Today was a special day for us aboard National Geographic Orion as we are the first ship allowed to come ashore on the island of Maré since 2020. Maré is the second largest island of the Loyalty Islands. We arrived at the dock via our Zodiacs and embarked on a journey through the island. We arrived at a location under a forest of palm trees. Here, we were officially welcomed with singing, an abundance of fresh fruit, and locally made food. We then offered walks through the village.
Later, we had the opportunity to snorkel from a beautiful beach and to swim among the reefs along the shore. Through good food, smiles, and laughter, we had a common language of warmth and respect that made this day an unforgettable one.
