Jumping Ship Will Be Well Rewarded

Sun Herald

Sunday October 29, 2006

Caroline Gladstone

Sea legs sometimes need an on-land adventure, Caroline Gladstone writes.

IF YOU'RE the type of sailor that suffers from cabin fever after a few days or weeks at sea, here are 10 very good reasons to go ashore and join the landlubbers when your cruise ship drops anchor.

1 Watch the original bungy jumpers perform their death-defying leaps on the remote Pentecost Island of Vanuatu. Instead of long rubber bands, the islanders use vines, which are at their springiest from March to May. P&O's Australia-based ships Pacific Sun (ex-Sydney) and Pacific Star (ex-Brisbane) will call at the island next year, taking passengers into the jungle to watch this spectacle on a free full-day tour. See www.pocruises.com.au.

2 An amazing way to check out one of the most beautiful islands on earth is to circle Bora Bora by power-ski. A small group will skim through the blue lagoon surrounding the volcanic island. The 2.5-hour trip includes stops on small motu (coral islands) and a swim in the famed lagoon said to be seven different shades of blue. Offered on Seven Seas' Mariner cruise from Auckland to Los Angeles in December. The ship will visit Sydney on November 15 and 16. Cost: about $340 for two. See www.rssc.com.

3 Step back in time with a trip to Watam village and the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea, one of the world's last frontiers. Orion Expedition Cruises' passengers can visit this traditional community of 300 people. Villagers perform a welcome dragon dance, take visitors on a tour of their home (no roads, no electricity, no running water) and demonstrate sago making. The Sepik coastline is teeming with bird life, and you might spot a salt or freshwater crocodile. Free day excursion on the 11-night PNG Highland Cultures cruise from Rabaul and Cairns, departing November 21, 2006, and March 25, 2007. See www.orioncruises.com.au.

4 New York doesn't get any more exciting than swooping over its skyscrapers in the Big Apple helicopter tour. Soar over the Empire State Building, the art deco Chrysler Building and Central Park. You might even spy your ship docked at the Hudson River terminal as you're whisked over to the Statue of Liberty. A thrilling 12-minute ride. On Holland America Line's Noordam and Veendam, and Carnival Cruises' Legend. Cost: $182. See www.hollandamerica.com.

5 Really love choppers? Then take a glacier helicopter flight and dog sled adventure in Alaska. It starts with a 30-minute flight over icefields, landing on a glacier where you meet your dog mushing team. These veterans of the famous Iditarod dog race take you on an exhilarating ride through breathtaking terrain. Princess Cruises and Holland America Line ships run the trips from June to August. Time: three hours. Cost: $630-$650. See www.princess.com or www.hollandamerica.com.

6 Immerse yourself in Hawaii on the Atlantis submarine excursion. You board your high-tech passenger submarine in Waikiki Bay. The Atlantis descends 30 metres for a close-up look at reefs, shipwrecks and marine life. Claustrophobics need not fear, as the sub is spacious, air-conditioned and has large viewing ports. Offered by P&O's Aurora departing Sydney on February 25. Trip time: three hours. Cost: about $135. See www.pocruises.com.au.

7 Halong Bay kayaking adventure is a close encounter with one of the most stunning regions in Vietnam. Paddle in two-man kayaks past dramatic rock formations and through caves and grottoes, visiting a fishing village. There's lunch and an afternoon sail on a traditional russet-coloured junk. A more leisurely option is an all-day junk boat trip in the bay. Offered by P&O's Oriana departing Sydney on February 27. Time: 8 1/2 hours. Cost: kayaking adventure, $62; junk cruise, about $123. See www.pocruises.com.au.

8 Cross-country skiing in Antarctica will give you a story to dine out on for years to come. A group of just 10 people land by Zodiac craft, strap on skis and slide across the white continent with an expert guide. The scenery will be spectacular, the wildlife curious and the trail pristine. Adventure Associates' 10- and 11-day Antarctic Adventure cruises aboard the Professor Multanovskiy and Akademik Shokalskiy depart Ushuaia in Argentina from December 8 until February 23. Cost: about $335. See www.adventureassociates.com.au.

9 Martinborough wine and food by rail is a New Zealand daytrip big on indulgence. Take the train from Wellington to the Wairarapa wine region - acclaimed for its pinot noirs. Wander through the lovely town of Martinborough, meet a winemaker and sample the local drop. Then tuck into tasting plates matched with local wines before a hearty lunch at a winery. A stroll along Greytown's historic main street is a foodies' dream, thanks to its gourmet emporiums. Offered by Cunard's QM2 before she arrives in Sydney on February 20. Time: nine hours. Cost: about $265. See www.cunardline.com.au.

10 Animal lovers will be in heaven on the Pinnewala elephant orphanage tour. Situated 80 kilometres from Colombo in Sri Lanka, the orphanage has 60 elephants - from week-old babies to adults - all roaming in a rainforest. Watch them being fed and take in the fun two-hour bath-time ritual from your lunch spot. Offered on Silversea Cruises' Silver Shadow departing Sydney on March 12 bound for New York, via Asia. Time: seven hours. Cost: about $158. See www.silverseacruises.com.

© 2006 Sun Herald

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