In this episode, we talk about the Austral Islands with veteran archaeologist Mark Eddowes, exploring how culture, archaeology, and community life can shape a vacation that feels both relaxing and deeply meaningful. Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com are included early because an Austral Islands vacation is not a plug-and-play resort week—it’s remote, culturally rich, and much more rewarding when it’s planned with specialists who understand the islands, the rhythm, and the etiquette.

Mark begins with his background, explaining how he became an archaeologist—starting with Māori history interests in New Zealand, then university work focused on Polynesian marae temples, and ultimately fieldwork in Tahiti’s Papenoo Valley. He describes archaeology as something tied to living heritage and modern change, and that’s a valuable perspective for vacationers: in places like French Polynesia, heritage sites aren’t simply photo backdrops.

Mark then describes what makes the Australs ideal for travelers seeking a quieter, more natural vacation experience. The islands have small populations and limited modern development, and the climate is subtropical, often feeling fresher than Tahiti or the Marquesas. Daily life still centers on plantations and fishing, with strong extended-family networks and a community solidarity that visitors can feel. It’s a vacation environment where the pace naturally slows down, and where “simple” can be a feature rather than a limitation. At the same time, Mark emphasizes that these islands are part of a cash economy, and that local artistry plays an important role in livelihoods. Women are known for pandanus weaving—mats, hats, fans—and Mark highlights a modern revival in wood carving as young men study museum motifs and recreate historic designs once suppressed by missionary influence.

The most practical vacation advice in the episode is about respectful visiting. Mark explains the Polynesian concept of taboo and why marae temple sites are still treated as sacred, even in Christian communities today. His guidance for vacationers is simple: take photographs, but don’t climb on sites, don’t touch or rearrange stones, and never remove anything. He also notes that certain places, such as royal cemeteries, should be observed from outside only. Mark adds a second layer of etiquette: the Australs are conservative and strongly Protestant, and modest dress away from the beach matters. Men should wear shorts rather than walking around in minimal swimwear, and women should throw on a pareo or wrap when leaving the beach. These small choices help your vacation feel smoother because they prevent discomfort and build goodwill in small communities.

Normand and Mark also explore how religion reshaped social life over time, creating strong extended-family structures where multi-generational neighborhoods keep elders cared for and children surrounded by kin. Mark notes that this collective community grounding creates a sense of safety and contentment that visitors often feel immediately. For vacationers, that’s part of what makes the Australs feel restorative: the social environment is calmer, more familiar, and less anonymous than many modern destinations.

The episode closes with some of Mark’s most memorable discoveries: a red volcanic tuff tiki connected to sacred symbolism across Polynesia, an ancestor figure found reused in a house alignment suggesting how beliefs shifted under early Christian conversion, and turtle petroglyphs revealed only when restored stonework stood upright and the setting sun hit at the right angle. These stories invite vacationers to visit sites—and museums—more thoughtfully, with curiosity and patience. If you’re ready to plan an Austral Islands vacation that blends remote beauty with real cultural depth, Far and Away Adventures can design and book the itinerary so every detail supports a respectful, unforgettable experience.

In this episode, we talk about building a Guadalcanal vacation in the Solomon Islands that feels both relaxing and meaningful—balancing cultural encounters, standout nature, and important WWII history without turning your trip into a stressful checklist. Far and Away Adventures.com is where you can start planning with expert help, and you can explore ideas at https://farandawayadventures.com. Normand welcomes listeners to a Guadalcanal-focused episode and speaks with a guest connected to Guadalcanal tourism efforts about how travelers can experience the island in a way that’s immersive but still vacation-friendly.

The conversation starts by framing Guadalcanal as one of the larger islands and the home of Honiara, the national capital—an easy gateway for travelers arriving in the Solomon Islands. But the most “vacation-shaping” insight is cultural diversity within the island. The guest explains that multiple languages exist across Guadalcanal and that traditions differ depending on which region you visit. For vacation planning, this means variety is built in: you can experience different ways of living and different cultural expressions without needing constant internal flights. A well-paced trip can feel rich and varied while still being restful.

One of the most accessible ways to engage with local culture is through village visits. The guest highlights villages that are open to visitors, where travelers can experience traditional crafts, food preparation, and everyday life, including how communities grow food and practice sustainability. These experiences can be placed into a vacation as half-days or full days, depending on pace, and they’re often the moments that help a trip feel personal rather than generic. If your idea of a great vacation includes returning home with stories—not just photos—these cultural encounters are a strong anchor.

Nature is presented as a major reason to choose Guadalcanal. Tenaru Waterfall is highlighted as a signature attraction and described as the biggest waterfall in the Solomon Islands. For a vacation itinerary, this can be your “one big inland day,” balanced by easier coastal time on other days. The guest also notes beaches for swimming and relaxing, and ocean activities like snorkeling, diving, and fishing for travelers who want time on the water. Inland, the conversation references mountain adventure options such as hiking and visiting caves, including a cave area described as having thousands of bats and striking scenery with waterfall views nearby. The key vacation planning move is to choose the right mix: one or two adventure days, then plenty of easier days so the trip stays restorative.

History is the third pillar, and Guadalcanal’s WWII significance is addressed as a defining part of the island’s identity. The guest describes Guadalcanal as a major battleground and notes that travelers can visit memorials and historic areas around Honiara and beyond. The conversation references sites associated with the Mount Austen area, memorial locations near central Honiara, and areas near the airport region. These visits can be designed as short context stops or expanded tours, depending on interest—either way, they add meaning and perspective that many travelers find unforgettable.

If you want a South Pacific vacation that blends calm island time with culture, nature, and history, Guadalcanal is a strong choice. Connect with a Far and Away Adventures specialist to design a vacation itinerary that balances village experiences, Tenaru Waterfall, coastal relaxation, and WWII history at a pace that feels genuinely enjoyable.

In this episode, we talk about what makes an Aranui 5 vacation feel so different from a typical cruise vacation—through a conversation with Lehi about shore excursions, island experiences, and optional add-ons. Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com are the best places to begin if you want help choosing the right sailing and designing a vacation that matches your preferred pace, comfort, and activity level. Normand Schafer records this conversation onboard, and Lehi’s 14 years guiding on Aranui gives listeners a clear picture of how the days ashore actually work, not just how they look in photos.

Lehi explains the core feature that shapes the vacation experience: excursions are included at every port. That single fact changes the feel of the trip. Instead of constantly deciding what to book or worrying about availability, you wake up each day knowing there’s a meaningful plan—especially valuable in remote places where transportation and infrastructure are naturally limited. It also makes the vacation feel cohesive. Over the course of roughly 13 days, the ship’s rhythm and the shore program create a shared journey, and Lehi describes how that shared journey builds a family-like atmosphere onboard.

Nuku Hiva is used as a prime example of an Aranui “big day.” Lehi describes a safari-style outing that can run from early morning into late afternoon, traveling in local jeeps and four-wheel drives, visiting important sites like a cathedral and archaeological locations, and sharing lunch ashore with island hosts. The welcome often includes music and dance, and guests are invited to join in if they want. Normand highlights a vacation detail that feels surprisingly adventurous: the ship may reposition while guests cross the island, so your day becomes a true island crossing rather than a simple return to the same harbor. That movement adds variety without forcing you to plan anything yourself.

The episode also covers how the vacation experience shifts across archipelagos. In lagoon areas such as Rangiroa, optional experiences like dolphin observation and glass-bottom boat outings can be available as add-ons, giving travelers a chance to tailor their vacation day toward wildlife or water time. In Bora Bora, optional aquatic activities may appear again, but Lehi points to the included motu picnic as a highlight—often feeling like the perfect “last lunch” moment near the end of the voyage, when everyone onboard has become familiar and the trip feels celebratory.

For travelers who want an active vacation, Lehi describes the Fatu Hiva crossing from Omoa to Hanavave—about 15 km for hikers. He also explains alternatives that let you keep the vacation enjoyable rather than exhausting: a four-wheel-drive option or simply returning to the ship and sailing around to meet the group on the other side. That flexibility is part of why Aranui works well for mixed groups. Everyone can share the destination and the story, even if they choose different intensity levels.

The episode also touches on a cultural vacation day in Hiva Oa connected to Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel, with options to hike and pass through the cemetery or ride by bus. Lehi notes that transportation can involve local school buses, reinforcing that this is island life, not a manufactured tourist zone. And throughout the conversation, a simple vacation truth emerges: the more you relax into the pace, stay cool, and trust the logistics, the more magical the day feels. If you want a vacation that blends culture, scenery, and real connection—and you want the planning handled by experts—Far and Away Adventures can help you choose and book the right Aranui 5 journey.