We aim to follow Capt. Cook's exploration of the Society and Cook Islands, navigating the same passages, lagoons and bays of this South Sea idyll.Starting our journey at the Tahitian capital of Papeete, we may see preparations for the annual Heiva I Tahiti festival, the largest of all yearly celebrations in Tahiti, held each June and July.

From Papeete we will sail the short 10 mile passage across the Sea of the Moon to the outlying island of Moorea. Staying overnight in beautiful Cooks' Bay beneath the volcanic peak of Mt Rotui this will be our first taste of the stunning lagoons and anchorages of the Society Islands.

Sailing north west downwind from Moorea we leave the Windward isles and reach the Leeward isles about 90 miles away. This should take us around 24 hours and we first enter the reef-protected islands at Huahine. Of all the islands that are frequented by travelers, this is the least affected from such contact. Adjacent to Huahine is Raiatea. For the Polynesian Maohi, ancestors of today's Tahitians, Raiatea was known as Sacred "Havai'i", and was the centre of royalty, religion, culture and history. It is also the home of the ancient Polynesian navigators whose sailing ‘waka’ once traversed the Pacific. There are several passes through the lagoon, which also encompasses the neighbouring island of Taha’a. At the shallow anchorage at Taha’a one can occasionally smell the aroma of vanilla grown in plantations here. Locals lead a simple, tranquil life of farming or fishing and outside influences on the island are minimal.

Navigating out of a pass in the reef we sail across open water to Bora Bora, the most famous of the Leeward islands. The spectacular pass at Vaitape is the only entrance through the barrier reef surrounding the island's lagoon. We will certainly spend a couple of nights here, enjoying the hospitality of Bora Bora Yacht Club, hiring bicycles to explore the island or snorkeling in the lagoon.

Leaving French Polynesia here we set out on our 550 mile ocean crossing towards the Cook Islands. The prevailing south-east trade winds should give us great sailing and after 4 or 5 days we should arrive at the low lying atolls of Aitutaki.

Here is Cook Island life at its most relaxed. The palm fringed white beaches may even be, as some have claimed, the best in the Pacific, and the impossibly vivid blues of the lagoon that stretches away to the horizon are stunning. There are some shops and a few tourist resorts here but development is unobtrusive and has not detracted from the overwhelming beauty of the place. It may be very difficult to haul up our anchor and actually leave such a perfect spot. However we have a further 160 miles to sail due south to our final destination of Rarotonga.

Rarotonga is the capital of the 15 island group and the small harbour at Avarua is our destination. Seafood is a staple of Polynesian cuisine and Rarotonga's restaurants offer traditional as well as island-style dishes. A delicacy is grilled 'mahi-mahi', the dolphin-fish, a specialty at Trader Jack's. The island is dominated by the central volcanic peak and a day's trek through the rainforest jungle is a great expedition after our few days at sea.

On arriving onboard you will be shown your berths, introduced to the crew, and signed on Ship's Articles as Voyage Crew members. Much of the morning will be spent introducing you to the ship and explaining the various routines, safety procedures and equipment and how the watch system works.

Our sailing between anchorages in the island groups may involve some motoring but also some quite intense sail handling. However this allows those who would rather relish the amazing scenery to stand back and let the keener sailors get involved in handling the ship under sail. Everyone is involved in the duty watch system as Voyage Crew which will operate while we are under way and you may have your turn at the helm, on bow lookout or helping trim sail or help tack ship. Going aloft is a unique experience but is not compulsory and everyone can decide when or if they’d like to. People of all ages join us and many have never sailed before - previous experience is certainly not necessary.

During the sea passage from Bora Bora to Rarotonga the ship is sailing 24 hours a day and as voyage crew you will stand deck watches and work within a normal 4 hours on / 8 hours off watch system. This rotates during the course of the voyage to allow everyone to be on deck during different parts of the day.

There are 13 permanent crew who maintain and sail the ship who are there to assist and help you enjoy your time aboard. Once we drop anchor the deck watch is undertaken by the permanent crew and you the Voyage Crew are free to explore ashore.

PACKING FOR YOUR TRIP
A complete list of clothing and personal gear is contained in the Soren Larsen’s Voyage Handbook, available only after a booking has been accepted. Here we make a few specific recommendations with regard to your voyage.

Luggage: One main piece of luggage, which should be a soft kit bag. A hard suitcase is NOT suitable as space is strictly limited.

Clothing: For any sea passage it is wise in invest in a quality wet weather jacket. It would also be sensible to have warm cloths for night watches. Cotton tops, t-shirts and shorts get worn on sunny days.

Footwear: In these tropical latitudes most go barefoot on deck. Bring a pair of trainers or velcro strapped sandels (reef walkers) for excursions ashore.

Equipment: High factor sunblock and sunglasses are recommended protection from sun on water; sea sickness tablets (Stugeron recommended); a large and small towel; earplugs, a torch and spare batteries; extra camera film; binoculars may be handy. A sleeping roll mat is good for sleeping out on deck. A lightweight rain jacket would be good insurance as when it rains in the tropics, it really pours.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Seasonal Climate

Societies 27-29 deg, Cooks 25 to 28 deg during the day, slightly cooler at nights, although in tropical latitudes you should expect it to be still warm and humid.

Meal Plan
Local Food and Drink: Three meals a day are included in the voyage price while on board the Soren Larsen. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are available on board and are paid for separately at the end of the trip.

Personal Expenses
You’ll need some extra money to cover drinks and souvenirs not included in voyage price, sightseeing and spending money at ports visited etc. Credit cards are accepted on board.

Health - Useful websites are www.cdc.gov/travel/austspac.htm
www.who.int/ith/map_pacific.html

Freedom and Flexibility
Voyages are planned to allow us some flexibility en route as to where we stop and anchor, how long we stay at each place and where we choose to go. We feel this is the key to the sailing authenticity and the genuine adventure of the ship’s voyaging. Itineraries may change due to weather conditions, readiness of the vessel or any other reason and so are without guarantee. If winds are unfavourable we may make use of the ship’s engine to maintain the schedule. All decisions regarding our route and itinerary will be made by the ship’s Master.

About the Søren Larsen
Now famous for providing sail training adventure voyages and as the star of the BBC’s classic series "The Onedin Line", the Soren Larsen was originally one of the last cargo carrying sailing ships trading throughout Scandinavia, northern Europe and Britain. Built of oak by the Danish ship building company of 'Soren Larsen & Sons' in Nykobing Mors in northern Denmark, she carried timber, grain and general cargo from 1949 to 1972. Purchased in 1978 by her present owner Tony Davies and his family, she was taken to Colchester on the east coast of England and lovingly restored and rerigged as the graceful 19th century brigantine she is today. Captain Davies specialised in period film work and so the Soren Larsen began her working life again in early 1979 starring in "The Onedin Line". Other projects followed including "The French Lieutenant’s Woman" and "Shackleton". In 1982 she was invited to pioneer sailing for the disabled for the Jubilee Sailing Trust in Southampton before being chosen, in 1987, to be Flagship of the First Fleet Re-enactment Voyage to celebrate Australia’s Bicentennial. She led a fleet of squareriggers on an ambitious 22,000 mile voyage from Portsmouth via Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town, arriving to a tumultuous welcome in Sydney in 1988.

She came to Auckland in 1989 to represent Britain in the 150th Celebrations and was made so welcome that she adopted New Zealand as her base from which to cruise the idyllic South Pacific Islands, taking many first time sailors on adventure holidays to Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu. In 1991 she made a passage back to Europe along the Clipper Route across the Southern Ocean and in December 1991 she became the first British tallship to round Cape Horn since 1936. She is presently the only authentic square rigger to have sailed around Cape Horn in Australasia.

After a major refit in the UK at Gloucester, Soren Larsen returned home to Auckland. She established herself as 'Flagship of the City of Sails' and has won Tourism Awards for Adventure and Experience categories. This illustrious ship  celebrated   the Millennium with a spectacular round the world voyage, the 2000-2001 Global Odyssey, visiting 25 countries and sailing 30,000 nautical miles. This 2004 project celebrates 25 years of voyaging under her present ownership and sets out to visit the very best of the untouched tropical South Pacific.