In this episode, we talk about the Austral Islands with veteran archaeologist Mark Eddowes, who works with French Polynesia’s Ministry of Culture, sharing what travellers should know about marae temples, tiki traditions, local etiquette, and how culture has evolved over centuries. Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com are the best places to begin if you want an expert to plan an Austral Islands voyage or extension with the right cultural context and respectful pacing. Normand Schafer records this conversation onboard Aranui 5 while sailing deeper into the Australs, and it’s one of those rare interviews where history, travel, and practical guidance come together in a way that’s immediately useful.

Mark begins by explaining his path into archaeology—growing up in New Zealand with early interest in Māori history, then studying Polynesian marae temples at university. He shares how a major collaborative research effort brought him to Tahiti: fieldwork in the Papenoo Valley, where a proposed hydroelectric dam intersected with a landscape full of archaeological sites. That experience shaped his career and led to long-term work documenting and researching sites across French Polynesia. His perspective is grounded not only in artifacts, but in the lived reality that modern development, conservation, and cultural protection often collide.

Mark explains that the Austral Islands and the Cook Islands were historically a unified cultural and language zone, later divided into different territories. He describes work he has done across Rimatara and Tubuai—surveying marae sites and excavating settlement history—and then introduces one of the most intriguing cultural distinctions in the region: Raivavae’s tiki tradition. In Raivavae, tiki figures are associated with deified female ancestors, contrasting with other islands where male ancestors are more commonly represented. Mark also discusses how settlement influences appear to differ across the archipelago, with Raivavae showing clear ties to Marquesas settlement patterns while other islands align more strongly with Society Islands origins.

Travelers will appreciate how Mark links archaeology to what you actually notice on the ground. He describes the Australs as remarkably natural and lightly developed, with small populations and a subtropical climate that feels fresher than Tahiti or the Marquesas. Daily life still revolves around plantations and fishing, with a strong family and community solidarity that shapes everything from work patterns to how food and resources are shared.

The most important practical section of the episode is Mark’s guidance on respectful visiting. He explains the Polynesian concept of taboo and why marae sites remain sacred places, even in Christian communities today. His advice is straightforward: photograph freely, but don’t climb on sites, don’t touch or rearrange stones, and never remove anything. He also mentions that certain places—such as royal cemeteries—should be observed from outside only, respecting local boundaries

The conversation closes with some standout discoveries from Mark’s career: a red volcanic tuff tiki tied to sacred symbolism of the color red across Polynesia, an ancestor figure found reused within a house alignment that suggests how belief systems shifted during early Christian conversion eras, and turtle petroglyphs revealed only after a restored stone stood upright and caught sunset light at the right angle. For travellers, these stories create a richer lens for visiting museums and sites—and Mark even points listeners to the importance of museum collections for viewing Austral artifacts that are difficult to access or have been lost over time. If you want to explore the Australs with deeper insight and the right logistics, Far and Away Adventures can plan and book the full journey so you experience the islands respectfully, comfortably, and with context that stays with you long after you return home.

In this episode, we talk about Guadalcanal Province in the Solomon Islands—why it’s one of the country’s most important regions for travelers who want a mix of history, living culture, and natural beauty. 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 conversation and speaks with a guest connected to Guadalcanal tourism efforts about what visitors can expect when they explore the island beyond a quick stop in Honiara.

The episode begins with context: Guadalcanal is described as one of the biggest islands in the Solomons and home to Honiara, the nation’s capital. The guest shares that multiple languages exist on the island and emphasizes a key point for trip planning—Guadalcanal isn’t culturally “one-note.” Different areas of the island have different traditions and ways of living, and travelers can notice these differences as they move from one region to another. That sets up one of the most rewarding visitor experiences discussed: village visits. The guest highlights villages that are open to visitors, where travelers can experience traditional crafts, food preparation, and everyday life, including the way communities grow food and practice sustainability. For many travelers, these interactions become the moments that make a destination feel personal and memorable.

Nature is another central pillar of the conversation. Tenaru Waterfall is highlighted as a standout attraction—described as the largest waterfall in the Solomon Islands—and positioned as a must-see for travelers who want an inland adventure that complements time on the coast. The guest also mentions the variety of natural experiences available: coastal beaches for swimming and relaxing, and ocean activities like snorkeling, diving, and fishing for travelers who want to add time on the water. Inland, the discussion touches on mountain areas where hiking and caves can be part of the experience, including a cave location noted for large numbers of bats and dramatic scenery nearby. The overall message is that Guadalcanal can deliver both “easy” nature days and more adventurous excursions, depending on your travel style.

Of course, Guadalcanal’s global recognition is closely tied to WWII history, and the guest addresses that directly. Guadalcanal is described as a major WWII battleground, with places travelers can visit that include memorials and historic areas around Honiara and farther out. The guest references sites such as the Mount Austen area (including a Japanese memorial), a US memorial location near central Honiara, and the Henderson area near the airport, along with additional places outside the city where war relics can still be seen. For travelers, the key is weaving history into an itinerary without losing the broader story of the island—its people, languages, and landscapes.

If you’re considering the Solomon Islands, this episode offers a simple planning framework: combine village-based cultural experiences, at least one signature nature day like Tenaru Waterfall, and thoughtfully paced historic touring around Guadalcanal. When you’re ready, connect with a Far and Away Adventures specialist to design an itinerary that fits your pace and helps you experience Guadalcanal with depth and confidence.

In this episode, we talk about the Aranui 5 shore excursions and island experiences that make a deluxe freighter cruise feel so different from standard cruising. Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com are your best resources if you want an expert to plan the right sailing and help you match the onboard rhythm with the kinds of days ashore you’ll enjoy most. Normand Schafer records this conversation onboard with Lehi, a guide who has spent 14 years helping guests experience the Marquesas and beyond in a way that’s cultural, immersive, and surprisingly personal.

Lehi explains what many first-time passengers don’t realize until they arrive: Aranui includes excursions at every port, which creates a consistent framework for the trip. There’s always something organized and meaningful to do, even before you consider optional upgrades. He walks through what that looks like on a classic Marquesas itinerary, starting with Nuku Hiva—often a full-day experience that can run from morning into late afternoon. Guests head out in local jeeps and four-wheel drives, visit key sites such as a cathedral and archaeological areas, and then share lunch ashore where island hosts often welcome everyone with songs and dance. It’s not a performance at arm’s length; it feels participatory and warm, and that warmth is a big part of why guests return.

The episode also highlights the practical side of running excursions in small, remote places. Lehi describes how transportation resources vary by island—some locations can handle vehicles for all passengers, while others require more careful logistics. Normand and Lehi talk candidly about guest expectations, too: on hot sunny days, people sometimes rush outside, grow impatient, or feel overwhelmed when buses and vehicles don’t appear instantly. Hearing this from someone who manages the flow is useful because it reframes the experience: you’re visiting places where infrastructure is limited by design and by scale, and the best experience comes from pacing yourself and leaning into the island rhythm rather than fighting it.

You’ll also hear how Aranui supports different needs without losing authenticity. When meals happen ashore, the cooking methods and flavors can be distinctly local, including traditional earth-oven styles in some places. At the same time, Lehi explains that special diets are supported by preparing appropriate food onboard and bringing it ashore so travelers can still participate fully in the day. That detail matters for anyone traveling with dietary restrictions who worries that “remote” automatically means “I can’t eat.”

Lehi mentions Rangiroa options such as dolphin observation and glass-bottom boat style activities as examples of add-ons that are available even though Aranui already includes core excursions at ports. In Bora Bora, the journey can culminate in a motu picnic experience that many guests anticipate as a highlight—less about adrenaline and more about shared celebration at the end of the voyage. For hikers and active travelers, the Fatu Hiva crossing is one of the most memorable days: a 15 km route from Omoa to Hanavave for those who want the panoramic reward, with alternatives for those who prefer a less strenuous approach, including a four-wheel-drive option or sailing around to meet the ship on the far side.

The conversation also touches on cultural points many guests seek out, such as the Hiva Oa day connected to Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel, with options to hike and pass through the cemetery or take bus transport that may be shared with local school resources. Above all, Lehi describes the “family” feeling onboard—how crew and passengers blend together over 13 days in a way he doesn’t see on other ships. If you’re ready to plan an Aranui 5 trip with the right balance of included experiences, optional upgrades, and personal pace, Far and Away Adventures can design and book the full itinerary end to end.