THE cruise ship, National Geographic Orion, is leaving Solomon Islands for Vanuatu today after spending six days visiting remote places and enjoying the rich cultures of the visited islands.
The state-of-the-art 102-passenger vessel arrived in the country on Friday last week in Lata, Temotu Province.
It underwent clearance in Lata and travelled onward to Malapu in the Reef Islands to commence its first tour.
Tourism Solomons Head of Sales and Marketing, Fiona Teama-Liolea confirmed to Solomon Star the whole schedule of the National Geographic Orion in Solomon Islands.
“After clearance in Lata, the ship went to Malapu to experience cultural dancing, village walking and other activities provided by the villagers.
“On Saturday, the ship went to Utupua to enjoy cultural activities.
“On Sunday it traveled to Santa Ana in Makira-Ulawa Province to enjoy cultural activities.
“On Monday, it arrived in Honiara for a City Tour, lunch and drop off 31 passengers for a flight from Honiara to Brisbane.
“After it picked up 28 passengers who travelled from Brisbane to Honiara.
“On Tuesday it travelled to Santa Ana to enjoy other cultural activities.
“Today it will do clearance in Lata and later travel to Vanuatu,” she said.
Earlier on, Tourism Solomons said 16 cruise ships were expected to reach Solomon Islands this year.
National Geographic Orion is one of them.
Tourism Solomons said the ships will reach remote parts of the country like Anuta in Temotu Province, Santa Ana in Makira-Ulawa Province and also parts of the Western Province.
By LACHLAN EDDIE HOE
Solomon Star, Honiara
