paradise - Passports Overloaded

Darwin, Australia

April 7, 2025 – April 7, 2025

Head for the incredible waterfalls at Litchfield National Park. Watch crocodiles at a research station, or take a cruise along the Adelaide River and watch the saltwater crocs leap from the water to catch their prey.

Travel by coach through Australia’s tropical Top End to the Adelaide River, then embark on a cruise that brings you nearly face-to-jaws with jumping crocodiles. Yes, you read that right: jumping, snaggle-toothed, claw-footed crocs. And we’re not talking about little hops, these are full-tilt leaps of almost a full body length out of the water. But first things first: the Adelaide is one of eight Northern Territory rivers whose expansive floodplains create a great expanse of coastal wetland – a perfect habitat for all sorts of unique animals and plant life. Including crocodiles. En route to the cruise, you’ll stop in at the Window on the Wetlands Visitors Center for a brief opportunity to learn more about life in these parts. Then it’s on to the main event, your cruise along the Adelaide. It will be very relaxing – but don’t relax too much because any minute you might see the tell-tale ripples signaling an approaching reptile. You’ll want to have your camera poised in hopes of capturing that breathtaking moment when the croc breaks the water and vaults out in a shower of spray, scales and muscle. It’s a primal, surprising thrill you won’t soon forget.

If you would like to see where and what we are while visiting Darwin

Thursday Island, Australia

April 5, 2025 – April 5, 2025

Soar high above the island-dotted sea in a helicopter and fly east toward Cape York, the wild and remote tip of continental Australia. The flight will take you high above neighboring Horn Island, where you may notice the horn-shaped hill that gave the island its name. To the east lies Punsand Bay, islets such as Murangi and Cape York, the northernmost point of the Australian continent. Famed British captain James Cook named the cape in 1770 for the Duke of York, the brother of King George III. As you will see from your window seat, the cape has remained a rugged, largely undeveloped area rimmed with beautiful beaches. As the helicopter flies along the coast, you may see coral reefs below the water’s surface, fishing boats just offshore, and the occasional adventurer, as many areas can only be reached in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle. That is the beauty of the Cape York peninsula; it is wild, remote, and extraordinarily pristine.

If you would like to see where and what we are while visiting Thursday Island

Cairns, Australia

April 1, 2025 – April 4, 2025

Spend time on a spacious pontoon moored atop the Outer Reef, and discover the exquisite beauty waiting below in the world’s richest marine habitat. Your adventure begins with a scenic 90-minute sail by luxury catamaran to the Marine World activity platform on one of the Outer Great Barrier Reef’s most pristine and versatile sites.

If you would like to see where and what we are while visiting Cairns

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Bay of Islands, New Zealand

March 27, 2025 – March 27, 2025

Relish the opportunities in this natural playground as you observe flying dolphins, gannets and blue penguins. The diving is renowned as some of the best in the world. Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty House, where the founding document of New Zealand was signed.

Cruise the turquoise waters and unspoiled inlets of the Bay of Islands and see Cape Brett Lighthouse, the Hole-in-the-Rock sea arch and more. You’ll depart the pier aboard a stable catamaran featuring roomy indoor and outdoor viewing decks, sailing under what could be the earth’s bluest skies into a constellation of 150 unspoiled islands off the North Island’s northeast corner. The Bay of Islands is both magnificent and historically significant: New Zealand’s earliest Maori settlers migrated here 700 years ago, and its first British missionary settlers arrived in 1814. Charles Darwin stopped by not long after, and in more modern times, American adventure writer Zane Grey popularized the islands as a big-game fishing paradise. You’ll journey through these fabled waters today, passing picturesque islets as you make for crisply white Cape Brett Lighthouse, perched high atop a spectacular headlands cliff. You’ll see Motukokako Island with its dramatic Hole-in-the-Rock arch and visit another major highlight, the majestic Grand Cathedral Cave. Slowly cruising among the inner islands, you’ll likely have engaging encounters with the schools of dolphin that frequent these waters. Commentary from the captain will help fill in the natural and cultural history of it all.

If you would like to see where and what we are while visiting Bay of Islands

Auckland, New Zealand

March 25, 2025 & March 26, 2025

Enjoy this beautiful city, its enormous parks and spectacular views from Mount Eden. Learn about Maori culture; visit the famed Waitomo Glowworm Caves and their fantastic formations. Or head for the coast and the crashing surf, see a gannet colony and admire the sheep farms along the way.

If you would like to see where and what we are while visiting Auckland

Whangarei, New Zealand

March 24, 2025 – March 24, 2025

Naturally beautiful Whangari Falls. The falls tumble over a sheer volcanic basalt cliff, and the sight is especially spectacular in the rainy season. Two observation platforms will provide excellent vantage points for photographs. You may also learn a bit about the history of the cascades, which the Maori considered a sacred place for healing. In the 1920s, a local businessman bought the falls and surrounding land to prevent a commercial mill from being built at there, which would have spoiled the natural setting.

If you would like to see where and what we are while visiting Whangarei

Noumea 2025, New Caledonia

March 21, 2025 – March 21, 2025

Trace New Caledonia’s history at two museums, one reflecting the island’s strong ties to the sea, the another revealing the island’s strategic role in World War II. Much of this seafaring past is displayed in the Museum of Maritime History, whose thousands of artifacts date to the early Melanesian and Polynesian settlers. Other historical marine highlights include two frigates that were sunk in the late 18th century but not found until 2005 when one of the ship’s sextants was discovered at the bottom of the sea. The second museum reflects Noumea serving as a headquarters for the United States military during World War II. From 1942 until the end of the war, more than one million U.S. and Australian soldiers were stationed on New Caledonia, and their presence left a lasting impact. Before the war, the island was known for little more than being a French penal colony.

If you would like to see where and what we are while visiting Noumea (2025)

Lifou Island, New Caledonia

March 20, 2025 – March 20, 2025

Explore the northern coast of this paradise for intoxicating cliffs and limestone caves, and the southern side for turquoise water and white sand beaches. Snorkel the calm, clear waters of Baie de Jenik, where coral reefs are close enough to swim without flippers. Jokin Cliffs boast amazing caves with stalagmites and stalactites.

Gain an understanding of life on Lifou by visiting a prosperous vanilla plantation and the village of Jokin, which overlooks one of the island’s most gorgeous seascapes. Although Lifou’s terrain is rugged, especially along the coast, it is ideal for growing vanilla beans, as you will see firsthand on the plantation. The majority of the vanilla grown on the island is exported to flavor everything from ice cream to perfume, but a small quantity is always reserved for use by the islanders. After a tour of the wonderfully aromatic plantation, you will have the chance to sample a cup of vanilla-enhanced coffee. In the northernmost village of Jokin, you will enjoy free time to wander around and mingle with the residents, who will eagerly share the details of daily life in their small, rather remote village. Jokin perches high atop a fossilized coral cliff overlooking one of the island’s most magnificent bays, and the views are breathtaking.

If you would like to see where and what we ate while visiting Lifou Island

Port Vila (Efate) Mystery Island, Vanuatu

March 19, 2025 – March 19, 2025

If you would like to see where and what we ate while visiting Port Vila (Mystery Island)

Lautoka, Fiji 2025

March 17, 2025 – March 17, 2025

Nicknamed “Sugar City,” it’s in the heart of the soft coral capital of the world. Snorkel, scuba, take a boat to a nearby deserted island; visit lush rainforests, local potters and orchid farms.

If you would like to see where and what we ate while visiting Lautoka (2025)

Alphabetic Links of Where We’ve Been