a true exploration away from the overworked tourist haunts of Waikiki and Honolulu and into the true Hawai’i of romantic Polynesian culture.

Rates begin at $4995.00 per person, double occupancy, and include most excursions, transfers, all meals and alcohol aboard. Extras: some optional excursions (eg diving, golf).

For further information call Ultimate Cruising on 1300 662 943. www.ultimatecruising.com.au

Roderick Eime Covers the small ship and adventure cruise scene for numerous magazines and newspapers and is the editor of www.adventurecruiseguide.com

Silversea makes history Commemorating Shackleton at Point Wild.

Silver Explorer and her expedition team accomplished a first in the ship’s history on Australia Day with a landing at Point Wild, Elephant Island – the location where survivors of the Shackleton Expedition lived under two lifeboats for more than four months while awaiting rescue.

Expedition Leader, Robin West commented: “Landing in the exact place where Sir Ernest Shackleton stepped ashore nearly 100 years ago, was a truly significant and historic experience, not only for our guests but for Silver Explorer and the Expedition team as well.

Call 1300 306 872 (Australia) or 0800 701 427 (NZ). www.silversea.com/expeditions