spice islands: orion cruises

The Island of Alor is just a few nautical miles from Timor, yet unlike its infamous neighbour the name of Alor will probably not be one you have heard unless you are an adventurous scuba diver. Alor has been identified by the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial authorities as having the most potential for tourism development in the future, but today apart from some eco-resorts catering for SCUBA divers there is no infrastructure to support such a development. Much of the area is free from the practice of dynamite fishing, found throughout Asia, resulting in the majority of reefs being in pristine condition. The local Christian villagers are friendly and their language and culture are strong. Although it is an often quoted line, many say Alor is just like Bali was before the onset of mass tourism. We will anchor close to the small but bustling town of Kalabahi in order to access both the town and the interior of the island.  

A few miles into the rugged interior the indigenous Melanesian people live a very traditional life, even today. We will visit a traditional village in the mountains to witness some of this lifestyle first hand. We may be lucky enough to sample Alor’s “traditional” drink of coffee, first introduced to the island by the Dutch. It is incredibly strong, thick and black - almost like tar. 
The museum of culture in Kalabahi contains many of the island’s most famous cultural items including bronze Moko drums, believed to have been given to the islanders by their gods. Modern science however tells us they came from Java many years ago. 

If time and conditions permit we will spend the afternoon at one of the well known snorkelling areas on the island. (Please note extreme currents, caused by tidal constrictions will dictate the running of in-water activities in this area). 

Included Expeditions
Today you will visit a traditional village demonstrating the Melanesian way of life on the island. Traditional dances and other activities will welcome us into the mountain top village. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy a visit to the Cultural Museum in town with a chance to wander through the markets which are dominated by Javanese migrants to the island and sell a huge array of goods. After lunch we will relocate, with a plan to enjoy some snorkelling of the coast of Alor if conditions permit.

Darwin is Australia’s closest city to the equator and the gateway to the Top End. Following its bombing during World War II, Darwin was a frontier town of crocodile and buffalo shooters, and pioneer cattlemen. After the city was wiped out by Cyclone Tracy in 1974, it was rebuilt as Australia’s cosmopolitan northernmost tropical capital. Beyond the city lies Litchfield National Park (about two hours drive) and to the southeast are the teeming wetlands of Australia’s largest national park, Kakadu.

Much architecture remains from the city’s early periods with museums, markets and an incredible diversity of restaurants to keep visitors entertained. The harbour foreshore area is a great place to discover the city’s maritime links. Take a relaxing cruise on an old pearl lugger, a thrilling flight in a seaplane or a gentle hovercraft trip. Spend a day out fishing for barramundi, jewfish, golden snapper and threadfin salmon, or go for adventure scuba diving around shipwrecks. At sunset, savour a taste of Asia’s night markets at Mindil Beach, where you can browse the food stalls for a picnic dinner on the beach.

The Maluku region, probably more familiar to most as "the Moluccas" (as the area was previously known) is truly a collection of forgotten islands located just north of Australia. Sitting between New Guinea and Timor it is part of Wallacea, the legendary deep water area that separates the Australian and Asian continental plates.  

The south west corner of Maluku, part of the predominately Christian area of Indonesia, is virtually inaccessible but is home to numerous stunning islands with fringing reefs and ancient cultures. Very few outsiders have ever set foot on these islands and a unique experience is guaranteed as we discover the "Forgotten Islands" of Maluku.  

Our visit will be to the tiny island of Kisar, which serves as our official entry point into the archipelago. Kisar has over 400 years of European history and despite being only a few hundred miles off the coast of Australia, its European history is virtually unknown.

Included Expeditions
After berthing and completing formalities we will be transferred to the town centre for a welcome ceremony at the former Dutch colonial residence. In small groups with local guides you will be invited to explore the island’s history including visits to remnant architecture from the Dutch period which includes a stone church and a stone fort both over 400 years old.  In addition, we will visit the Oirata village where cultural performances and displays will entertain you.

Whilst still on the same island, and similar to yesterdays visit to the Waingapu region in the east, Kodi in West Sumba has a few subtle differences to make our visit worthwhile. The West has a lot more focus on their horseback fighting known as Pasola. This once brutal event will be re-enacted especially for our visit. The Sumba style houses here are also a little different with much higher roofs reaching for the heavens allowing the local villagers to communicate with their spirit-gods.

Included Expeditions
Our morning in West Sumba will allow us to see the Pasola Horseback fighting. Pasola is the name of a unique traditional spear for fighting in tournaments that are performed by two groups of Sumbanese men, wearing traditional costumes. This activity is a ceremonial part of the Marapu religion. In the afternoon we visit a traditional village to see the stone houses, learn about their lifestyles, and the large decorated tombs that are carved from stone.

Loh Liang is the entry point to the world renowned Komodo National Park. The national park was established in 1980 to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) and its habitat. These prehistoric creatures are among the world's largest reptiles, growing to over 3 metres long and weighing over 70kg. 

After landing on the beach we will be met by local Park Rangers and after a short briefing we will head off in search of the dragons. Pink Beach, just a short distance away from Loh Liang and still part of Komodo National Park, is so named because of the red organ pipe coral (Tubifera musica) that contributes to the sand on this spectacular beach. Swimming, snorkelling, sea kayaking or just relaxing on the beach are all options available for you today - make the most of your time on this world famous beach. 

Included Expeditions
After a short Zodiac transfer you will access the national park and participate in a guided walk with local guides, our Expedition Team and Park Rangers. The walk, over uneven ground including some uphill climbs, takes us deep into the national park in search of the dragons. The dragons are in their natural habitat so sightings are not guaranteed, however the chance of sighting a dragon is very high. 

The afternoon will be spent at Pink Beach, still within the national park, for swimming, snorkelling and walks on the beach. The Expedition Team will offer snorkel tours here.

Orion will be berthed at Maumere, a port town on the northeastern coast of Flores. 

Centuries ago Portuguese explorers named the island "Cabo das Flora" (Cape of Flowers) after the abundant coral reefs in the surrounding seas. Today Flores is dotted with small villages inhabited by people of mixed ethnic origin who rely on traditional farming and fishing for survival. This mountainous island boasts no less than 14 active volcanoes and the most breathtaking scenery can be found at the three crater lakes beneath the rim of Keli Mutu volcano. Each lake is a different colour as a result of their varying dissolving minerals and oxygen levels. When set against the surrounding rugged terrain, the view is nothing short of spectacular. Set against this dramatic background of volcanoes is a land rich in ancient history. In October 2004 scientists confirmed the discovery of the 18,000 year old remains of Homo floresiensis, more widely known as “the hobbit man”.

Included Expeditions
Our time on Flores will include a visit to the mountain top Dokar Village where we will be greeted by local women lining the path to welcome us. A full traditional welcome, with offerings of Betel Nut and local Whiskey together with lively men's dances involving men being raised above the village to perform on top of Bamboo poles will follow. We will also have a chance to visit the city area and explore the sprawling Maumere markets.

Nusa Manuk is part of the Roti (often spelt Rote) regency. Roti is one of the driest parts of Indonesia and resembles nearby Timor in both climate and plant life. Agriculture is a mainstay, but is not practiced on a large scale due to the dry climate. Fishing is an important part of daily life from both a subsistence and commercial point of view, and due to the proximity of Australian territorial waters fisherman from Roti often come in to conflict with Australian law enforcement bodies.  Our day in the Roti regency will be enjoyed on one of Nusa Manuk's white sand beaches with easy access to the fringing reef for swimming and snorkelling. Local cultural groups will travel from the nearby Rotinese village of Nembralla to entertain us during the day and Orion’s executive chef will host a seafood beach BBQ.

Included Expeditions
A continuous Zodiac shuttle will be available to the island of Nusa Manuk. Swimming, snorkelling or just relaxing on the beach are some of the activities available today. Snorkel lessons will be available for the novice and guided snorkel tours will be available for the more experienced snorkellers amongst us. Our fleet of sea kayaks will also be in action today. 
Local cultural groups will perform and a beach BBQ will take place (weather permitting).

About as remote as it gets in this part of the world, the tiny island of Savu sits beneath Sumba and above Timor in almost isolation. The Savunese people consider themselves of Indian-Aryan descent and have strong historical to other traditionally Hindu parts of the island archipelago such as Java and Bali. Barely influenced by the outside world, today the island is predominately Christian. The great naturalist explorer Alfred R Wallace once commented on meeting his first Savu Islanders in 1868 "some chiefs of the island of Savu represented characters very distinct from either the Malay or Papuan races. They most resemble Hindus, having well formed features and straight thin noses with clear brown complexions".  The island is extremely dry, receiving no more than around 100mm a year, which will generally fall in one massive downpour during the monsoon season. The land is mostly covered by grasslands and tall Lontar palms, used for making palm sugar and a potent local drink.

Included Expeditions
The Savunese people will display there culture for us in both performance and in the form of artworks including the woven ikat fabrics. A welcome performance will be held at the local Rajah's hopuse and we will be able to vost a traditional healing village where sick vilagers from all around the island are "healed" through traditional methods. Swimming and snorkelling will also be available during the day on the nearby island of Raijua.

The island of Sumba is part of East Nusa Tenggara, the island chain that includes Timor and Flores. Sumba gives us the opportunity to experience an ancient culture that long resisted the outside influence of Christianity, Hinduism or Islam. Stone tombs of ancestors are built right in front of distinctive thatched houses where the traditional woven ikat fabrics, that the region is famous for, are made exactly as they always have been. Today most Sumbanese are Christian, however as with many traditional societies their pre-Christian animist beliefs, known as Marapu, still have a major influence on their daily lives. 

The township of Waingapu has a population of over 10,000 people and is the main business centre for the island of Sumba. In the early days of European exploration it was the centre for sandalwood exports, and at that time the island itself was known as Sandalwood Island. Sumba has a unique culture and unique social structures. Sumbanese are traditionally divided into three levels of social status: Raja or King (Maramba), Customary Official (Kabihu), or Slave/Worker (Ata). The Sumbanese people make their living from cattle breeding, rice-field farming and trading. Sumbanese who own cattle will hold a higher social status than those who don't, and the more cattle the higher the ladder one can climb. We will be landing at Kambera Beach outside of the town of Waingapu. Here you can swim or simply wander the beach looking for shells and other signs of marine life. Whilst the beach is attractive the most interesting part of this destination is the people and their culture. 

We will visit two villages. One will display their traditional weavings and welcome us with their elaborate dancing and performances on horse back. The second village we will visit is a little more remote and showcases the traditional high pointed thatched roofs the island is famous for, and has numerous examples of the stone megalith tombs, another unique feature of Sumba.

Included Expeditions
Today we will have access to Kambera beach for swimming and shopping at the impromptu beach markets, however the main events are the village tours. We will have access to two separate villages, visited one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Mondulong village will greet us with and a significant cultural performance and will display a wide variety of artefacts including exquisite ikat weaving - arguably the most elaborate in these islands - which will be available for purchase. The second village, Prainatang, is much more traditional and gives us a chance to see the megalithic stone tombs of the villagers ancestors up close and their unusual traditional houses.