We woke up on Christmas morning to a bright, sunny, beautiful day as National Geographic Orion made her way south from Vanuatu towards Norfolk Island. The ship was in great spirits as we enjoyed a beautiful breakfast on the back deck and a mellow morning. A record number of participants (a whopping 25!) joined wellness specialist Belinda Quinlivian in the lounge for Christmas Yoga! Meanwhile, red-footed boobies circled the ship and caught flying fish. It was not long before we were ready for our Christmas feast. Expertly prepared by the galley team, the offerings were abundant and luscious! No one was shy, and multiple helpings were consumed! The expedition staff helped serve the food and bus dishes, a small gesture to illustrate our gratitude for the amazing work and care that the crew puts into making this ship feel like such a wonderful family. Everyone certainly misses their home extra on Christmas, but I can’t think of a better place to spend Christmas than here on National Geographic Orion. At lunch, the winners of the Christmas door decorating contest were announced, and everyone enjoyed an amazing abundance of desserts. We gathered in the evening for a recap, followed by more feasting on the back deck. It was a relaxed but beautiful day out here in the Coral Sea. Merry Christmas to all!
12/19/2022
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National Geographic Orion
Utupua, Solomon Islands
Shortly after breakfast, National Geographic photographer Massimo Bassano presented on the stories about Melanesia that have been published by National Geographic. Afterwards, we sailed into the harbor at Utupua, which is part of the Santa Cruz Islands. The island has a population of roughly 1,000 people and is located 66 kilometers southeast of the main Santa Cruz group between Vanikoro and Nendo Islands. Three Oceanic languages are spoken on the island—Amba, Asumbuo, and Tainimbill. These three languages only have a few hundred speakers each and are highly endangered. All three are almost completely undocumented. Everyone went out on the bow while we pulled into Utupua's stunning harbor. Palm trees lined the beaches, and wooden canoes floated in the water. We took Zodiacs ashore, and people from the Nembao village welcomed us with a song and dance performance. The main dancers blew into a conch shell, and a group of people decorated with leaves and flowers ran out to jokingly attack the boat. Everyone gathered on straw mats to watch a series of local dances featuring men, women, and children from the village. Their elaborate attire was made from local materials, including banana leaves and flowers. After the dances, we explored the village and talked to locals. After lunch, we took Zodiac tours to explore the calm waters around the island and observe the mangrove ecosystems that are so critical to this part of the world.