October 27, 2006

Ring of Fire Photo Album

He's done it again! Our longtime Quyana Member, Brian Cleverly has put together another fantastic photo album highlighting his recent Ring of Fire cruise on the Spirit of Oceanus.

Brian spent hours accumulating his photos and those of other guests and then created this wonderfully real photo album. It's full of great shots, scenery, people, funny moments, birds, flora, fauna and crew members.

Grab a cup of coffee and then go visit Brian's album. It's a very accurate representation of a rarely visited area of the world.

Thanks, Brian for sharing your work with us and allowing us to share it with others!

Next year, we'll again offer a single departure for the Ring of Fire cruise, however, it will be a slightly different itinerary than that represented in Brian's album. If you'd like to learn more about our 2007 Ring of Fire itinerary, you'll find it here.

Posted by Leigh Strinsky on October 27, 2006
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October 19, 2006

You are Invited!

Join my wife, Leslie, my three well-traveled children, and me aboard the Spirit of Oceanus for another fabulous adventure in the South Pacific cruising to remote islands from Guam to Fiji. Visit Micronesia and Melanesia, and learn of the different cultures. Cruise the Caroline Islands and visit remote islands of Yap, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

Last spring’s trip was sold out – so I couldn’t go! Lucky for us, and those able to join us, there is space available on the December Holiday cruise departing by air to Guam on December 18 (or earlier) and returning from Fiji January 4 (or later!).

We will enjoy Christmas Day at sea cruising between Chuuk and Pohnpei – just the names are mysterious and intriguing. New Year’s Eve will also be at sea, cruising between Guadalcanal and Tikopia in the Solomon Islands.

Our first cruise to this area last spring was an absolutely incredible, life-changing experience for our guests. We will visit remote islands, and meet people from a land that time has seemingly forgotten. This is truly a world-class exploration experience – with top-notch snorkeling – and - there is still time to reserve your suite.

No visas are necessary. Give us – or your travel agent – a call!

Posted by Dick West on October 19, 2006
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October 14, 2006

A Day in Hell's Canyon

Please enjoy the exerpt from our "Hell's Canyon Day" aboard the Spirit of Discovery, currently operating on our Columbia and Snake Rivers cruise.

In the fall of 1805, the Lewis and Clark party camped at the confluence of the Clearwater and Snake Rivers during their overland journey to the Pacific Ocean. At this strategic spot, the point where the Snake River turns due south, the twin cities of Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington grew up on opposite sides of the river.

From just south of Clarkston and continuing for 100 miles, the Snake is a free-flowing whitewater wilderness river, flowing through the deepest gorge in North America. Separating the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon from the Seven Devils Range of western Idaho, Hells Canyon is rich in history, scenery, and wildlife, all guests had your cameras and binoculars in hand. Our adventure by jet boat took us many miles deep into the canyon. This was an exhilarating experience as we rocketed up shallow, whitewater rapids and cruise around the many bends in the river. Along the banks guests spotted mountain goats, wild turkeys, deer, and elk.

Humans have a long history here. Ancient rock petroglyphs are scattered along the riverbanks. On the

scree slopes rising above the relatively rare fords, watch for the diagonal traces of old Nez Perce horse trails mounting the canyon rim. On our way up river we paused at Nez Perce Crossing. It was here in 1877, Chief Joseph led his band of 250 warriors and 500 women across the boiling water towards the Lapwai Reservation. Instead, he led his people on an impressive trek across 1,400 miles of the most rugged terrain, trying to reach Canada, hoping to meet Sitting Bull and his people who were already there. They were halted just 40 miles shy of the Canadian border.

A rest stop on the riverbanks will allowed us to stretch your legs and enjoy a home-cooked meal at Kirby Creek.

Posted by Leigh Strinsky on October 14, 2006
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October 05, 2006

You Otter See This

Last week, I was reading the September issue of Sunset Magazine and came across a small mention of some live web cams hosted by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Intrigued, I Googled their site and sure enough, they have an entire series of live webcams. You can view the otters, white sharks, penguins, kelp, aviary and even the bay. What fun!

The cameras operate from 7am - 7pm pacific. There's also an educational page attached to each camera, so, you can get a little entertainment and and education at the same time.

Enjoy!

Posted by Leigh Strinsky on October 05, 2006
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