In this episode, we talk about the Austral Islands with veteran archaeologist Mark Eddowes, uncovering how temple sites, tiki traditions, and hidden petroglyphs can transform your journey into a true cultural adventure. Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com are featured early because exploring remote French Polynesia is an adventure that rewards careful planning—especially when you want access, pacing, and cultural context aligned with the reality of small islands. Normand Schafer interviews Mark onboard Aranui 5 as the ship sails toward Rapa, and the conversation is a rare blend of fieldwork stories, cultural insight, and practical guidance for travelers who want their adventure to be respectful as well as thrilling.

Mark starts by describing how his career began in New Zealand with early interest in Māori history, leading into university research focused on Polynesian marae temples. A collaborative research project brought him to Tahiti’s Papenoo Valley, where archaeological sites needed to be documented and excavated in the context of proposed modern development. That origin story sets the tone for the whole episode: this is an adventure rooted in real places that matter deeply to local identity.

From there, Mark takes us into the Australs. He explains that the Austral Islands and the Cook Islands were once a unified cultural and language zone, later divided into separate territories, with history diverging from around 1900 onward. His fieldwork spans islands like Rimatara and Tubuai—surveying and excavating marae and early settlement sites—and he shares one of the most captivating details in the region: Raivavae’s tiki tradition, where tiki figures represent deified female ancestors. That distinction adds depth for adventure-minded travelers, because it shows how symbolism and ancestry can vary dramatically between islands that outsiders might assume are culturally identical. Mark also discusses how certain settlement influences may trace back to the Marquesas, while others align more strongly with the Society Islands, giving listeners a map of human movement hidden behind the modern seascape.

Mark’s description of what travelers notice in the Australs reads like an invitation to slow down and pay attention. The islands are natural and lightly developed, with small populations and a fresher subtropical climate. Daily life still revolves around plantations and fishing, shared within strong extended-family networks. For adventure travelers, that’s part of the magic: you’re not arriving in a destination built around visitors.

The episode’s most important adventure guidance is also the simplest: respect taboo. Mark explains that in Polynesian languages, taboo means sacred or forbidden—set aside, not to be disturbed. Marae temples are still treated with deep respect because ancestors are associated with them. His advice is clear: photograph, observe, learn, but don’t climb on sites, don’t touch or rearrange stones, and never take anything. He also points to specific examples like royal cemeteries, where observing from outside is the respectful boundary.

Finally, Mark shares discovery stories that feel like classic expedition moments: a red volcanic tuff tiki connected to sacred symbolism of the color red across Polynesia; an ancestor figure found reused in a house alignment that suggests how belief systems shifted during early conversion eras; and turtle petroglyphs revealed only when a restored stone stood upright and caught sunset light at the precise angle. These are the kinds of details that make an adventure linger in your mind long after you’ve left the islands—because you realize how much is still hidden in plain sight. If you want an Austral Islands adventure that pairs remote beauty with deep cultural meaning, Far and Away Adventures can plan and book the journey so your experience is both extraordinary and respectful.

In this episode, we talk about Guadalcanal Province in the Solomon Islands as an adventure destination—where you can combine inland hikes, dramatic waterfalls, coastal time, and cultural experiences that feel genuinely local. Far and Away Adventures.com is where you can start planning with expert help, and you can explore ideas at https://farandawayadventures.com. Normand leads the conversation with a guest connected to Guadalcanal tourism efforts, focusing on what travelers can do when they want more than a “drive-by” visit.

The guest begins by framing Guadalcanal as one of the bigger islands in the Solomon Islands and the home of Honiara, the national capital. From there, the conversation quickly moves into what makes Guadalcanal feel distinct: cultural variety across one island. Multiple languages are spoken, and traditions differ depending on whether you’re in the west, central areas, or other parts of the province. For adventure travelers, this is great news—because you can build a route that mixes landscapes with cultural variety, rather than repeating the same type of day over and over.

Cultural encounters are positioned as a core part of the adventure. The guest highlights villages that are open to visitors, where travelers can see traditional crafts, learn about food preparation, and experience daily life. There’s also a sustainability theme: how communities grow food and maintain their lifestyle. For travelers who define adventure as “learning plus movement,” these village experiences provide the learning—while nature provides the movement.

Nature is where the episode really opens up. Tenaru Waterfall is highlighted as a major attraction and described as the biggest waterfall in the Solomon Islands. It’s presented as a must-see that can anchor a Guadalcanal itinerary. The guest also mentions that there are both coastal and mountain experiences available: beaches for swimming and relaxing, and ocean activities like snorkeling, diving, and fishing for travelers who want time on the water. Inland, the guest references hiking into mountain areas and visiting caves, including a cave site known for large numbers of bats, paired with dramatic waterfall scenery nearby. The point is not to do everything at once, but to choose one or two “big days” that match your fitness level and interest—and then balance them with easier coastal time.

History adds another dimension that many adventure travelers appreciate: story-rich landscapes. Guadalcanal is described as a major WWII battleground, and the guest notes that there are memorials and historic areas travelers can visit around Honiara and farther out. The conversation references the Mount Austen area and other memorial locations, plus sites near the Henderson area close to the airport, and additional places outside the city where larger war relics remain. For many visitors, these stops create a sense of perspective that deepens the rest of the journey.

If you want an island trip that feels like exploration—culture plus terrain plus story—Guadalcanal is a powerful choice. Connect with a Far and Away Adventures specialist to build an itinerary that combines Tenaru Waterfall, village encounters, and thoughtfully paced historic touring in a way that fits your energy level and travel style.

In this episode, we talk about Aranui 5 shore excursions and island experiences with Lehi, focusing on the cultural, historic, and adventure elements that make a deluxe freighter cruise feel like true exploration. Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com are essential if you want help picking the right sailing and aligning your trip with the kinds of days ashore you actually want—whether that’s hiking, history, lagoon time, or simply being immersed in Polynesian hospitality without rushing. Normand Schafer speaks with Lehi onboard, and the result is an unusually practical look at what “adventure” means when the islands are remote and the welcome is personal.

Lehi explains the foundation first: Aranui includes excursions at every port, which is a big deal in destinations where you can’t rely on endless transportation options or last-minute availability. Instead of starting from zero each day, travelers begin with a well-designed core experience and then decide whether to add optional activities. That structure creates a sense of confidence for adventurous travelers, because you can push yourself on one day and take it easier the next without feeling like you’re missing the trip. It also supports the reality of remote-island logistics: some places have more vehicles, some have fewer, and timing has to be coordinated with the ship’s operations.

The episode brings adventure to life through specific island days. Lehi describes Nuku Hiva as a classic “big day,” often running from early morning to late afternoon, built around a safari-style route using local four-wheel drives. Guests visit major sites such as a cathedral and an archaeological location, then share lunch ashore with hosts who welcome everyone with music and dance. Normand points out the travel-geek detail that makes it feel like expedition logistics: the ship may reposition to another side of the island while guests cross overland, turning the excursion into a journey that connects coasts rather than a simple loop.

For hikers, the conversation goes deep on Fatu Hiva, where the 15 km crossing from Omoa to Hanavave is both challenging and deeply rewarding. Lehi explains that not everyone needs to do it. Adventurous travelers can take on the hike and earn the panoramic views, while others can choose alternatives such as a four-wheel-drive option or returning to the ship and sailing around to the other village. That “multiple pathways to the same story” is a hallmark of good expedition-style travel, and it’s a reminder that adventure is personal. You can seek altitude and sweat, or you can seek culture and scenery, and both approaches can be valid in the same group.

The episode also touches on cultural adventure—places where history and human stories shape the day. On Hiva Oa, Lehi describes how the ship offers different ways to experience the island, including hiking routes that pass through the cemetery connected to Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel, and bus options for travelers who prefer a gentler pace. He shares a detail that feels quintessentially remote: transportation can involve local school buses, reinforcing that you’re sharing real infrastructure, not stepping into a purpose-built tourism machine.

Even practical topics like food and timing become part of the adventure. Meals ashore may be cooked differently than onboard, sometimes in traditional styles, and Lehi explains how special diets can still be supported by bringing appropriate meals from the ship. He also speaks candidly about crowd movement and impatience—how some guests rush into the sun and get stressed when vehicles aren’t instantly visible. For adventure travellers, the takeaway is simple: patience is part of the skill set. If you’re ready to plan an Aranui 5 adventure with the right blend of hiking, history, and lagoon time, Far and Away Adventures can help you choose the sailing and design the full journey so it feels bold but manageable.