The waters are the purest shades of blue, the mountains covered in every shade of deep green, and the people extend a warm welcome to visitors.

At Kosrae Village couples sleep in authentic Kosraen cottages tucked beneath coconut and pandanus trees with views of the white sand beaches.

Cottages are postcard perfect with pitched palm thatched roofs, elevated floors, hardwood porches, and reed woven walls.

Couples can follow the candlelit wooden pathways to Inum Restaurant, an island favorite, or to Sleeping Lady Divers, the resort’s PADI 5 Star Diver Center. During the day endless adventures await from scuba diving and snorkeling pristine coral reefs or paddling outrigger canoes through dense mangroves to hiking through lush tropical rainforests or searching for ancient relics.

Couples looking for a peaceful retreat from chaotic urban lifestyles may choose to look for tide pools along the beach, learn weaving from craftswomen, or spend an evening fishing with the locals.

For a true romantic getaway, couples can escape to their island paradise: Kosrae.

On Kosrae, travelers can experience a culture that dates back thousands of years.

In addition to visiting archaeological sites like Lelu and Menka, interested visitors may discover traditions and skills still used by friendly Kosraens. Learn weaving techniques from local women, join professional fishermen and blue water hunters on the water, observe boat carvers shaping canoes, paddle mangroves with local guides aboard outrigger canoes, maybe even join a handful of Kosrae men on a hunting expedition.

Accommodations at Kosrae Village, an eco lodge and PADI 5 Star Dive Center, recreate the look of an authentic island town with palm frond roofs, elevated floors, and woven reed walls.

Cottages and buildings were constructed by Kosrean craftsmen using traditional building methods and practices with modern amenities added for the comfort of guests.

A brief history of Kosrae waits in each room, hopefully to inspire your island adventures.

The footprint of other modern civilizations can be found around the island and beneath her waters. Scuba divers can visit the resting places of a 19th century whaler and a ship once captained by notorious pirate Bully Hayes. Bunkers, a beach radio station, and a couple of underwater plane wreckages are reminders of the Japanese occupation during WWII. Start planning your trip through history with a visit to Kosrae.

www.kosraevillage.com

Palau’s Rock Islands Southern Lagoon has been added to the World Heritage list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

According to UNESCO’s website, the islands are a mixed site for both cultural and natural properties.

The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon covers 100,200 hectares and numbers 445 uninhabited limestone islands of volcanic origin. Many of them display unique mushroom-like shapes in turquoise lagoons surrounded by coral reefs.

The aesthetic beauty of the site is heightened by a complex reef system featuring over 385 coral species and different types of habitat. They sustain a large diversity of plants, birds and marine life including dugong and at least 13 shark species.

The site harbors the highest concentration of marine lakes anywhere, isolated bodies of seawater separated from the ocean by land barriers.

They are among the islands’ distinctive features and sustain high endemism of populations which continue to yield new species discoveries.

The well-known biodiversity of the Republic of Palau lies in the marine and terrestrial environment of the Rock Islands where important habitats threatened and endangered species are situated. The significant aesthetic and culture values of the landscape of the Southern Lagoon are integral to the identity of the State and the island nation.

Located in the westernmost corner of Micronesia, Palau is an archipelago of more than 586 islands with about 20,000 inhabitants. Consistently ranked as one of the world’s best dive destinations, Palau has spectacular water features and beaches as well as the Rock Islands and Jellyfish Lake. With 1,450 species of fish and 500 species of coral, some have identified Palau as “One of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World.”

Enthusiasts are invited to sign up for an adrenalin-inspired shark event, dive with Palau sharks during their mating season, be part of shark data collection and shark research, attend evening seminars, and mingle with the world’s most celebrated conservation leaders.

Additionally, dives for Palau’s Shark Week are dedicated to shark behavior and aggregation patterns.

Micronesian Shark PADI specialty is incorporated into the program and each participant will obtain the designation based on their participation.

Packages start from $1,250 per person for seven nights stay at West Plaza Hotel, and five days of diving two tanks a day, Shark Week T-shirt, Shark Week book, special Shark Week 2013 DVD, PADI specialty, Palauan gourmet gala dinner, prizes and breathtaking experiences.

For more information, email info@msfpalu.org

or info@fishnfins.com

Orion Expedition Cruises has released its 2013 Calendar of Sailings itineraries for the luxury expedition cruise ship Orion.

Offering voyages that appeal to intrepid travelers who have “been everywhere,” Orion embodies its motto “a path less traveled,” allowing guests to explore from the polar reaches of Antarctica to the tropical climes of Borneo, including expeditions to Western Australia’s Kimberley outback, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, New Zealand and the sub Antarctic Islands.

Eight years of operational experience is reflected across a range of forty 5 to 20 night itineraries capturing the very best regional destinations—from climbing active volcanoes in Melanesia to viewing pre-historic rock art in the Kimberley of North West Australia or an introduction to the ancient cultures of Papua New Guinea.

Travelers can walk in the footsteps of polar explorers at the historic Antarctic base camps of Mawson, Scott and Shackleton and encounter extensive wild life in its natural habitat – crocodiles in Western Australia’s Kimberley outback, dragons in Komodo, rare birdlife in the sub Antarctic islands and endangered species of primate in Borneo.

Offering a departure from the “floating mega mall”-style cruise, Orion offers a compact purpose-built luxury expedition vessel designed to carry just 100 guests in great comfort with a crew of 75 providing attentive, yet unobtrusive service.

No matter how adventurous or remote the expedition, travelers with Orion always return to the on-board comforts akin to a small luxury hotel. Highlights from the 2013 Orion Expedition Cruises Calendar of Sailings include:

January 7: 18 night Mawson’s Antarctica – includes sub Antarctic Islands

January 15: 20 night Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctica – includes sub Antarctic Islands
New Zealand Golf Cruise – includes Marlborough Sounds, Napier and exclusive golf courses

February 24: South Pacific Splendour – includes Bay of Islands and Norfolk Island

March 6: Melanesia & Solomon Islands – includes Utupua, Ngella and Marovo Lagoon

March 16 and 27: Papua New Guinea Highlights – includes Watam Village (Sepik River), Tufi and Kitava

April 7: West Papua and Malaku – Includes Wewak, Urbanasi Island, Mapia Atoll

April 18 through September 5: Kimberley – includes Crocodile Creek, Hunter River, Raft Point, King George Falls and inclusive Bungle Bungle flight

September 15: Kimberley and Spice Islands – includes Ashmore Reef, West Timor, Sumba, Komodo and Badas Sumbawa

September 29: Borneo Discovery – includes Komodo, Sulawesi

October 25 and November 18: Camp Leakey (Borneo) – includes Tambilan Island, Natuna Islands, Bako National Park

Absent from the Calendar of Sailings for 2013 are itineraries for Orion II, which will be returned to its owners mid-November 2012 and will no longer be used by the company for expeditions beyond that date.

“We have not been satisfied with some performance aspects—such as the fuel efficiency of the vessel—and therefore have decided to return the ship at the completion of the first charter term,” says Sarina Bratton, Founder & Managing Director of Orion Expedition Cruises. “Small things make the difference and set Orion apart and I look forward to making an announcement regarding another vessel soon.”

“We will continue with our scheduled 2012 Orion II voyages to Borneo, the Russian Far East, Inland Sea of Japan, Vietnam and China, but do not anticipate having a replacement vessel in Asia during 2013, so if planning to visit these destinations then 2012 is the year to do this.”

Orion II voyages for the balance of 2012 include expeditions to the Yangtze Delta (Kobe to Shanghai) and Shanghai to Tawau (Yangtze, Taiwan, Philippines), Java and the temples of Borobudur.

Generous advance purchase options are available for those who act swiftly with lowest price savings guarantees of up to 40% off published prices. Savings vary by itinerary. Additional incentives are offered for back to back voyages.

Further information on Orion Expedition Cruises can be obtained by visiting the website www.orionexpeditions.com ahead of release of the 2013 brochure.

For reservations, or to obtain a brochure of 2012 or 2013 voyages, call Orion Expedition Cruises: (877) ORION-US (674 6687) or Email: inquiry@orionexpeditions.com

About Orion Expedition Cruises

Founded in early 2004, Orion Expedition Cruises is the only world class expedition cruise line operating from Australia to pristine wilderness areas in Antarctica, the Kimberley, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia and Asia. Orion is known worldwide for its new and diverse itineraries and sustainable operations.

Orion is designed to fulfill the desire of the sophisticated traveler for experience driven, cultural and nature based tourism that allow for a more informed and in-depth interpretation of, and interaction with, destinations and their people. Providing the comfort and luxuries that today’s travelers expect in a specially designed vessel that provides access to areas otherwise largely unreachable through conventional means, Orion truly provides a path less traveled.

Helly Hansen HP Race Smock Sailing Top Helly Hansen HP Race Smock Sailing Top

Kosrae Village Accepting Volunteers for 2012 Coral Monitoring Project

KOSRAE, Micronesia- Kosrae Village is beginning to accept volunteer divers for the 2012 Kosrae Coral Monitoring Project. The project will be in its 17th year, and is the longest running program of its kind.

Kosrae Village recently announced dates for the 2012 project, October 6-18, and is inviting volunteers to begin registering. During the two week program, scuba divers from around the world work with local Kosraens to survey the health of some of the world’s last remaining pristine fringing reefs. Volunteers are trained in surveying techniques, taking measurements, and gathering images without damaging the reefs. Last year divers were asked to take digital photos as a new element of the project.

After training and check out dives, a typical day on the project includes two dives: one working and one exploratory. Turtles, tropical fish, rainbow runners, rays, and barracuda will join divers in their explorations. Average water temperature is around 84 F with visibility over 150 ft. In the evenings volunteers gather at Kosrae Village to review the photos, identifying marine species and coral. After discussing the day’s results, the information is uploaded to the Kosrae database. While the information is shared directly with state and regional databases, the data is available to interested parties around the world.

Data from the Coral Monitoring Project has resulted in the creation of protected areas around the island, the declaration of the Bumphead Parrotfish as a protected species, changes in local attitudes about sustainable fishing practices, and the identification of new marine species.

Volunteers are hosted at Kosrae Village, an eco lodge and PADI 5-Star Dive Center, which helped found multiple reef protection projects. Accommodations are thatched beachfront cottages. Local craftsmen constructed Kosrae Village using traditional building practices and sustainable materials. Kosrae Village has a strong commitment to protecting and preserving the local environment and traditions.

To register for the Coral Monitoring Project or for more information about Kosrae Village contact Katrina Adams as Katrina@kosraevillage.com  or visit www.kosraevillage.com.

Now it’s time to extend the blissful newly-wed feeling, on a honeymoon in the South Pacific. As you fly over the vast Pacific Ocean, the appearance of Kosrae with her lush forests, sandy shores, and misty mountain, will seem a wonderful apparition.

Each day you can choose to relax on the crowd-free beaches or try a new island adventure.

From kayaking mangroves and searching for ancient ruins to hiking the rainforest and snorkeling the warm waters, Kosrae has numerous activities for guests.

At Kosrae Village, couples can enjoy thatched, beachfront cottages that resemble an authentic local village, but with added modern amenities.

Imagine falling asleep beneath a palm frond roof, to the rhythmic sounds of crashing waves. Guests can follow candlelit pathways to the island’s top restaurant, Inum, where local produce and fresh fish are used in inspired meals. Kosrae Village is a PADI 5 Star Dive Center, so couples can learn to scuba dive together and explore the rich reefs and underwater coral gardens.

The honeymoon bubble never seems to last long enough, so enjoy your time away from crowds, work, and the web. Internet and phones are available if you need them, but we don’t think you’ll even notice.

www.kosraevillage.com

The two-week long project attracts volunteer divers from around the world. New in the last year volunteer scuba divers will now be asked to take photos of the reefs as a way of detecting changes. Diving conditions typically include 150+ foot visibility with air and water temperatures around 84°F.

Kosrae Village, an eco lodge and PADI 5 Star Dive Center, is very active in the project and helps subsidize costs for volunteers. During the project, volunteers enjoy sleeping beneath the palm fronds of traditional Kosraen cottages and listening to the nearby waves calming crashing. Learn more about the history of the Coral Monitoring Project and other Reef Protection Projects on Kosrae at www.kosraevillage.com

www.kosraevillage.com

Miami, FL – White sand beaches in Fiji, volcanic peaks and lush rainforests in French Polynesia, the world’s largest lagoon in the Isle of Pines, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef – the wonders of the South Pacific are within easy reach for guests aboard Compagnie du Ponant’s newest mega-yacht, L’Austral. The two March itineraries are designed for the traveler who prefers visits to off-the-beaten­-path, unspoiled destinations, on a ship that is well-suited to sailing into the smaller, less-visited ports, especially one that has been rated as a “Cleanship” by Bureau Veritas. The 16-day “Papeete – Noumea itinerary,” departing March 2, visits 10 ports between French Polynesia and New Caledonia, including the stunning island of Moorea, named “the most beautiful island in the world” by Arthur Frommer, and Fiji’s capital city of Suva, home to a large expat community. On March 17, L’Austral sets sail on its 15-day “Noumea – Darwin” itinerary, exploring several French and Australian treasures, such as the Isle of Pines, nicknamed l’île la plus proche du paradis (“the closest island to paradise”), and the Great Barrier Reef. Stylish accommodations, elegant design, and discrete and attentive personalized service – assured by a staff to guest ratio of greater than 1:2 – all contribute to the guest’s “private yachting experience.” Prices range from $6,075 to $16,070 per person, double, for the “Papeete – Noumea” itinerary and $5,670 to $14,998 for “Noumea – Darwin.”

Guests on the “Papeete – Noumea” cruise visit several French Polynesian ports, including the capital city of Papeete, on the island of Tahiti; the pristine beaches of Moorea; Raiatea, an agricultural island producing vanilla, pineapple and coconut; and Bora Bora, a volcanic island surrounded by a veritable aquarium of whale sharks, manta rays and sea turtles. After stops in Aitutaki and Rarotonga, two of the Cook Islands, the ship makes its way across the International Date Line to the Vava’u island chain in Tonga and the Fiji islands of Fulaga and Suva. The voyage concludes in the same port that the second cruise begins: the protected deep water harbor of Noumea, the capital city of the French territory.

The “Noumea – Darwin” itinerary sails to the fore mentioned Isle of Pines before continuing on and spending three days at the Great Barrier Reef, whose vulnerable and endangered species reside among 2900 reefs and 900 islands stretching more than 1,600 miles. On the mainland of Australia, the ship ports in Townsville, known for “The Strand,” a tropical beach and garden strip; Cooktown, with its rich biodiversity; and the tropical cities of Cairns and Port Douglas. L’Austral then stops at Australia’s most northerly town, Thursday Island, before making its final port of Darwin, the Northern Territory’s most populous city.

The 466-foot L’Austral mega-yacht instills a feeling of sailing on a private yacht while also providing guests all of the comforts of a true vacation. The “Cleanship”-rated ship boasts two restaurants with delicious cuisine – both haute and country French, several spacious lounges, theater, games area, two open-air bars, a swimming pool, library, fitness area, expansive sun decks, and comprehensive spa in partnership with Paris’s Sothys. The 132 well-appointed staterooms, 124 with private balconies, have king size or twin beds, desk, minibar, dressing table, marble baths with showers, L’Occitane products and all the latest technology, including flat screen satellite TVs and Wi-Fi. The “Cleanship” rating is given to vessels that exceed the MARPOL convention for waste treatment, antifouling or propulsion systems, a very select group.

Included in all sailings are all meals, accompanied by wine, beer and soda; Captain’s welcome aboard cocktail party and gala dinner; 24-hour room service; and all entertainment, events and shows as indicated within the itinerary. Port charges/taxes, gratuities, optional excursions and transfers are additional.

Established in 1988, Compagnie du Ponant is a member of both La Charte Bleue d’Armateurs de France and IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators). All of Compagnie du Ponant’s ships and cruise itineraries are designed to protect marine wildlife, coastal environments and local flora and fauna.

Compagnie du Ponant’s North American sales office is located at: 2 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 2000, Miami, Florida 33131. For reservations and further information, call: 1-305-398-9849 or toll free: 1-888-400-1082; fax: 1-877-533-3043; email: USreservations@ponant.com  or go to www.en.ponant.com

A place where you can wander through underwater gardens, race through tropical rainforests in search of hidden ruins, paddle through mysterious mangrove channels and fall asleep in a cottage on the beach?

Kosrae Village in the South Pacific has an adventure for everyone after stepping off the plane.

Underwater Playgrounds- Ever wonder what it would be like to swim with Nemo? Scuba dive or snorkel at sites like Hiroshi Point or Walung Coral Gardens and watch colorful fish and invertebrates play. Keep a look out for turtles, rays, urchins, and anemones.

Diving classes and all gear are available with Sleeping Lady Divers.

Mangroves Paddle outrigger canoes or kayaks through Kosrae’s mangroves where trees appear to be walking through water. A local guide can show you the way, and maybe the next day you can strike out on your own.
Ancient Ruins Search for signs of ancient civilizations on the island.

When hiking through the rainforest, watch for ancient ceremonial sites or artifacts.

You can even visit a manmade island, which was once home to Kosraen royalty. Modern historical relics are also sprinkled around the island. Take a trip to a WW II bunker or search for a Japanese radio.

All of these adventures and others such as beachcombing, surfing, fishing, weaving, and tidepooling can be found on Kosrae. Kosrae Village’s Family Fun package includes 6 nights and 7 days for less than $550 per person. Kids under 12 stay free.
www.kosraevillage.com