Aranui Hosts Oyster World Rally Seminar on Diving in the Marquesas

WATLINGTON, U.K. - April 8, 2013 - PRLog -- The Oyster World Rally fleet participants have been offered a unique opportunity to enjoy a seminar on board Aranui - a vessel famous in the South Pacific which operates as a working freighter as well as a cruise ship visiting the outer islands. The arrival of the Aranui is always a great occasion and cause for celebration for the locals as it is their link with the outside world and the source of supplies that they order from other islands, as well as an opportunity for them to sell their wares to a larger market. For the few passengers on board it is an iconic journey and a rare opportunity to see the South Pacific, and is on the 'bucket list' for many adventurous travellers along with a journey on the Orient Express, or a hot-air balloon trip across the Grand Canyon.

The seminar, which will be presented by Miss Duron from the National Agency of Protected Marine Areas on the subject of 'Diving Deep Into Marquesan Waters' exclusively to participants of the Oyster World Rally, will be held Tuesday 9th April whilst the Aranui is berthed at the quay in Taiohae Bay, Nuku Hiva.

The Marquesas Islands are the farthest group of islands from any continent in the world. Both their culture and their geographical environment are recognised worldwide; and yet, the seas around these islands are less known than the rest of French Polynesia. However, incredible riches have recently been discovered thanks to new oceanographic missions.

The conference is an invitation to dive into the secret world of the Marquesan waters. From submarine caves to marine mammals, this is an opportunity to discover this natural treasure as well as the culture it carries.

The Aranui is the only ship to sail the 2,200 mile round trip from Papeete to all six inhabited islands, making it a lifeline to the outside world for their people.

The 14-night voyage to the most remote archipelago in the world follows in the wake of Prince William and Kate, as well as famous artist, Paul Gaugin, author of Moby Dick, Herman Melville, and Robert Louis Stevenson, all of whom were inspired by the beauty of French Polynesia.

Highlights range from the mountain spires of Ua Pou, described by Stevenson in 1880 as “volcanic needles like the pinnacles of some ornate church", to Me'ae Te Iipona in Puamau, one of the most significant ancient temples in the region, with the highest concentration of traditional tiki statues.

The Aranui, a cargo carrier-cum-passenger ship, boasts 86 fully air-conditioned cabins as well as the capacity to carry more than 2000 tons of freight.  Passengers enjoy comfortable lounges, a swimming pool and gym and a full programme of lectures on Marquesan history, culture and art.

Prices for a voyage onboard the Aranui start from Euros 3756 (£3125) per person sharing a standard twin bedded outside cabin with private facilities including all meals with wine, all land-based sightseeing excursions and taxes.  However, during 2013, three departures on board the freighter-cum-passenger ship are being offered at a 10% discount: 6 April, 8 June and, for seniors aged over 60 only, 31 August, bringing the starting price down to Euros 3344 (£2781) per person sharing a twin cabin.  

For further information about adventure cruises, visit www.aranui.com.

About Oyster World Rally:
Conceived as an event to celebrate Oyster’s 40th Anniversary, the 2013 Oyster World Rally promises a 16-month odyssey of endless adventure, providing Oyster owners and their guests with a truly unforgettable experience.

A fleet of 28 magnificent examples of the Oyster range will take part in the first ever Oyster World Rally. With the fleet hailing from Canada, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States, the rally is a truly international event.

The Oyster World Rally will visit 31 magical destinations during the circumnavigation. After passing through the Panama Canal and into the Pacific the first ports of call are the Galapagos Islands, Marquesas, Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea.

From the Pacific the fleet will head to the Great Barrier Reef, round the top of Australia, partying in Bali and heading west for Cape Town for Christmas and on to Brazil for the carnival, before joining up for a final grand party with the Oyster Caribbean Regatta in April 2014.

The Oyster World Rally started in Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua on Sunday 6 January 2013.