CRUISING THE LESSER SUNDA ISLANDS, INDONESIA · CRUISING THE LESSER SUNDA ISLANDS, INDONESIA Monday 14 - Wednesday 30 May 2018 ... DAILY ITINERARY Monday 14 May 2018. Auckland - Denpasar,

JOURNEYS

CRUISING THE LESSER SUNDA ISLANDS, INDONESIA

Monday 14 - Wednesday 30 May 2018

16 nights

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the extraordinary ancestral traditions of

Lesser Sunda Islands where textiles are the

predominant form of artistic expression, still playing

a central role in every significant stage of life

• Enjoy the luxury of cruising effortlessly from island

to island, crossing a rugged, isolated region where

travel would be difficult to organize on your own

• Enjoy travelling with expert guides who are

researchers and collectors of Asian textiles

TOUR OVERVIEW The diverse Lesser Sunda Islands, stretching eastwards from

Bali, offer the most amazing landscapes and a glorious

cornucopia of weaving for textile lovers. Here women not

only continue to make their traditional cloth on back-

tension looms but continue to wear it as well. There is a

kaleidoscopic variety of patterns and designs – every

region of every island has its own unique textile culture, its

own style of dress, and its own motifs. You will explore the

extraordinary ancestral traditions of these islands where

textiles are the predominant form of artistic expression, still

playing a central role in every significant stage of life,

especially marriage and death. Some islanders still say,

“Without cloth we cannot marry.”

However, change is underway in even the remotest

villages, and weavers are no longer passing on their skills

to the next generation. With this cruise, you will be given a

unique opportunity to witness a dying art form before it is

gone forever.

Enjoy the luxury of cruising effortlessly from island to island,

crossing a rugged, isolated region where travel by land

can be difficult. Your graceful pinisi schooner, the Ombak

Putih, offers access to villages and beaches that would

otherwise be almost impossible to reach. Along the way

there will be time to enjoy the amazing volcanic scenery,

meet the villagers, visit traditional markets, buy local

textiles, swim and snorkel over psychedelic coral reefs,

relax and have fun. This is a fantastic, adventurous way to

travel, providing memories that you will treasure for the

rest of your life.

British expert textile guides, David and Sue Richardson, will

introduce you to each island, its people and its culture,

while sharing their knowledge on the daily excursions as

well as through a series of evening talks.

TOUR INCLUSIONS

The services of a Calder & Lawson tour manager if

minimum number of 10 participants is reached

Expert on-board textile guides

Economy class airfares

4 nights accommodation in Bali

12 nights accommodation on board

Ombak Putih

All meals on board the yacht

Snorkelling equipment and sea canoes available

for use

Admissions as detailed in the itinerary

All tips and gratuities

Pre-tour material

TOUR EXCLUSIONS

Airline taxes

Travel insurance

Personal expenses

Meals not specified in the itinerary

Hotel porterage in Bali

TOUR PRICE Ex Auckland, twin share per person

Cabin NZD $13,974

Single cabins are limited on this tour. Please contact Calder & Lawson Tours if you are interested in a single

occupancy cabin. Share twin cabins are two bunks or a double bed with a bunk over.

GROUP SIZE Minimum 10, maximum 12

VARIATIONS IN TRAVEL We can make arrangements for any travel you would like to do before or after this tour, or

book business class seats for the flights. Please contact us.

IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? As this is a textile focused tour, an interest in textiles is

essential to fully enjoy the experience. There will be an

expectation that you purchase some textiles during

the visits to the island villages.

Feedback from a recent participant on this cruise

who was only moderately interested in textiles, sug-

gests that the experience is extraordinary. He enjoyed

the companionship of the small group on board the

yacht, the flawless execution by the ship’s crew, the

visit to the Komodo dragons and the opportunities to

take some spectacular photos.

You will need to be in good health and fit enough to

enjoy comfortably-paced moderate walks on

uneven surfaces. You must have the ability to handle

wet landings. On the cruise the activity level can be

as intense or relaxed as you are comfortable with.

There are opportunities to snorkel and kayak. It is your

choice whether to participate in the activities or just

relax on the beach, or on board the yacht.

YOUR SHIP - Ombak Putih

The Ombak Putih is a 42 metre long, traditional

Indonesian schooner built from Iron wood. Teak

wooden furniture is used throughout. She

accommodates 24 guests in 12 below deck cabins.

With excellent crew to guest ratio, you will be well

looked after on board. Facilities include:

Spacious air conditioned dining room

Two main decks, both open and covered

Lounge with TV, DVD and music centre

All cabins have portholes, individually

controlled air conditioning, bathroom with

toilet and shower, hand basin in your cabin

and safety deposit box

DAILY ITINERARY Monday 14 May 2018. Auckland - Denpasar, Bali.

A late morning flight from Auckland of approximately 9 hours will see you arrive in Denpasar in the later afternoon.

(Meals in flight)

Tuesday 15. Denpasar.

A day to explore Bali. Attend a cooking school which provides a fascinating insight into Balinese life and culture

through learning about its food. (B)

Wednesday 16. Denpasar - Maumere.

Take a morning flight from Denpasar to Maumere via Waingapu. Transfer to Maumere harbour to board your ship,

the Ombak Putih in time for lunch. After a safety briefing you will sail out into the Bay of Maumere with the extinct

volcano of Ile Kimang in the background. Dock at a nearby fishing village, built over the water on stilts, where you

will experience the life of the local Bugis and Bajao sea gypsies. Relax over cocktails listening to an introductory

talk about the culture and textiles of the local Sikka region before your welcome dinner. (B/L/D)

Thursday 17. Maumere and Ledalero.

Disembark close to Maumere for a short drive to the busy Wairkoja Friday market, where they sell local ikat and a

variety of weaving supplies. Drive up into the ‘Iwang Geté highlands to visit a small village where you will be

welcomed with music and dancing. Gain your first insights into the local techniques of spinning, binding, dyeing

and weaving. You will be able to purchase some of the finished textiles. If you are adventurous, you will be able to

try betel nut, tobacco and locally distilled liquor. Sail to Ledalero to visit Blikon Blewut Museum, the oldest museum

on Flores, to see the small collection of textiles from the Lesser Sunda Islands collected by Catholic missionaries in

the 1950’s and 60’s. Stop at a second Sikka village where you will see a different style of ikat, typical of the central

Krowé region. (B/L/D)

Friday 18. Larantuka and Adonara Island.

Pass Larantuka, situated at the foot of the imposing Ile Mandiri volcano and moor in bay for breakfast. Go ashore

and be welcomed by Lamaholot villagers who will show in detail how they produce their earthy-brown ikats

decorated with small white seashells. Moor close to a beach on the northern coast of Adonara Island for

swimming and beachcombing. (B/L/D)

Saturday 19. Lembata and Jontona.

Arrive in Lembata and anchor on the north coast below the towering active volcano of Ile Api. Go ashore to see

some of the ikat textiles produced in this region, meeting weavers from at least three neighbouring villages. Set

sail for Jontona, being welcomed by dancers before transferring by truck up to the ancestral village, dramatically

located on the side of the volcano. Visit clan houses containing heirloom treasures such as elephant tusks and

moko drums. Down in the modern village, a selling exhibition of textiles will give you the chance to add a fabulous

bridewealth cloth to your collection if you wish. (B/L/D)

Sunday 20. Alor Island.

Sail into Kalabahi Bay on Alor Island; head off through the island’s rugged landscape to the village of Takpala,

occupied by Papuan people belonging to the local Abui tribe. Dressed in colourful local textiles, the villagers will

entertain you with their lego-lego circle dance, used to celebrate weddings and other life cycle events. Explore

the village market for local textiles, baskets and jewellery, and take a look inside their two-storey thatched houses

which have an interesting architecture. Alor is very ethnically diverse so a stop at Kalabahi Museum offers a

chance to see a display of textiles and moko drums from across the island. Drive up into the hills behind Kalabahi

to the hamlet of Monbang, occupied by the Kabola people who have revived the previously widespread craft of

making barkcloth. Dressed entirely in barkcloth, the villagers will show you how they turn tree bark into cloth.

(B/L/D)

Monday 21. Labala Bay.

Sail into Labala Bay, on the southern side of Lembata. Go ashore at the unique whaling village of Lamalera,

where rows of thatched boathouses line the beach. The local weavers will be in the village square to show you

how they produce their stunning kewatek ikat sarongs, dyed with multiple immersions in indigo and morinda to

produce an outstanding depth of colour. Walk up the hill to the upper half of the village to see the church and

the view over the lower village. On board the Ombak Putih, the whale hunters will demonstrate the hazardous

techniques they use to harpoon the sperm whales from their small outriggers. Sail due south across the Savu Sea

towards Kupang in West Timor. (B/L/D)

Tuesday 22. Kupang.

Disembark at the old harbour where Captain Bligh landed in 1789, after navigating 3600 nautical miles in a small

open boat following the Mutiny on the Bounty. Drive to the Museum of Nusa Tenggara Timur, which has a fine

collection of textiles and other artefacts from across the Lesser Sunda Islands. Head south into the territory of the

Amarasi tribe, to be escorted to a reception by the King and Queen of the Amarasi in their Royal Pavilion. An

accomplished artist, the King is justifiably proud of the culture and textiles of his people. If time allows, you will visit

a small weaving cooperative. Visit a village occupied by members of the Helong tribe who will demonstrate

indigo and morinda dyeing. Cruise towards the tiny remote island of Savu. (B/L/D)

Wednesday 23. Savu.

Go ashore at Napae Bay where Captain Cook moored HMS Endeavour on his way home after his expedition to

Australia. A scenic drive in trucks takes you to the next group of weavers who live in a small hilltop village with

spectacular views down to the coast. These master dyers and weavers will demonstrate how they spin, bind and

dye their cotton before weaving their distinctive ikat tube-skirts, referred to locally as ei. Designs differ depending

on the tribal affiliation of the weaver. Explore the village, including the ritual clan house where the heirloom

baskets for textiles are kept. The village men will demonstrate how they climb the tall lontar palms to tap their

delicious juice. The afternoon destination is the ritual village of Namata, where priests of the ancestral Jingi tiu

religion use megalithic stone platforms to conduct rituals and sacrifices. You will see a performance of traditional

dancing. You will sail overnight, the second crossing of the Savu Sea to reach the southern coast of Flores. (B/L/D)

Thursday 24. Gunung Inierie.

Land in a bay at the foot of Gunung Inierie for a spectacular drive up a steep gorge to visit two isolated villages

occupied by the Ngada tribe, which in this region live in a matrilineal society. The first stop is the dramatically

situated village of Gurusina, with thatched houses decorated with buffalo horns surrounding an open square

containing male and female shrines and megalithic altars. Continue on to Bena where you will see women

weaving on their front porches as well as displays of textiles hung out for sale. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the bay

before cross back over the Savu Sea for the first of two days in East Sumba, one of the most important weaving

regions in the Lesser Sunda Islands. (B/L/D)

Friday 25. Raijua Island.

Explore the small, rarely visited island of Raijua. Land on a sandy beach and visit a local weaving village to look

at the differences between the textiles of Raijua and neighbouring Savu. After a performance of traditional

dancing, walk to a traditional fenced village, formally the seat of the Rajas of Raijua. Return to the boat for lunch

and then enjoy a relaxing afternoon swimming or snorkelling and, weather permitting, an evening beach

barbeque. Overnight you’ll travel the short crossing over the Savu Sea for the first of your two days in East Sumba,

one of the most important weaving regions in the Lesser Sunda Islands.

Saturday 26. East Sumba.

Arrive on the eastern coast of Sumba, landing on the sandy beach at Melolo, where local buses take you to the

village of Umabara, with tall thatched houses and megalithic carved tombs, and the nearby Royal hamlet of

Pau. This area is famous for its exquisite supplementary warp weaving, known locally as pahikung. Some of the

finest practitioners are two local princesses. Visit the Royal village of Parai Yawangu, renowned for the quality of

its warp ikat. With traditional houses and a magnificent line of tombs, it remains the seat of the Raja of Rindi. Sail

north to Waingapu, stopping on the way to moor close to a beach for an afternoon swim or snorkel. (B/L/D)

Sunday 27. Waingapu.

Leave the harbour to visit a small workshop which produces some of the highest quality ikat hinggi to be found

on the island. See how the designs are created and transferred onto the warps and begin to comprehend the

laborious process of binding that is necessary to produce such complex and intricately patterned cloths. Explore

the neighbouring royal village of Prailiu on foot. Buses will drive you out of town through paddy fields to a rarely

visited weaving village where you will be greeted by ikat-clad warriors on horseback. Sit in the shade on the

veranda of a traditional house, being entertained by traditional dances. Stop at the cathedral to see a statue of

Christ dressed in Sumbanese ikat. Cruise towards Rinca. Dress lavishly in your finest ikat cloths for your farewell

dinner with the captain and crew, who will entertain you with traditional Indonesian songs and dances. (B/L/D)

Monday 28. Labuan Bajo.

Moor close to the starkly beautiful island of Rinca for an early breakfast followed by a short visit to Komodo

National Park. Led by a Park Ranger, you will see amazing ten-foot long Komodo dragons. Sail to your final port of

call, Labuan Bajo, where you will disembark after lunch and transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight to

Denpasar. (B/L)

Tuesday 29. Bali.

A free day in Bali to relax and follow your own interests (B)

Wednesday 30. Bali - Auckland.

Free time to explore before flying to Auckland in the late afternoon. Your flight will arrive early in the morning on

Thursday 31 May. (B/Meals in flight)

HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS TOUR

A deposit of $1,000 is required to secure your place on the tour. When minimum numbers are reached, the tour

will become a ‘confirmed departure’. At that point we will advise when the full tour payment will be due.

Click here to complete the online registration form, pay the $1000 deposit and your spot in this tour is

secured.

Or you can complete a paper registration form. You can down load one from the website

www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz or give us a call and we will email or post one to you.

TERMS & CONDITIONS Can be found on the website www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, on the back of the paper registration form or on

the summary page when you complete an online registration.

VARIATIONS Please note that this is an expedition cruise taking you to remote coastlines and waters. As such, the itinerary is

subject to change depending on weather conditions. Your experienced captain and crew may make last

minute itinerary changes to optimise conditions.

This itinerary is Version 1 dated 23/08/2017 and is subject to change.

Exchange rate fluctuations may result in a change to the tour price.