HERITAGE ADVENTURER MAKES CRUISE HISTORY ON MAIDEN VOYAGE
Pioneering expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions new flag ship Heritage Adventurer has made cruise history on her maiden voyage as the first expedition vessel to visit the remote village of Pasir Putih on Indonesia’s Buru Island.
Around 1,000 locals from 6 villages packed the white sand beach with school children, local dignitaries and chiefs, including the esteemed Chief of Regency Mrs. Safitri who traveled 6 hours to personally preside over the event, greeted Heritage Adventurer’s intrepid guests on its first voyage Indonesian Explorer as they arrived by Zodiac.
Heritage Expeditions owners Aaron and Nathan Russ described the welcome and new friendship between the New Zealand-based company, its guests and the people of South Buru Island as an “incredible privilege” and fitting first outing for the pioneering expedition vessel.
“Being welcomed so full-heartedly by these incredibly friendly people into their way of life on this tropical island paradise, who are just as interested in us as we are in them, and sharing these unforgettable moments with our guests is why we do what we do,” says Nathan.
Aaron agreed, saying making connections with and supporting remote communities, understanding and experiencing new cultures, and exploring the wilderness and enjoying wildlife encounters well off the beaten path was the “true essence of authentic expedition cruising”.
“We are incredibly proud to continue the family tradition of sharing incredible adventures with our guests. Being able to offer these unforgettable moments is all part of the Heritage Experience.”
Heritage Adventurer, with her peerless expedition capabilities and timeless blend of sophistication and comfort was the perfect successor to the Heritage fleet and our signature experiential expedition travel, he added.
“It’s fantastic to see our guests, both existing and new, fall in love with Heritage Adventurer and rightfully restore the pride and mana in our ‚Grande Dame of Expedition Cruising‘, says Aaron.
“We are incredibly proud to be the custodians of this iconic vessel and continue her history and story as a true pioneer.”
Once ashore, guests were welcomed with a series of traditional dances and a formal greeting from Mrs. Safitri before celebrating their arrival sharing a specially prepared feast, dancing and learning everything about island life and culture with new found friends.
Guests were then free to enjoy exploring the village and the wildlife-filled jungles and coral reefs of one of the most biologically-rich regions on the planet.
Indonesian Explorer visits remote and little-known tropical islands of Indonesia and includes swimming with the Whale Sharks in Kwatisore Bay, visiting Komodo National Park, home to the famed Komodo Dragon, discovering Jacques Cousteau’s “underwater nirvana” Wakatobi National Park and explore the turquoise waters and rainbow corals of Raja Ampat and more as guests discover powdery white sand beaches, untamed jungles and exquisite underwater worlds.
| About Heritage Expeditions |
| Every year Heritage Expeditions voyages with small groups of between 18 and 140 intrepid travellers to some of the most unique and remote islands, coasts and shorelines on earth aboard their expedition ships Heritage Adventurer and Heritage Explorer on voyages ranging from 5 – 29 days. Founded in 1985 by the Russ family in Christchurch, New Zealand, Heritage Expeditions is still proudly family-owned and operated. Contributing to conservation through experiential learning and providing funds for research and management, they are pioneers in environmentally-responsible expedition travel offering intimate group excursions to Antarctica and the Subantarctic Islands, through the Pacific, Asia, Australia and around New Zealand on their purpose-built expedition ships. Each expedition is meticulously planned and led by a team of botanists, ornithologists, naturalists and experts in their field, ensuring passengers maximise every opportunity to learn, discover and experience as much as possible, while minimising the impact of their visit and returning as ambassadors for these very special places. |
