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.

In this episode, we talk about the Solomon Islands as an adventure destination—where history, culture, and nature combine into a trip that feels truly different. Far and Away Adventures.com is where you can start planning with expert help, and you can explore ideas at https://farandawayadventures.com. Normand interviews Sunila from Guadalcanal Travel Solomons about what adventurous travelers can do on Guadalcanal and nearby islands beyond the standard checklist.

We cover the famous side of Guadalcanal first: World War II touring. Sunila shares what draws visitors to the battlefield areas and historic points near Honiara, including the kinds of relics travelers can expect to see. For adventure travelers, it’s not only the sites—it’s the feeling of stepping into a landscape where history is still visible.

Then we pivot to cultural experiences that add depth to the journey. Sunila explains how cultural performances and ceremonial touring can be incorporated into itineraries, and she shares details about traditional attire and shell money practices that still exist in certain provinces. These moments can be as memorable as any hike because they connect travelers with living traditions.

On the pure “get outside” side, Sunila recommends waterfall trekking and calls out Tenaru Falls as a standout. It’s the kind of active day that pairs well with historical touring—movement, scenery, and a rewarding destination at the end. We also discuss seasonal timing for travelers who want to maximize comfort and minimize weather-related disruptions.

Finally, Sunila shares a big adventure highlight: a full-day trip to Savo Island for a volcanic tour, reached by boat from Honiara. It’s an experience that many travelers don’t realize they can add, and it offers a dramatic contrast to WWII-focused touring. If you want a Solomon Islands trip with a strong adventure core—treks, boat rides, and something truly unique—this episode lays out the ideas. When you’re ready, connect with a Far and Away Adventures specialist to build an itinerary that fits your pace and priorities.

In this episode, we talk about the kind of adventure travel that feels both remote and deeply connected to real life: freighter cruising in French Polynesia, with a look ahead to the upcoming Aranoa ship. Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com can help you plan this style of trip—where routing, timing, and pre/post logistics often matter as much as the sailing itself.

Normand Schafer speaks with Leo Colin from Aranui Cruises about Aranui 5 and the Aranoa project, focusing on what makes these voyages distinctive: they’re not just scenic—they’re functional. The ship isn’t simply a hotel that moves; it’s part of a supply chain that sustains island communities. That mission shapes the day-to-day onboard experience, because cargo operations, scheduling decisions, and island infrastructure are visible to passengers. For adventure-minded travelers, that visibility is part of the draw. It’s a front-row view of how remote places actually work.

Leo explains that Aranoa is intended to keep the same combined passenger-and-cargo spirit as Aranui 5, while scaling the ship to the needs of the Austral Islands. The Australs are less populated than the Marquesas, and that changes freight volume and ship size decisions. Leo also describes the intended onboard feel, including the way passenger-to-crew ratios can influence the sense of personal attention and the overall atmosphere. If you like adventure without giving up comfort, these are important considerations—not as promises, but as planning signals.

Where this episode really shines is in the operational details that most travelers never hear. Leo talks about stabilizers planned for Aranoa to reduce rolling in southern swells, which can materially affect comfort in the Australs depending on weather systems. He also describes dynamic positioning, a technology that can keep the ship on station without anchoring, helping reduce seabed impact. These features aren’t “adventure” in the Instagram sense, but they are the infrastructure of a better experience—safer, steadier, and more environmentally mindful where conditions allow.

The conversation includes moments that reveal why flexibility is part of any real expedition-style travel. Leo shares an example of leaving a bay during a tsunami alert after an earthquake near Kamchatka, following guidance from authorities and waiting at sea until conditions were cleared. We also hear a story about a diesel delivery and how a mechanical problem became urgent because communities depend on these shipments for power and daily needs.

If you’re looking for an adventure that combines culture, remoteness, and meaningful context, this episode lays out why freighter cruising stands apart. When you’re ready to turn the idea into a workable itinerary—right sailing, right pacing, right connections—Far and Away Adventures can design and book a plan that supports the adventure without letting logistics become the trip.

In this episode we talk about a side of adventure travel most people never see: the operational work that makes remote-island voyaging possible—and how Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com can help you choose the right sailing and prepare for a voyage where real logistics are part of the experience.
Normand interviews Charles, a second captain on the Aranui freighter cruise, and the conversation becomes a deep dive into what it takes to deliver freight to islands where the ocean decides the difficulty level.

Charles sets the stage by describing Aranui as something that isn’t purely a cruise ship and isn’t purely a cargo ship. It carries passengers—Normand mentions roughly 250—while also delivering goods that island communities depend on. That hybrid identity is why the voyage earns the “deluxe freighter” label: you experience a genuine working route, but with the passenger comfort that makes it feel like a vacation too. For adventure travelers, this is a rare combination. You aren’t just transported to destinations; you’re immersed in the system that connects those destinations.

Charles describes how the ship isn’t always able to go alongside a pier. In some places it anchors, then uses cranes to load barges, which move freight to shore. Add swell and tide, and suddenly the cargo operation becomes a technical challenge that demands precision and calm decision-making. Normand shares a vivid memory of seeing a car loaded onto a barge as swell moved everything up and down, illustrating exactly why guests find these moments unforgettable: it’s real-world maritime work happening right in front of you, in the middle of the South Pacific.

Charles also notes the ship’s independence. Unlike large commercial cargo ships that typically operate in major harbors with pilots, tugs, and shore support, he describes Aranui doing tricky maneuvers without those helpers. The ship has its own cranes, forklifts, and equipment, allowing the crew to discharge cargo in places that don’t have big-port infrastructure. This is the type of operational adventure you can’t replicate with a standard cruise: the route exists because the ship can function where others can’t.

Charles says the strangest shipments can be live animals—horses, cows, dogs—transported in special ventilated containers on deck, with crew members responsible for feeding and monitoring them. And the most memorable anecdote: a shipment of sheep where one gave birth onboard, turning a planned delivery of seven into a delivered total of eight. It’s an adventure story that’s also a reminder of the ship’s purpose: it serves communities, and that service includes the unexpected.

The episode also broadens to how exports move. Charles mentions that return freight from the Marquesas can be limited, but fruit exports are part of it—lemons and very large citrus (pamplemousse). Normand connects this to regional distribution, with mentions of places like Rangiroa and Bora Bora and how fruit can be delivered onward, including via refrigerated containers and transfers to smaller ships for wider distribution. For adventure-minded travelers, this adds depth: you’re not only seeing islands; you’re watching how goods circulate through an oceanic network.

Finally, there’s forward-looking curiosity in the conversation about the Aranoa and how operations may differ, especially around places with limited pier access and challenging conditions (as discussed in the episode). Nothing is presented as guaranteed, but the theme is clear: in this part of the world, seamanship and logistics are part of the journey.

If you want adventure that includes culture, remoteness, and the operational reality of getting to—and supplying—isolated islands, Episode 2 is a powerful listen. And if you want the trip built correctly with expert guidance, start with Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com so the planning supports the adventure instead of complicating it.

In this episode, we talk about the true adventure behind a deluxe freighter voyage: not just where the ship goes, but how the experience is built day by day through preparation, local partnerships, and adaptability. If you want expert help choosing the right Aranui 5 or Aranoa sailing and shaping a trip that fits your travel priorities, visit https://farandawayadventures.com. Normand interviews Spencer Hata Utuya, a guide onboard Aranui 5, to understand what happens behind the scenes when you’re visiting remote islands where the plan can change overnight.

Spencer’s story is a reminder that adventure often starts with a pivot. He studied business management and marketing and didn’t expect to work in tourism. After being turned down for leadership positions due to lack of experience, he found a guide position onboard the ship and began in September 2022. By late 2025, he had transformed into someone whose job is equal parts cultural ambassador, logistics coordinator, and calm presence when the unexpected happens.

What makes guiding on a remote-island voyage different from many other travel roles is the constant demand for preparation. Spencer shares that early on he realized some travelers arrived with strong knowledge of French Polynesia—sometimes stronger than his own—so he committed to learning deeply. He describes studying nightly and continuing to review his notes even after years onboard. For him, “keeping it fresh” isn’t a marketing phrase; it’s a nightly discipline. And it’s also practical: if a guide is sick or an assignment changes suddenly, the prepared guide can step into any role and keep the guest experience seamless.

The logistics side of the adventure is where the episode really shines. Spencer explains that the team prepares the next voyage’s program while still on the current voyage, often a few days before the trip ends. They can draft the structure far in advance, but they intentionally leave room for adjustments because changes may come from local communities, contractors, and tourism offices. He says it plainly: nothing is set in stone, and even the night before an arrival, something can change.

Two examples make this real. On a Marquesas sailing, a dance performance was planned but didn’t happen because a family situation affected the performers. The guide’s job becomes part storyteller and part emotional temperature controller—explaining the situation respectfully while helping guests stay engaged rather than disappointed. On an Australs sailing, a bus tour ran into multiple problems: a vehicle ran out of gas, a replacement required keys that were forgotten at home, and guests waited. Spencer describes how guides turn downtime into discovery by talking about the island’s land, trees, and flowers—adding context without inventing facts—and by keeping people moving so the day still feels like an adventure, not a delay.

Spencer explains that contracting and budgets are managed at higher levels, with set spending per island. Depending on costs and availability, different associations may be selected. For an adventure traveler, these details matter because they show how the voyage is interwoven with community realities—something that makes the experience more authentic, and also more dynamic.

Spencer closes with advice that fits the “passport to adventure” mindset: bring an open mind, set aside preconceived judgments, and be ready for warm Polynesian hospitality that may feel more physically friendly than what some visitors are used to. Pack thoughtfully too—good shoes, water shoes, repellent, and a raincoat. If you want an adventure that blends culture with unpredictability in the best way—where the stories you tell afterward often come from the moments you couldn’t have planned—this behind-the-scenes look at Aranui 5 and Aranoa delivers. When you’re ready to build your own voyage, connect with https://farandawayadventures.com.

In this episode, we talk about discovering a quieter side of Moorea through a stay at Niu Beach Hotel. Sylvia Martino explains how this boutique lagoon-front property offers travelers a base for exploring Moorea while still feeling calm and grounded at the end of the day.

We discuss how direct lagoon access encourages water activities right from the beach, why the hotel’s location is ideal for sunset lovers, and how independent travel creates a deeper connection to the destination. This episode is perfect for travelers who see adventure as immersion rather than adrenaline.