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.

You know you are off the beaten track when you find yourself deep within the inner workings of a city; surrounded by industrial buildings and shipyards, where it is obvious no other tourists regularly venture by the way people stop everything and look at you like you are from another planet.

The locals that we told our intention of taking the cargo ship to laughed and said we were crazy. Even the woman who arranged the boat transport for us said she would never use the boat. How comforting! I thought, "Oh Shit" and I think Niels was all the more pleased seeing that we really were far off the tourist track.

At 2:30PM we boarded the Tahiti Nui VI. Our 19 hour journey aboard this cargo ship was about to begin. We were shown a spot on deck of the upper level in between several mattresses and settled in with our packs in our 5'x6' space. The first few hours passed and with the help of motion sickness medicine, we were quite comfortable. We settled in for the night on the rust laden, super creaky, hunk of junk. It wasn't until a short while later that we realized how rough this method of travel could be.

As the rain poured and came at us from all sides, we rushed to get our packs and ourselves better undercover. Feeling green from all of the exhaust that was venting right where we were as well as completely drenched, I said, "We are NEVER doing this again on deck".

Luckily, the rain didn't last all night and by barricading ourselves with mattresses, we were able to sleep off and on. A few times I awoke and however uncomfortable, I had never seen the stars so vividly. It looked as if the sky was literally 3D. The sea was black as was the sky and there wasn't a light to be seen. If I stuck out my hand, it seemed as if I could grab a handful of stars.

At about 8AM we saw the island of Maupiti and made it there shortly thereafter. I was quite happy to be on solid ground!