17 Oct 2019

Tabar Island's First Visitors

This morning our Expedition Leader Judd announced we were in for a true expedition day as we piled in Zodiacs and skimmed over the water to explore New Ireland's unknown Tabar and Tatau Islands.

It wasn't long before the buzz of our outboard motors attracted the attention of villagers who proceeded to wave us over from their beaches and small settlements scattered along Tabar Island. Ringed by coral reefs made landing difficult, but when two young boys paddled out in their dugout to meet us we found a safe passage through to a small beach at Tiripatz Village.

The first ship to ever visit, our hosts were just as excited to meet us as we them, as they showed us around their village and flourishing crops and gardens. With questions coming from both sides we learned about life on their island as we told them where we had travelled from to be there.

The afternoon was spent snorkelling along a sheer coral wall that disappeared into a cobalt infinity followed by a special reading by one of our expeditioners in the bar from James A Michener's Rascals in Paradise which detailed an ill-fated attempt to colonise an area of southern New Ireland we will soon be passing.

At 1700hrs our birders rejoined us on Spirit of Enderby having spent a full day at Lelet Plateau where birding highlights included Bismarck Flyrob in (still undescribed species), White-naped Lory, Bismarck Hanging Parrot and Black Imperial Pigeon.

Image © E. Bell, Heritage Expeditions