This voyage allows time for us to discover the islands of Tonga and Fiji and sail a blue water ocean passage between them.

We sail from Nuku’alofa, Tonga’s southern capital, through the Ha’apai group to Vava’u at the northern end of the Kingdom. These deserted islands with beautiful white sand beaches typify the idealized vision of the classical South Sea island.

At Vava’u we aim to visit Swallows Cave and Mariner’s Cave and make the most of the wonderful snorkeling there. A local beach feast is sometimes arranged here for one of the evenings.

In previous seasons we have seen whales (usually humpbacks) close by the ship in these waters as well as dolphins who delight in dancing in our bow wave. On these occasions those on bow watch duty have a front row seat for the excitement.

When at an anchorage we use Soren's 17 ft inflatable boat for runs to the beach to explore ashore. The ship has masks and snorkels for all those who want to swim from the ship.

It is 500 miles westwards from Niefu in Vava’u at the northern part of the Kingdom of Tonga to Levuka, the eastern entry port for Fiji. This should provide tropical downwind sailing at its best and will mean we have four or five nights to enjoy our ocean passage.

We arrive in Fiji at Levuka. Overlau has an old world charm of it own, and once Customs officers have cleared us, which can take a notoriously long time, we will get ashore and perhaps enjoy tea and billiards at the Royal Hotel or a gin at the Ovalau Club.

We should have 5 or 6 days to cruise the islands to the east and south of Fiji's main island Viti Levu. It will depend at the time which places we choose to go and often the chart will be laid out in the saloon and the alternative plans discussed and put to a vote - a decision making process rarely heard of in Captain Bligh's day.

In previous years we have had an enchanting day and night at either Kandavu or Mbegga lying at anchor off the village of Malureu within the lagoon. After the Captain had attained permission for our visit from the chief we invited dozens of the local children on board for a tour of the ship and we later the ship's company visited the village and joined in the traditional welcome of the kava ceremony at the chief's house. We may have stop for a bar-b-que lunch at one of the uninhabited islands close by.

The cruise around Fiji will involve one overnight passage as well as those spent anchored in peaceful bays and inlets and will finish at the port of Lautoka on the west side of Viti Levu.

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.

During the short sea passage from Vava'u to Fiji 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.

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.

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

Tonga 21- 27 deg C. Fiji: 26 deg to 30 deg C 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.