Opposite the Myanmar coast isolated and unchanged for centuries lie about 800 mountainous densely forested islands. Here impenetrable jungles meet white sandy beaches forming the Mergui Archipelago one of the last untouched island paradises. Animal and bird life is prolific. On the larger islands, elephants, tigers, deer, wild boars, and other species still exist in a time warp.
The “Moken” are the Sea Gypsies of the archipelago who hand carve their boats from huge single logs and prefer to live their live constantly wandering the seas to harvest the oceans bounty taking only what they need to survive each day, living in respect and harmony with nature.
Alive with the trills of bird song. Just off shore colorful corals, giant sea fans, plentiful fish, turtles, manta rays and you might even be lucky enough to snorkel with the whale sharks.
The Mergui archipelago combines well with land excursions to Inle Lake and the ancient temples of pagan or a leisurely cruise through Myanmar's life blood, the Irawaddy.
Siam, the magical Asian kingdom a blend of beauty, ancient traditions and tropical abundance. 16th century French travelers reported that the Siamese capital Ayutthaya was the most beautiful city in the East, rivaling Paris itself. Their detailed accounts described Siam as a land of fabulous temples and traditions set in pleasure garden surroundings. Since then Siam has inspired visions of a lush Far Eastern paradise, a land of luxury, gilded palaces, complex culture and intricate handicrafts. The truth about Siam is every bit as exotic as the fantastic accounts from the past 600 years.
Today, the essence of Siam is embodied in the living culture of Thailand. Unlike its Southeast Asian neighbors, Thailand was never colonized by a Western power. Thais are intensely proud of their culture and sincere in welcoming visitors. Great monolithic limestone pinnacles, floating villages, mysterious cave paintings, hidden lagoons and grottos surrounded by white sandy beaches are only a small part of the Siam Sojourn experience.
The beautiful Malaysian archipelago of Langkawi is shrouded in mythical legends. According to one legend
the name 'Langkawi' is a combination of two Sanskrit words, Langka (beauty) and Wi (innumerable) “the place
of immense beauty”. For hundreds of years pirates hid among these islands where secret coves and lush tropical jungles protected them from prying eyes and the law, while the tall mountains served to watch for shipping. Shrouded in mystery and legends, Dayang Bunting, the second largest island in the archipelago, contains the
largest fresh water lake in Malaysia.
These picturesque islands and beautiful anchorages provide a spectacular back ground for water sports, hiking, and natural history. The islands vary widely between lush mangrove forests and dramatic limestone cliffs soaring above
the surface of the sea sheltering isolated bays with white sandy beaches. Several world-class dive sites are found around these islands.
The beautiful Malaysian archipelago of Langkawi is shrouded in mythical legends. According to one legend the name 'Langkawi' is a combination of two Sanskrit words, Langka (beauty) and Wi (innumerable) “the place of immense beauty”.
In the past pirates hid among these islands where secret coves and lush tropical jungles protected them from prying eyes and the law, while the tall mountains served to watch for shipping. Shrouded in mystery and legends Dayang Bunting, second largest island in the archipelago, contains the largest fresh water lake in Malaysia.
These picturesque islands and beautiful anchorages provide a spectacular back ground for water sports, hiking, and natural history. The islands vary widely between lush mangrove forests and dramatic limestone cliffs soaring above the surface of the sea sheltering isolated bays with white sandy beaches. Several world-class dive sites are found around these islands.
Jagged silhouettes of sun drenched hills highlighting turquoise bays trimmed with pink sand beaches provide a dramatic backdrop for fun and adventure. The Komodo islands are blessed with secluded beaches, crystal clear waters, and stunning coral reefs. One of the world's richest marine environments, this World Heritage Site has over 260 species of coral, 70 species of sponges, over 1,000 species of fish, along with marine reptiles, dolphins, whales, and dugongs. Other notable species include giant turtles and manta rays. Diving, snorkeling, or enjoying water sports in the waters around Komodo is an extraordinary experience
Komodo archipelago contains hundreds of unique and endemic species of flora and fauna, including turtles, wild boars, water buffalo, deer, monkeys and the famous Komodo Dragons, the largest land-dwelling reptiles in the world. The largest verified Dragon was 3.13 meters long, over 9 feet, and weighed 166 kilograms or about 365 pounds. Their footprints are often seen along pink sandy beaches, or while hiking in the hills with knowledgeable park rangers.
With Silolona as a base explore the little-known, yet fascinatingly diverse, islands of the Savu Sea. From "ikat" textiles, volcanic crater lakes to war dances, explore in-depth the ancient cultures rimming the Savu Sea. Each dawn reveals a new island landscape and a different culture, perhaps a gently smoldering volcano, or a sleepy native harbor bustling with traditional fishing craft and local schooners or a peaceful bay where you can enjoy unrivaled diving or the many available water activities. 
Each day brings new opportunities to snorkel, dive, swim, fish, or stroll an isolated beach collecting shells or sorting thoughts. The beauty of these islands is legendary, their bio-diversity astounding, as is the rich tapestry of their cultures. The friendly warmth of the people makes these little explored islands a truly memorable destination.
Long before our lookout sighted land, the scent of spices wafted across the burnished teak decks of our wooden sailing ship. There before us, nestled in the tranquil Banda Sea, lies an enchanted fragment of history, the center of the Spice Island trade, a tiny island that was once traded for an equally tiny island named Manhattan.
On the morrow we shall stroll through the world’s oldest nutmeg gardens, visit private colonial mansions, and savor the remnants of Banda’s once glorious past soothed by the trade winds and the idyllic charms of these now forgotten islands. On our way to snorkel or dive the brilliant multihued underwater gardens of the lava flows we might stop along the beach to collect shards of 500 year old pottery washed ashore from some ancient shipwreck.
Patti Seery, or “Ibu Patti” as the locals respectfully call her, employs her long association with Banda to provide not only a unique introduction to the history and natural beauty of the Banda Islands, the original home of the stately nutmeg tree, but a direct introduction into the society, culture, and daily lives of the people who for centuries have called Banda their home.
Raja Ampat means “four kings”, referring to the islands Salawati, Batanta, Waigeo and Misool. This region on the north-western tip of New Guinea comprises about 610 islands spread over 50,000 sq km of spectacular scenery. Here we also find the remote islands of Misool a scenic range of majestic limestone structures with precipitous cliffs and craggy spires.The underwater world is enchanting with the greatest and healthiest coral reef biodiversity for its size in the world, nearly 1200 species of fish and 540 species of coral have been recorded, 70% of the world’s total number of coral species.
Explore the most beautiful soft coral jungles of Asia, with their orange, red, purple and pink shades as well as whales on migration along the coast of Papua. Above the water, kayak in secret bays enclosed by jagged lime stone pinnacles covered with orchids and tropical vegetation. This excursion combines well a visit to the Dani people of the Grand Baliem Valley of Papua.
Papua is a tropical island of natural splendor with mighty rivers carving through the world's second largest rain forest, over 2,700 species of orchids, scenic beaches, where snowcapped mountains tower over glacial lakes. Papua shelters many rare species of wildlife including the flightless cassowary and the fabulous bird of paradise. First visited by westerners in 1938 the Baliem Valley has been farmed for over 9,000 years. The first explorers mistook this lush valley for the mythical paradise of Shangri La. There are three main tribal peoples emerging from the Stone Age still practicing ancient rituals inhabiting the Baliem Valley, each with a distinct culture.
The Asmat tribe resides in an area of rugged untamed wilderness along the coast of Papua. Long notorious as headhunters and cannibals they are now renowned among primitive art experts as woodcarvers of the highest order. The relationship of the Asmat carver to wood is totally sacred. The Asmat believe that their creator carved their ancestors from trees and gave them the blessing of life. The artist strives to infuse each piece with the spirit energy of those ancestors creating a sacred bridge between the material and spirit worlds.
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In the highlands of South Sulawesi nestle the land of Toradja, which boasts spectacular mountainous landscapes and a truly vibrant traditional culture. The intricately carved traditional houses shaped like boats seem to sail across seas of green rice paddies strewn with massive boulders and ancient mysteries.Si Datu Bua is the name the Konjo boatbuilders gave to the Silolona Sojourns newly launched ship to honor Patti Seery who was adopted into a prominent Toradjan family more than 20 years ago in a powerful Aluk to Dolo ritual.
Patti Seery will provide deep insights into the Toradjan way of life and culture in the specially crafted cultural trips that combine both land
and sea.
Sail the waters of Sulawesi for 7 days onboard Si Datu Bua and expierience the toradjan way of life for 5 days at Pattis 164 year old intricately carved “Tongkonan” clan house on the slopes of Toradja’s highest mountain, Gunung Sesean.
