Discover the Secrets of Melanesia: Papua New Guinea, The Solomon Islands & Vanuatu

“A heart-warming adventure”

“International travel is as important to me as the food I eat. Without it, I'm simply not fuelled. I feel most alive when I'm exploring and discovering new places and ways of being in the world. I think I've counted nearly 40 countries visited so far, but none of these previous travel experiences compare to my adventure through the remote isles of Papua New Guinea aboard your little ship, the Spirit of Enderby. Where to begin?? Papua New Guinea had been high on my wish list for some fifteen years, ever since watching a documentary film about an American Anthropologist revisiting the native cultures he studied in his youth. The photographs I admired online and in tour brochures patiently called to me like some kind of bewitching reoccurring dream. Who are these exquisite-looking people with more than 800 native tongues, isolated from modern convenience, and so beautifully enmeshed in nature? Any prior impressions or expectations I had for this expedition were completely blown out of the water. I'm familiar with expedition travel, and know how daily activities and places visited can vary depending on weather and wildlife. But, you've taken expedition cruising to a whole new level. I've only ever daydreamed of spending an afternoon on a tiny, uninhabited tropical island to swim, snorkel through vibrant coral reefs, and sink my feet into the warm, golden sand. So delighting in this, not once but at least three times, was a heavenly surprise. And far better than a picture-perfect postcard, these beaches were so far off the tourist track that only local fishermen likely stop there! We were all astounded to visit three villages that had never before hosted foreign travellers and whose children had never met a "white" person. The deeply genuine welcome we received, and imagining the amount of effort it must have taken to prepare, nearly moved many of us to tears. The many sing-sings we enjoyed were AMAZING--costumes of palm leaves, shells and flowers...colourful headdresses, body paint, and handmade drums....Phenomenal. And they were just as curious about us as we were interested in them. Together, we jumped and swam in fresh-water streams, took goofy photographs, toured classrooms and churches, enjoyed pick-up soccer matches, searched for rare birds, paddled outrigger canoes, feasted on fresh papaya, curry nuts and stews, and sang songs that I still find myself humming in my kitchen--from the other side of the world! One of my favourite memories: "Where are you from? How did you get here?" the girls asked, spinning the classroom globe. Moments later, they dressed me in a palm skirt from their earlier sing-sing performance and bestowed a chicken-feather adorned crown atop my head. They showed me how they warm up for net ball practice, took me to the rice field they planted, and explained how they get to school each day--some by outrigger canoe, others on foot through the jungle (up to 1.5 hours one way). What was most inspiring about this trip was the spirit of the people and the heartfelt connections we all made. There were so many moments of genuine cultural exchange. To experience this level of respect, honour and appreciation between two very different cultures is a treasure unto itself. The people we met were present, generous, kind, intelligent, curious... making the most of life despite the hardships and challenges they face. And, never have I seen more sincere smiles! Expedition Leader Nathan Russ and the entire staff and crew did a beyond outstanding job. With Chris Collins, we all spotted the famous Birds of Paradise - YES! Cruise Director Helen made us feel right at home and looked after, and we're all a little smarter after Andrew and Martin's science lectures! I was proud to be traveling under the leadership of such a kind-spirited, respectful, and pioneering Expedition Leader. Nathan introduced to us a little known and highly misunderstood region of our planet and revealed the immensely beautiful, profound, precious and sadly threatened essence of Papua New Guinean island life. I applaud Heritage for your vision and imagination to explore PNG in such an mindful manner. That was not tour I just returned from, that was a heart-warming adventure. As Helen Keller said, "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." I think I may have left a piece of my heart in Papua New Guinea. But I'm okay with that, as it just means that I'll have to return one day. ”

~ Anonymous