Primatologist, Dr. Birute Mary Galdikas, a guest lecturer aboard Mollie Fitzgerald’s recent escorted departure to Indonesia and Borneo, was recently interviewed by CNN on the IMAX/Warner Brothers film, “Born to be Wild,” in which she is featured for her efforts to raise awareness and help orphaned orangutans. You can learn more about Dr. Galdikas on our web site and watch her
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After two action-packed days we’ve had nearly two full days at sea to reflect upon our special time with the orangutans and to visit with Dr. Galdikas who joined us on board in Kumai. It was fascinating to hear her lecture, focusing on the threat to orangutan habitat with the world’s insatiable demand for palm oil, which it seems is
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The word “orangutan” derives from the Malay words, “orang” is person; and utan comes from human which means “forest” … thus, “person of the forest,” and that is what we’ve come all this way to see! It is the largest tree-dwelling mammal, the only ape in Asia and shares 97% of human DNA. They are only found on Borneo and
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After two and a half days at sea, it is a happy event to catch our first glimpse of the third largest island in the world, Borneo, or Kalimantan, as the locals call it. As seen from the sea, it is seemingly flat and featureless, however, we all know that it’s lowland rain forests contain one of the most diverse
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We’re now 24 hours into the trip and commencing our first “day at sea.” The Java Sea, which is known to be rough, has been remarkably calm and we are delighted that Mother Nature is smiling on us. It’s a bit overcast, so not exactly “sunning on deck” weather, but not to worry as we’ve been kept very busy with
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(Click an image to view the original size) If driving to Cleveland to catch a 40-minute IMAX film sounds a bit much, spending 12 of the last 17 hours flying to and from Los Angeles for the launch of a new expedition ship may seem downright hair-brained…but it was an opportunity I could not pass up. Orion Expedition Cruises was
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In anticipation of the exclusive Frontiers group that I plan to escort next winter, Indonesian Interlude, I drove two hours to Cleveland to see a 40-minute IMAX film, “Born to Be Wild…” sound crazy? It was worth every minute! The movie explored the incredible bond that forms between humans and animals spotlighting two extraordinary women and their life-long work with
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Mollie Fitzgerald recently announced the itinerary for her next hosted departure! Accompanied by Tarquin Millington-Drake, they will take you on a cultural journey in Singapore, Java and Bali that will feature a 10-night Borneo expedition cruise, “Faces of the Forest” aboard the Orion II, with special guest lecturer, Dr. Birute Galdikas. Click here to review the full itinerary and learn
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