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.

DAY 94 Disillusioned

SAMOA | Wednesday, 30 May 2007 | Views [503]

Each time we step foot into a country for the first time, we are filled with anticipation and, for the most part, we really aren't sure what to expect. We set out in a sponge-like manner ready to absorb every detail and take everything in. From the start, ... Read more >

Tags: Culture

DAY 82 ...Is Sometimes Too High

FIJI | Saturday, 12 May 2007 | Views [500]

Following a stay on Nacula, we made a stop at Wayasewa Island. The natural beauty and good snorkeling continued here but sadly, so did the 'fake Fiji' experience and the food and accommodation standards actually went further downhill. It ... Read more >

Tags: On the Road

DAY 78 The Price of Paradise...

FIJI | Saturday, 12 May 2007 | Views [525]

Tourists flock to the Yasawa Islands in droves in search of idyllic beaches beneath rugged hills and a large dose of sunshine, shelling out lots of money as the prices take a dramatic jump from those on the mainland. In search of some respite ... Read more >

Tags: On the Road

DAY 72 Kava and Bilibili's

FIJI | Wednesday, 2 May 2007 | Views [808]

While on Ovalau Island, we were able to spend a few days in a traditional Fijian village, staying with at family-run, local 'guesthouse' just outside of Arovudi village. Here, we sampled the real Fijian life. The village and our accommodation was rural, ... Read more >

Tags: On the Road

DAY 68 South Seas Gem

FIJI | Wednesday, 2 May 2007 | Views [527]

Levuka, a lovely town on Ovalau Island, has become our favorite place in Fiji thus far. The spirit of the town is authentic, lively and filled with genuinely friendly people enjoying a simple life in a far less touristy part of Fiji. The journey there ... Read more >

Tags: On the Road

DAY 64 Exile Island

FIJI | Tuesday, 1 May 2007 | Views [582]

Nananu-i-Ra is a small island of 3.5 square kilometers of Vitu Levu (Fiji's mainland) that feels like another place far from Fiji as there are a number of holiday homes and guesthouses, none of which are occupied by Fijians. During our 4 night stay there ... Read more >

Tags: Misadventures

DAY 60 Bula from Fiji!

FIJI | Wednesday, 18 Apr 2007 | Views [565]

For the past few days, we have been trudding around Lautoka, Fiji's second largest city. This city bustles during the day, especially around the market and bus station, where buses belch out thick, black fumes. From here it is possible to catch a bus ... Read more >

Tags: Sightseeing

DAY 57 A Rough Start

FIJI | Wednesday, 18 Apr 2007 | Views [544]

Last Saturday we arrived in Fiji. Unfortunately our flight into Nadi was three hours late. Because it was almost midnight, we had to take a taxi to our accommodation, which we fortunately booked from Rarotonga. It was pitch dark which made it difficult ... Read more >

Tags: On the Road

DAY 49 Cook Islands Kindness

COOK ISLANDS | Saturday, 7 Apr 2007 | Views [458]

"How far are you going?" "Do you need a ride?" "You two okay?" "Help yourself to the fruit!" Most people in the Cook Islands are so very kind. We hear the above phrases all the time. Perhaps it is the nice weather ... Read more >

Tags: Culture

DAY 48 Hanging with the Mossies

COOK ISLANDS | Saturday, 7 Apr 2007 | Views [485]

We have just returned from the island of Mangaia, where the mosquitos outnumber people at about a million to one, or so it seems. The island receives a few flights a week and a cargo ship about once a month from Rarotonga, but still feels very isolated.... Read more >

Tags: On the Road

DAY 36 Update from Rarotonga

COOK ISLANDS | Saturday, 7 Apr 2007 | Views [470]

Another week has gone by since we have been back on Rarotonga. Nothing too eventfull to report. We are just slowing slipping into the non-touristy daily life here. We have been frequenting the Cook Islands library since Amy joined a few weeks back. The ... Read more >

Tags: Travel Tips

DAY 28 - A Lazy Day on the Lagoon

COOK ISLANDS | Wednesday, 21 Mar 2007 | Views [505]

The highlight of any visit to Aitutaki is most likely a cruise on one of the most beautiful lagoons in the South Pacific. Although spendy, this is a worthy splurge! We hopped aboard a glass bottom boat and made our way to the open sea to try to spot ... Read more >

Tags: Travel Tips

DAY 27 - Aitutaki Interlude

COOK ISLANDS | Wednesday, 21 Mar 2007 | Views [460]

Our days on Aitutaki passed as we geared back to an even slower pace, walked and bicycled our way around and took time to just sit and take in the amazing scenery. It was pleasing to see that not much has changed even since Survivor was filmed on the ... Read more >

Tags: Relaxation

DAY 19 Overgrown

COOK ISLANDS | Saturday, 10 Mar 2007 | Views [482]

Aargh, it's still raining in Rarotonga. The high humidity makes it feel quite stuffy for most of the day. At midday the temperature hovers around 29 degrees Celcius, but luckily it cools down to around 25 degrees at night - a fairly comfortable ... Read more >

Tags: Adventures

DAY 17 Feels like home

COOK ISLANDS | Saturday, 10 Mar 2007 | Views [535]

In a strange way, being back in the Cook Islands feels a bit 'home like'. We arrived on Rarotonga on Saturday, 4 weeks earlier than we planned because French Polynesia was so grossly overpriced and in our opinion, much overrated. So before we ... Read more >

Tags: Travel Tips

DAY 11 Living the Good Life

FRENCH POLYNESIA | Saturday, 3 Mar 2007 | Views [509]

We have found a slice of paradise here on Motu Tiapaa (One of the islets in the lagoon). The wind blows most of the time making the temperature much more bearable. At the place we are staying, Maupiti Village, there is a wide stretch of white sand beach, ... Read more >

Tags: Relaxation

DAY 7 An Unwelcome Guest

FRENCH POLYNESIA | Saturday, 3 Mar 2007 | Views [499]

We had a rough first week here in French Polynesia, but the peak was definitely waking up to find a stranger entering our room at 2am! We were sleeping in our room at a pension on Maupiti when I awoke to a shuffling noise and saw a man entering our ... Read more >

Tags: Misadventures

DAY 6 The Route Less Traveled

FRENCH POLYNESIA | Saturday, 3 Mar 2007 | Views [445]

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 ... Read more >

Tags: Adventures

DAY 5 A far cry from paradise

FRENCH POLYNESIA | Saturday, 3 Mar 2007 | Views [546]

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.... Read more >

Tags: Travel Tips

DAY 1 On location in Moorea, French Polynesia

FRENCH POLYNESIA | Sunday, 18 Feb 2007 | Views [484]

We're starting the adjustment process...it is sweltering here, but beautiful. Even with the best preparations, we managed to get eaten alive by mosquitos and sunburned today in just a matter of minutes. After arriving in Papeete, Tahiti we caught the ... Read more >

Tags: On the Road

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