2explore.net We are Niels and Amy van Dongen and this is our journey. Our home site is http://www.2explore.net. On February 16, 2007 we will leave behind the comforts of our home in Seattle to travel through the South Pacific. On this site you can follow along with us, read about our experiences and view some of the photos we have taken en route. Our insatiable urge to explore, sparked the idea for this adventure. In October of 2005, we had a taste of the South Pacific on a 3-week trip to the Cook Islands and have ever since wanted to go back to immerse ourselves in the South Pacific way of life and record our experiences. With many ecosystems at risk from pollution, global warming and climate change, this is now especially critical. We aim to capture the true character of the idyllic South Pacific through photographs and words in a way that makes any observer of our work feel a connection to this special place and in turn, join us in making simple choices in everyday life that can have positive, lasting effects on the world around us. For a year we will be living as modern nomads – traveling only with what we can carry in our packs, living amongst the locals on the islands we visit, spending time sharing stories and experiences and taking in the captivating underwater world on the occasional dive. We hope to help others along the way and keep a vivid record of this adventure to share with you, and keep at the forefront of our memory. Follow along with us and learn about far away places of natural beauty and rich cultures. Experience with us the big world we call home.

If Papeete, Tahiti makes you think of romantic South Pacific scenes, then I have to set you straight. This place is not worth your time, not even an hour of it.
Think overcrowded French city coupled with frantic all day traffic and accompanying exhaust. How wrong I was expecting a laid-back atmoshpere in a lush, tropical setting. The spectacular, verdant green jagged mountain peaks that look so appealing from down here in the town are practically unattainable for those of us on a budget and without a set of wheels. We'll have to do some island walks elsewhere.

Luckily, not all is bad since with this town also come transportation options. From Papeete's large harbour all island groups are served.
After we returned from Moorea Monday morning, we set out to find information on the different cargo ships that serve the outer islands. I can assure you that is not a straightforward undertaking, especially when one does not speak much French. Sometimes though, the planets align and you find someone that actually speaks English and can help you get on a cargo ship to one of the least visited and least touristy of the Society Islands: Maupiti.

So, last we heard, a cargo ship that normally does not take (foreign) passengers, will take us later today! We'll be the only paying passengers and we'll have to sleep on deck and bring our own food and water, but after the stuffy, outrageously overpriced accomodation we've been staying in, that actuallt sounds like a blessing. Now we only have to hope that the weather holds out as the passage through the reef at Maupiti is only navigable at calm seas. Boats have had to turn around we've been told.

Maupiti has no real hotels or internet cafes, so our next post may be a while, but no less eventfull probably...