Adventure Travel with Norm: Expedition Cruises and Wild Places

The Ultimate Travel Podca
The Ultimate Travel Podca
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Adventure Travel with Norm explores expedition cruises, remote islands and wild places, from the Marquesas aboard the Aranui to the outer islands of the Cook Islands, Fiji and beyond. Host Normand Schafer talks with captains, guides, pilots and locals about snorkeling, diving, hiking, wildlife and culture in places few travelers reach, plus how to plan an adventure that fits you. New episodes every week. Plan your next adventure with Far and Away Adventures at farandawayadventures.com.

  1. 1d ago

    Pre-GPS Flights to the Northern Group: Air Rarotonga Founder Ewan Smith

    Imagine flying about 1,300 km over open ocean, before GPS, past the point of no return, with only one place to land. Normand Schafer of Far and Away Adventures.com (https://farandawayadventures.com/) talks with Ewan Smith, founder and managing director of Air Rarotonga, who did exactly that.Plan a remote Cook Islands adventure with a Far and Away Adventures specialist. Ewan explains what made that kind of flying possible: careful technical work and self-belief. In the early years, with one aircraft and little money, an unscheduled engine removal could threaten the whole business. He says many aviation businesses in the region failed for technical reasons, and that looking after equipment properly is what keeps remote routes flying. His lesson from decades of flying through the oil shock, 9/11, the global financial crisis and COVID: perseverance is everything. Wild places feature in another way, too. Ewan produced a documentary on the reintroduction of the kura, the Rimatara lorikeet, with Gerald McCormack, and his aerial photography captures the islands from above. Those remote islands still depend on the airline. Ewan describes a medevac from Pukapuka, where there is no doctor, completed in a single day. He talks about the Northern Group as a unique experience for travellers seeking truly isolated places, with few places to stay, and why the airline is working to make it more available. Ewan arrived in Rarotonga in 1973, aged 22, as a pilot and engineer, and founded Air Rarotonga about four years later with one Britten-Norman Islander. His early flights to the remote Northern Group felt, he says, like going to Mars. He also flew the first aircraft into newly built outer-island airstrips, with whole villages coming out to see. Get a free trip quote from Far and Away Adventures: https://farandawayadventures.com/form/quick-trip-request/?dest=Cook%20Islands&src=spotify

    Pre-GPS Flights to the Northern Group: Air Rarotonga Founder Ewan Smith

  2. 4d ago

    Beyond Bora Bora: Discovering Maupiti and the Marquesas

    French Polynesia offers much more than its best-known lagoon destinations. Valerie from Tahiti Tours joins Normand Schafer to discuss Maupiti, the Marquesas, and the importance of choosing islands that match your idea of adventure. Far and Away Adventures.com, https://farandawayadventures.com/, helps travelers explore these possibilities through personalized South Pacific vacation planning. For travelers interested in seeing different sides of French Polynesia, the conversation highlights how dramatically experiences can change between island groups. Valerie explains that activities should guide destination selection because the same opportunities are not available everywhere. Someone interested in hiking may need a different combination of islands from someone who prefers beaches, fishing, and lagoon exploration. Maupiti becomes a particularly interesting example. Normand describes its guesthouses, simpler style of accommodation, and remarkable lagoon. He emphasizes that visitors should understand what a more local travel experience may involve, including accommodations that do not necessarily provide every comfort associated with luxury hotels. Reaching remote islands can also require extra thought because transportation choices may be limited. The Marquesas provide a contrasting type of adventure. Valerie expresses her affection for these remote islands and their distinctive culture. Normand observes that the landscape is very different, while Valerie discusses the importance of cultural traditions and crafts. The exchange makes clear that choosing an island is not simply about picking a beach or a place to stay. Adventure also requires practical preparation. The discussion turns to flights, ferries, and the challenges of changing weather. Normand recounts a disrupted Maupiti-to-Bora Bora journey in which canceled transportation forced several itinerary adjustments before a workable flight was secured. Valerie explains why quick decisions and local support become especially valuable in these circumstances. If remote islands, local culture, and distinctive landscapes appeal to you, let Far and Away Adventures help design a French Polynesia journey that balances discovery with practical travel arrangements. Get a free trip quote from Far and Away Adventures: https://farandawayadventures.com/form/quick-trip-request/?dest=French%20Polynesia&src=spotify

    Beyond Bora Bora: Discovering Maupiti and the Marquesas

  3. Oct 17

    Northern Group Shells and Island Crafts: Mrs Q at Punanga Nui Market

    Around her stall you will find the wider island world: flower ei, pareu, island foods and coconuts, and local oils such as monoi oil. For adventurous travellers heading out to the outer islands, or just starting in Rarotonga, the market is an easy first introduction to Cook Islands craft and culture. She also shares how the market itself was born. After the 1992 Pacific Arts Festival, the huts used by visiting countries for carving and weaving were kept in use, and Mrs Q, back from travelling Australia with her art, helped open the market in 1993. It began small, took years to grow, and kept going through COVID with local people. It now has a new building. Mrs Q makes jewellery by hand using shells from the Cook Islands' far-flung Northern Group islands and pearl shell. Her earrings and pieces are a small, wearable link to atolls that few travellers ever see, and she talks about how she turns these materials into something to take home. Some of the most remote islands in the Pacific are hard to reach, but their treasures find their way to Rarotonga. In this episode, Normand Schafer of Far and Away Adventures.com (https://farandawayadventures.com/) talks with Mie, known as Mrs Q, a founder of the Punanga Nui Market.Plan a Cook Islands adventure, from Rarotonga to the outer islands, with a Far and Away Adventures specialist. There is a lesson in grit here too. Mrs Q explains that there were few tour buses when the market started, and the local mamas and papas had to be persuaded to come and sell. During COVID the market closed for a time, but it kept going with its own people. That same self-reliance runs through life on the outer islands. Her advice is to come on Saturday, the biggest day, when locals and visitors fill the market. Get a free trip quote from Far and Away Adventures: https://farandawayadventures.com/form/quick-trip-request/?dest=Cook%20Islands&src=spotify

    Northern Group Shells and Island Crafts: Mrs Q at Punanga Nui Market

  4. Oct 17

    The First Adventure in French Polynesia Happens in the Air

    The adventure begins with details that travelers might otherwise overlook. Polynesian crew members welcome guests with island greetings. The tiare Tahiti flower introduces a scent closely associated with the destination. Blue cabin colors recall the lagoons, and Tahitian music establishes a gentle rhythm that encourages passengers to settle into an island frame of mind. Before exploring Tahiti's lagoons and landscapes, travelers may experience French Polynesian culture aboard Air Tahiti Nui. Moy joins Normand Schafer to explain how the airline turns a flight into an early encounter with the destination. Far and Away Adventures.com, https://farandawayadventures.com/, helps curious travelers explore French Polynesia through thoughtfully planned journeys.Moy describes the intention behind these sensory details and how different passengers connect with them. For some, the fragrance of the flower marks the moment they feel their vacation has truly started. For others, it is the music or the genuine welcome from the crew. Discover how your journey to Tahiti could come together with personalized planning assistance from Far and Away Adventures. For those preparing for their own French Polynesia adventure, Moy introduces Air Tahiti Nui's economy, premium economy, and business-class experiences, including the option of lie-flat seating in business class. Her message is that comfort preferences are individual, but Polynesian hospitality remains central throughout the aircraft. The interview also explores the human side of an international journey. As a former flight attendant, Moy remembers travelers whose connecting flights had been delayed and who arrived upset. She explains how simple acts of service and a relaxed manner helped the crew provide a better experience. Get a free trip quote from Far and Away Adventures: https://farandawayadventures.com/form/quick-trip-request/?dest=French%20Polynesia&src=spotify

    The First Adventure in French Polynesia Happens in the Air

  5. Oct 16

    Explore Moorea: Snorkeling, Island Excursions & Polynesian Culture

    Adventure in Moorea doesn't have to mean rushing from one excursion to another. Normand Schafer talks with Hikura from Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort about exploring the island's lagoon, mountainous surroundings, and cultural experiences while still enjoying time to relax. Far and Away Adventures.com, https://farandawayadventures.com/, can help travelers combine these different sides of French Polynesia into one rewarding itinerary.One of the most memorable adventures starts before reaching the resort. Hikura recommends traveling from Tahiti to Moorea by ferry, both for the striking approach to the island and the opportunity to see local life. Passengers share the journey with residents, students, and people going about their normal routines. As the vessel approaches Moorea, the island's green mountains create a dramatic backdrop to the sea. The underwater environment is another highlight. Normand recalls using sea scooters near the resort and describes the area as a personal favorite for snorkeling. Hikura explains that the lagoon directly in front of Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea is protected, with clear water, coral, and numerous fish. The absence of motorized boating activity in that particular area contributes to its quiet atmosphere. If your ideal adventure combines snorkeling, culture, beautiful landscapes, and a little time to unwind, plan your Moorea journey with the destination specialists at Far and Away Adventures. Food becomes another form of exploration. Hikura describes the resort's French-Polynesian cuisine, the Pure restaurant, the waterfront K restaurant, and traditional Polynesian evenings. The preparation of an ahima'a earth oven reveals the effort behind a local culinary tradition. On land, visitors can discover Moorea by renting a bicycle, scooter, or car. The discussion also touches on safari experiences, ATV excursions, eco-museums, cultural tours, street food, and cooking classes led by island residents. These activities offer different ways to engage with Moorea beyond its postcard scenery. Get a free trip quote from Far and Away Adventures: https://farandawayadventures.com/form/quick-trip-request/?dest=French%20Polynesia&src=spotify

    Explore Moorea: Snorkeling, Island Excursions & Polynesian Culture

  6. Oct 15

    Raiatea and Taha'a: Two Islands, One Remarkable Adventure

    Imagine exploring ancient Polynesian heritage on Raiatea and then setting out by boat for Taha'a's coral gardens, pearl farms, and vanilla plantations. Arnold from Opoa Beach Hotel joins Normand Schafer to explain how travelers can experience both islands from one comfortable base. Far and Away Adventures.com helps turn destination inspiration into a tailored itinerary at https://farandawayadventures.com/. Raiatea is an island where adventure is not limited to the water. Arnold introduces Taputapuatea marae, a UNESCO-listed cultural site located approximately five minutes by road from the hotel. He describes its importance to Polynesian history and the feeling of mana associated with the site.Normand has visited the coral garden more than once and shares how impressive he finds its abundance of fish. The discussion captures the appeal of an adventure where learning about local production, enjoying island scenery, and exploring marine environments can all fit into one day. For travelers eager to explore the surrounding islands, Taha'a provides an exciting addition. Arnold explains how guests can depart by boat and experience an excursion combining several different activities. The itinerary he describes includes a vanilla farm, rum distillery, pearl farm, lunch on a motu, and time in Taha'a's coral garden. Back on Raiatea, possibilities extend to a pearl-farm treasure hunt, coconut farms, honey production, pineapple gardens, and botanical gardens. Even rainy weather can introduce another experience through cooking classes or coconut-leaf weaving. Arnold also describes Opoa Beach Hotel's 10 lagoon-facing bungalows and the ease of returning to a peaceful setting after a busy excursion. His strongest recommendation is to allow at least three or four nights rather than trying to fit everything into a brief stop.For an island adventure with both cultural substance and time to relax, work with Far and Away Adventures to build a Raiatea and Taha'a journey around the experiences that interest you most. Get a free trip quote from Far and Away Adventures: https://farandawayadventures.com/form/quick-trip-request/?dest=French%20Polynesia&src=spotify

    Raiatea and Taha'a: Two Islands, One Remarkable Adventure

  7. Oct 14

    Tahiti Diving Adventures: Shark Encounters and a Breaching Whale

    That moment captures the sense of possibility that runs through the episode. The Fluid Tahiti guest describes favorite dive locations along Tahiti's west coast, including an area with groups of gray sharks. At one particular site, the guest has observed smaller juvenile sharks at a shallower depth than larger animals below and enjoys watching their behavior. The story begins underwater, where the guest and two customers are completing a November sunset scuba dive. They encounter numerous gray sharks and hear the distinctive vibrations of whale song, although no whale appears during the dive itself. Then, after reaching the surface, they see a huge whale leap from the water nearby, silhouetted by the evening light toward Moorea. A whale breaches near a group of divers just after they surface from a sunset dive in Tahiti. That extraordinary experience is one of the stories shared by Fluid Tahiti in this adventure-focused conversation with Normand Schafer. Discover French Polynesia trip-planning possibilities through Far and Away Adventures.com at https://farandawayadventures.com/.Not every underwater adventure requires advanced experience, however. Fluid Tahiti also introduces visitors to scuba diving in a comparatively shallow lagoon environment with white sand, a submerged Cessna airplane, and small wrecks. The team takes time to explain breathing techniques and gradually helps new divers become comfortable. Work with Far and Away Adventures to include diving, snorkeling, or scenic lagoon experiences in your next French Polynesia adventure. Whether your interests lean toward underwater wildlife, learning a new skill, or memorable moments in a spectacular setting, this episode highlights the range of experiences available around Tahiti. For those seeking experiences closer to the surface, the discussion includes snorkeling excursions with multiple stops and lagoon cruises with views of Moorea. These offer alternatives to scuba diving while keeping the surrounding water at the center of the adventure.

    Tahiti Diving Adventures: Shark Encounters and a Breaching Whale

  8. Oct 11

    From Attorney to Hot Sauce Maker: Reinventing Life in the Cook Islands

    In this episode, we talk about reinvention, resilience, and discovering authentic local culture in the Cook Islands through one of Rarotonga’s most unique entrepreneurs. We also highlight how Far and Away Adventures.com and https://farandawayadventures.com help travelers experience destinations like the Cook Islands through meaningful local encounters and customized South Pacific travel planning. Normand Schafer visits the Rarotonga market to meet Paul from Rare Tonga Hot Sauce and hear the remarkable story behind his award-winning creations. Paul spent decades working as an attorney in the Cook Islands before the global pandemic dramatically changed life across the islands. With tourism slowing and legal work disappearing, he pivoted into farming and hot sauce production after government seedling programs encouraged local food growing. What began as a practical response to difficult circumstances eventually turned into an internationally recognized hot sauce brand that now attracts visitors from around the world. Throughout the conversation, Paul introduces listeners to the peppers and tropical ingredients used in his sauces, including jalapeños, habaneros, Carolina Reapers, coconut, banana, ginger, and soursop fruit. He explains how each sauce balances flavor and heat differently and why his philosophy is to complement food rather than overpower it. Travelers interested in local food culture will enjoy hearing how tropical South Pacific ingredients create flavor profiles unlike anything found elsewhere. The episode also explores the atmosphere of the Rarotonga market, one of the Cook Islands’ most enjoyable cultural experiences. Visitors can sample sauces, speak directly with local producers, and discover handcrafted products unique to the islands. Paul emphasizes that his sauces are only available in Rarotonga, making the experience even more memorable for travelers who want to bring home something genuinely local. A major highlight of the interview is learning about Paul’s side career as “Raro Elvis.” For years, he performed Elvis tribute shows for fundraising and local events, but after visiting Graceland in Memphis, his performances expanded into larger productions. His Elvis-inspired “Burning Love” hot sauce became one of the market’s signature products and perfectly reflects his sense of humor and personality. The episode provides insight into how island communities adapted during COVID, how tourism gradually returned, and why the Cook Islands continue to stand out as one of the South Pacific’s hidden gems. Whether you are interested in food travel, local culture, tropical destinations, or stories of entrepreneurship, this conversation captures the warmth and creativity travelers encounter in Rarotonga. If you are considering a Cook Islands vacation or planning a broader South Pacific adventure, Far and Away Adventures can help create a personalized itinerary that includes authentic experiences, island activities, and unforgettable local connections throughout the region.

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Adventure Travel with Norm explores expedition cruises, remote islands and wild places, from the Marquesas aboard the Aranui to the outer islands of the Cook Islands, Fiji and beyond. Host Normand Schafer talks with captains, guides, pilots and locals about snorkeling, diving, hiking, wildlife and culture in places few travelers reach, plus how to plan an adventure that fits you. New episodes every week. Plan your next adventure with Far and Away Adventures at farandawayadventures.com.

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