Our morning began with a presentation on sea turtles by naturalist Cristiana Damiano, and just like those fascinating creatures we on National Geographic Orion have been traveling thousands of miles across the Pacific. By noon, our ship had anchored outside the massive reef surrounding the island of Aitutaki, the second largest of the Cook Islands after Raratonga. A short Zodiac ride later, we were ashore and transferring to transport trucks. These drove us to the other side of the island, where we stepped onto local boats for a journey across one of the world's most beautiful lagoons. Our destination: One Foot Island, a picture-postcard tropical isle. There, we languished on the white sand beach, snorkeled among giant trevally fish and colorful giant clams, and enjoyed the lilting sounds of ukuleles while feasting on local delicacies.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 04 Jun 2018
Aitutaki, Cook Islands, 6/4/2018, National Geographic Orion
- Aboard the National Geographic Orion
- French Polynesia & Pacific Islands
Jacob Edgar, Cultural Specialist
Jacob Edgar is an Ethnomusicologist, world music tastemaker and global explorer with an insatiable curiosity for the diverse ways in which people express themselves through music. Jacob’s adventures have taken him to dozens of countries, and hundre...
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At Sea
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.