In this episode, we talk about “where to go next” in French Polynesia when you want something truly remote: the Marquesas Islands and the Austral Islands—discussed onboard the Aranui 5 with guide Steven Tahhiva. To plan your next Tahiti trip with the right routing and timing, visit Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com.

Steven shares the kind of perspective you only get after decades at sea. He has worked 21 years with the Aranui company, starting in dishwashing and moving through restaurant service, kitchen, bar, and reception before joining the guide team in 2010. That range helps him explain what different travelers are really looking for—comfort, safety, and connection—and how the Aranui’s small-ship environment makes it easier to feel grounded even when you’re traveling far from the usual tourist paths. Norm reflects on returning to the ship over many years and why the experience can feel like coming home, especially when crew members remember guests and families.

We explore the “choice” many adventurous Tahiti travelers face: the Marquesas versus the Australs. In the Marquesas, Steven points to Nuku Hiva for its variety and Fatu Hiva for its dramatic landscape and hiking—places where the terrain and the culture feel powerful and distinct. Norm recalls long hikes and iconic viewpoints like Virgin’s Bay. In the Austral Islands, we talk about places like Rurutu and Rapa and why these islands can feel even more remote—smaller communities, different topography, and summit views that leave you speechless.

The episode also highlights what makes the Aranui’s guiding culture special: multilingual support (French, English, and German), and a Polynesian approach to hospitality rooted in sharing. Steven tells a moving story about a passenger who stayed behind on Nuku Hiva with his family to experience daily life, returning emotional and grateful—an example of travel becoming connection. We also touch on Aranoa (discussed in the episode as coming in 2027) and what a smaller ship focused on the Australs could offer. If you’re deciding where to go next, Far and Away Adventures can help you match your priorities—culture, hiking, remoteness, and comfort—to the right itinerary and the right extensions.

In this episode, we talk about the Austral Islands with veteran archaeologist Mark Eddowes, exploring why this remote corner of French Polynesia is a powerful answer to the question, “Where should we go next?” Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com are included early because the Australs are not a spontaneous add-on destination; they’re best experienced with expert planning that matches the sailing, the season, and the cultural etiquette of small communities. Normand Schafer interviews Mark onboard Aranui 5 while sailing through the Australs, and the conversation offers a rare combination of history, practical advice, and destination clarity for travelers craving something beyond the usual.

Mark begins with his personal journey into archaeology, rooted in New Zealand and Māori history interests, then graduate research on Polynesian marae temples. He explains how fieldwork in Tahiti’s Papenoo Valley brought him into long-term work with French Polynesia’s cultural heritage, and that perspective matters for travelers choosing what’s “next.” The Australs aren’t simply pretty islands; they are places where sacred sites and living culture remain central, and where visiting well requires awareness, patience, and respect. If you’re tired of destinations that feel built for visitors first, the Australs offer the opposite: a place where community life still leads, and travelers are guests in a functioning cultural world.

Mark explains that the Austral Islands and Cook Islands were historically one unified cultural and language zone, later divided into different territories, with history diverging from around 1900 onward. His work across islands like Rimatara, Tubuai, and Raivavae includes marae surveys, settlement excavations, and research into tiki traditions. One of the most compelling “next destination” hooks is Raivavae’s unique tiki tradition, where deified female ancestors are represented—distinct from other island groups that emphasize male ancestors.

Mark also describes what visitors notice immediately: the Australs remain natural and lightly developed, with small populations and a subtropical climate that can feel fresher than Tahiti or the Marquesas. Daily life still centers on plantations and fishing, supported by strong extended-family structures and community solidarity. For travelers, this often feels deeply restorative: the pace slows down, relationships feel visible, and the environment is less crowded. Mark notes the importance of the cash economy too, and how local artistry supports livelihoods—especially pandanus weaving and a growing renaissance in wood carving as young men revive historic motifs and techniques

The most practical guidance for travelers choosing the Australs next is Mark’s visitor etiquette. He explains taboo and why marae sites remain sacred places: photograph, observe, but don’t climb on structures, don’t touch or rearrange stones, and never take anything. He also notes that royal cemeteries should be observed from outside only. Beyond sites, Mark describes the Australs as conservative and strongly Protestant, and he encourages modest dress away from beaches—simple respect that matters in small, church-centered communities.

Mark closes with discovery stories that make the Australs feel even more compelling: a red volcanic tuff tiki connected to sacred symbolism of the color red across Polynesia, an ancestor figure found reused in a house alignment suggesting belief shifts during early conversion, and turtle petroglyphs revealed only when restored stonework caught sunset light at the right angle. These are the kinds of stories that make a “next trip” feel like a real expedition into human history, not just a change of scenery. If you’re ready to choose the Australs next, Far and Away Adventures can plan and book the itinerary so your experience is remote, respectful, and unforgettable.

In this episode, we talk about Guadalcanal Province in the Solomon Islands as a “where to go next” destination for travelers who want the South Pacific to feel deeper, more varied, and more story-rich than a typical island getaway. Far and Away Adventures.com is where you can start planning with expert help, and you can explore ideas at https://farandawayadventures.com. Normand introduces Guadalcanal as one of the Solomon Islands’ most significant regions and speaks with a guest connected to Guadalcanal tourism efforts about what makes the island distinct and how travelers can experience it in a well-rounded way.

The first reason Guadalcanal stands out is the cultural variety within one island. The guest explains that multiple languages exist on Guadalcanal and that traditions differ by region, so travelers will notice different ways of living and communicating as they move around. This is a powerful “next destination” feature because it offers built-in variety without requiring a complicated multi-island itinerary. If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to feel the differences between places—not just see the same beach with a different name—Guadalcanal offers contrast and nuance in a single province.

The guest points to village visits as one of the most meaningful ways to experience this diversity. Some villages are open to visitors and provide opportunities to see traditional crafts, learn about food preparation, and understand everyday life, including sustainability practices related to how food is grown and how communities maintain resources. These experiences can make a trip feel grounded and respectful, and they often become the stories travelers tell most enthusiastically after they return home.

Nature is another major reason to go next. Tenaru Waterfall is highlighted as a signature attraction and described as the biggest waterfall in the Solomon Islands. For many travelers, a landmark like this becomes the “centerpiece day” of the itinerary—especially if you enjoy inland landscapes and want to go beyond the coast. The guest also notes that Guadalcanal offers beaches where travelers can swim and relax, as well as activities like snorkeling, diving, and fishing for those who want time on the water. Inland, the conversation includes hiking and caves, including a cave area described as having thousands of bats and striking scenery with waterfalls nearby. This coast-plus-interior mix makes Guadalcanal appealing to travelers who want both relaxation and exploration.

Then there’s the history. Guadalcanal is described as a major WWII battleground, and the guest notes that travelers can visit memorials and historic locations around Honiara and beyond. The discussion references the Mount Austen area and other memorial locations near central Honiara, along with the airport region and additional areas outside the capital where war relics remain visible. For travelers choosing “where next,” this history is a defining differentiator: Guadalcanal offers a connection to world events that few island destinations can match.

If you’re deciding where to go next in the South Pacific, Guadalcanal offers a rare three-part blend: living culture, standout nature like Tenaru Waterfall, and WWII history that’s still visible on the landscape. Connect with a Far and Away Adventures specialist to shape an itinerary that matches your pace and priorities—whether you want culture-forward, nature-forward, history-forward, or a balanced mix of all three.

In this episode, we talk about where to go next in French Polynesia and why the Aranui 5 excursion program makes the Marquesas—and nearby archipelagos—feel accessible without feeling “touristy.” Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com are the best places to start if you want help deciding which sailing fits your travel goals and how the days ashore will actually unfold. Normand Schafer speaks onboard with Lehi, a guide with 14 years on Aranui, and the episode is packed with the kind of real-world detail that helps travelers move from dreaming to confidently choosing the next destination.

Lehi begins with the core idea: Aranui is a deluxe freighter cruise, and it feels different from other cruising in French Polynesia because the island experiences are built around connection and inclusion. Excursions are included at every port. That matters for travelers deciding “where next,” because it removes a big barrier to remote destinations: uncertainty. When you visit small islands with limited transportation, it can be intimidating to imagine planning each day independently. On Aranui, the framework is already there—cultural sites, local welcomes, and planned routes—so the next destination feels doable even if you’ve never traveled that remotely before.

The episode highlights Nuku Hiva as a day that often convinces travelers they chose the right “next.” Lehi describes a safari-style experience using local four-wheel drives, stops at a cathedral and an archaeological site, and a lunch ashore where locals welcome guests with music and dance. Normand adds a detail that makes the day feel like true exploration: guests may cross the island while the ship repositions to another harbor, meaning you experience the geography as movement, not just as a viewpoint. For travelers looking for something beyond the usual, that kind of day can feel like a reset—travel as discovery rather than repetition.

Lehi also discusses the emotional difference between island groups, noting how the Marquesas welcome felt deeply heartfelt even compared with other Polynesian contexts. He acknowledges that Polynesia is vast and connected, yet each place has its own language and cultural flavor. That’s valuable for “where next” decision-making because it encourages travelers not to treat French Polynesia as one uniform experience. If you’ve done Tahiti or Moorea-style trips before, the Marquesas can feel like a different world: more mountainous, more hiking-oriented, and more oriented around village welcomes and cultural depth.

Beyond the Marquesas, the conversation touches on how experiences shift in lagoon-focused areas such as Rangiroa, where optional add-ons like dolphin observation and glass-bottom boat outings may be offered. Bora Bora can add more water time and a motu picnic that feels like a signature celebratory moment near the end of the voyage. For hikers, Lehi explains the Fatu Hiva crossing—15 km from Omoa to Hanavave—as a defining adventure day, while also offering alternatives (four-wheel drive or sailing around) for travelers who want the destination without the full trek. That flexibility makes the “next” choice easier, especially for couples or groups with mixed fitness levels.

Finally, Lehi speaks about Hiva Oa and the cultural interest many travelers have in Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel, with both hiking and bus options, sometimes using local school buses. It’s one more reminder that these destinations are living places, and your experience is intertwined with real infrastructure and real community rhythm. If you’re ready to choose where to go next—and you want it to feel both adventurous and supported—Far and Away Adventures can help you select the right Aranui 5 sailing and plan the full itinerary so your next trip is the one you’ll talk about for years.

In this episode, we talk about the Solomon Islands as a “where to go next” destination for travelers who want the South Pacific to feel deeper, more historic, and more adventurous than a standard vacation. 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 makes Guadalcanal and nearby islands distinctive—and how to shape a first trip around the experiences that matter most.

We cover Guadalcanal’s global reputation first: World War II history. Sunila describes popular touring around Honiara and the types of sites and relics that travelers often want to see. If you’ve visited other South Pacific islands for scenery and resort time, the Solomon Islands can offer a different kind of “must-see” experience—one built around stories, landscapes, and history.

But the episode also highlights culture as a key reason to visit. 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. It’s a helpful reminder that the Solomons are made up of many communities with unique traditions, and travelers can engage respectfully by learning and experiencing culture as part of the journey.

For nature lovers, Sunila recommends waterfall trekking, highlighting Tenaru Falls as a popular and rewarding outdoor day near Honiara. We also discuss timing, including why travelers often aim for drier months and what the rainy and cyclone season can mean for planning.

Finally, Sunila offers a “next-level” experience that surprises many first-timers: a full-day volcanic tour on Savo Island, reached by boat from Honiara, with the possibility of dolphin encounters along the way. If you’re deciding where to go next in the South Pacific, this episode frames the Solomon Islands as a destination that blends history, culture, and nature in a way few places can. When you’re ready to plan, connect with a Far and Away Adventures specialist to build the right itinerary and pacing for your trip.

In this episode, we talk about a “where to go next” destination that’s still genuinely remote for most travelers: the Austral Islands of French Polynesia—and why the upcoming Aranoa ship could make this region more accessible in a uniquely authentic way. Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com are included early because deciding where to go next is often easy; designing the right logistics for remote islands is the hard part, and expert planning helps.

Normand Schafer welcomes Leo Colin from Aranui Cruises to discuss Aranui 5 and the Aranoa project, with a focus on what makes these voyages different from conventional cruising. The combined passenger-and-cargo model is central. You’re not just transported to islands; you’re traveling on a working vessel that supplies communities. For travelers who want meaning along with beauty, this matters. It changes what you notice, what you learn, and how you understand the places you visit. Cargo operations become part of the story, and the voyage itself becomes a window into how remote life is sustained across thousands of miles of ocean.

Leo explains that Aranoa is intended to serve the Australs with the same spirit that made Aranui iconic in the Marquesas—while adapting the ship to the realities of the southern islands. The Australs have fewer residents, different supply needs, and sea conditions that can include long southern swells depending on weather systems. Leo describes stabilizers planned for Aranoa to reduce rolling—an important comfort factor for many travelers—and he explains dynamic positioning, which can help the ship hold position without anchoring in some situations, potentially reducing seabed impact. These details are meaningful because they influence both the passenger experience and the way the ship interacts with sensitive environments.

The episode also offers a reminder that choosing “where next” should include an honest look at how travel works in remote regions. Leo shares an example of a tsunami alert that required leaving a bay and waiting at sea, demonstrating how safety directives can override the itinerary. Another story about diesel deliveries highlights the essential nature of cargo and why these voyages matter to communities in practical, immediate ways. For travelers, it’s a compelling reason to consider the Australs not just as a pretty place, but as a living region with real infrastructure needs—and to travel in a way that respects that reality.

If your travel “next” list is craving something beyond the usual—something that feels like discovery, not repetition—this episode will put the Austral Islands on your radar with context and practicality. And when you’re ready to decide whether Aranui 5 now or Aranoa later is your best fit, Far and Away Adventures can help you choose the right timing, plan the right extensions, and book the trip so every connection supports the experience.

In this episode we talk about a “where to go next” decision that’s perfect for travelers who want authenticity without giving up comfort: an Aranui-style deluxe freighter voyage—and how Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com can help you decide if this is the right fit for your travel style and timeline. Normand interviews Charles, a second captain on the Aranui freighter cruise in French Polynesia, and Episode 2 becomes a clear, practical lens for answering: what makes this voyage truly different, and is it the kind of trip you should do next?

The biggest difference is that Aranui is a hybrid operation. Normand describes it as a cruise ship carrying about 250 passengers while also transporting freight and cargo to remote island communities. Charles confirms that this is not a pure cruise ship, and it’s not a pure cargo ship either. You can travel on cargo vessels, but the passenger experience is usually simpler and not designed around hospitality. Here, guests can observe real cargo operations and still enjoy the onboard comforts that make it feel like a vacation. If you’re deciding where to go next, this matters because it helps you match expectations: this trip is for travelers who enjoy the “working life” part of travel, not just the polished surface.

Charles shares his personal story—years of global cruise ship experience, then a decision to shift and sail closer to home, choosing French Polynesia precisely because it was unfamiliar to him. He signed a short contract and kept extending until it became seven years. Normand notes the family atmosphere onboard, and Charles agrees the crew is tight-knit. If you’re choosing your next trip based on “feel,” that’s a meaningful clue. Aranui often feels more personal because the crew dynamic is strong and guests can sense it.

Episode 2’s core is cargo: how it’s moved, where it goes, and what you’ll see. Charles explains that deliveries aren’t always as simple as docking at a pier. In some places the ship anchors and uses cranes to load barges, which then ferry goods to shore. Normand shares the striking visual of watching a car loaded onto a barge as swell moved everything up and down—exactly the kind of moment that turns into a lifelong travel memory.

Charles also emphasizes self-sufficiency. He contrasts Aranui with large commercial cargo ships that often rely on major port infrastructure—pilots, tugs, shore cranes. Here, he describes performing tricky maneuvers and discharging cargo with onboard equipment like cranes and forklifts, often without outside support. That operational independence is a big part of why Aranui can serve remote islands and why the voyage feels so authentic.

Then there’s the cargo that surprises you. Charles says they sometimes transport large animals—horses, cows, dogs—using ventilated containers on deck, with crew feeding and monitoring. And the story that sums up “real life at sea”: a shipment of sheep where one gave birth onboard, so a delivery of seven became a delivery of eight. These moments highlight the voyage’s purpose: it supports communities, and guests witness that support firsthand.

The episode also touches on return freight, including fruit exports from the Marquesas—lemons and large citrus (pamplemousse). Normand connects this to the broader network, mentioning distribution that can include places like Rangiroa and Bora Bora, and Charles references refrigerated containers and onward movement by smaller ships. If you’re deciding your next trip and you want travel that teaches you how a region functions, not just what it looks like, Aranui is a strong candidate.

If this sounds like your kind of next journey, planning matters. Sailing dates, cabin choice, and pre/post island time can shape the entire experience. Start with Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com to build a plan that fits your priorities so you can enjoy the voyage’s authenticity with confidence.

In this episode, we talk about a “where to go next” decision many travelers dream about: choosing an Aranui 5 (or Aranoa) voyage in French Polynesia—and understanding what the experience is really like behind the scenes. If you want expert help deciding which voyage fits your travel style and how to plan it smoothly, visit https://farandawayadventures.com. Normand interviews Spencer Hata Utuya, a guide onboard Aranui 5, to learn what guides do to make each sailing feel culturally immersive, and what travelers should expect when island plans change.

Spencer’s personal story is a useful entry point because it shows how much the experience depends on people, not just ports. He studied business management and marketing and didn’t expect to work in tourism. After returning home and not landing his first choices due to lack of experience, he found a guide job onboard the ship and began in September 2022. By late 2025, he had learned what remote-island voyaging demands: constant preparation, cultural knowledge, and the ability to pivot gracefully when a day doesn’t follow the original plan.

One major takeaway for anyone deciding “where to go next” is that these voyages are dynamic by nature. Spencer explains that the team begins preparing the next sailing’s program during the current voyage, often in the final days before the trip ends. They lay out the structure—daily schedule, excursions, and connections—but they keep room for adjustments because changes can come from local communities, contractors, tourism offices, and island organizations. His phrasing matters: nothing is set in stone, and even the night before arrival something can change. That’s not a reason to avoid the trip; it’s a reason to approach it with the right mindset. If you want travel that’s deeply connected to local communities, flexibility is part of the deal.

On an Australs sailing, a bus tour ran into a chain of disruptions: a vehicle ran out of gas, a replacement required keys retrieved from home, and guests waited. Spencer explains how guides use those moments to keep the day meaningful by walking around, talking about the island’s landscape, and socializing with guests so waiting doesn’t feel like wasted time.

Another important “where to go next” insight is how shore experiences are built through partnerships. Spencer explains that contracting and budgets are managed at higher levels, with set spending per island. Associations and partners may change depending on cost and organization. He also notes that religious schedules can affect who works on which days, meaning a visit might be hosted by different local groups on different voyages. This is a reminder that the experience isn’t scripted; it’s collaborative, and that collaboration is part of what makes it feel authentic.

Normand adds a perspective many repeat guests share: Aranui feels different because staff are from French Polynesia and share culture from lived experience, not from a generic cruise script. Spencer reinforces that by describing his own nightly study practice—reviewing notes even when he knows the material—to keep the experience fresh for each group of travelers. If you’re deciding where to go next and you want cultural immersion, this behind-the-scenes look suggests that who is guiding you matters as much as where you’re going.

Spencer’s first-timer advice also helps you decide if this trip fits your style. He suggests packing good shoes for hikes, water shoes for coral environments, repellent, and a raincoat for sudden weather. He emphasizes arriving with an open mind and letting go of preconceived judgments, because Polynesian hospitality is warm and sometimes physically friendly. If that kind of cultural closeness and real-world flexibility sounds exciting rather than stressful, Aranui 5 or Aranoa may be exactly the “where to go next” answer you’re looking for. For expert planning and the right sailing match, connect with https://farandawayadventures.com.