Passengers are met at their Bali hotel and transferred directly to the Oceanic Odyssey at nearby Benoa Harbour for an afternoon sailing. Before the ship sails through the Lombok Straits, a safety briefing is given during which the passengers become acquainted with the ship and attend a brief port talk. In the evening the Captain hosts a welcoming cocktail party.

East Sumbawa is blessed with picturesque beaches accented by quiet fishing villages, often built on stilts over the water. The busy traditional port of Bima offers a step "back in time" as passengers see phinisi sailing boats taking and discharging their cargo on the docks near the ship.

An interesting full-day tour visits the hill tribe society of the Duo Donggo includes a breathtaking ride through the magnificent hillsides to see traditional architecture, and weaving villages. On the return run the tour visits the Sultan's palace for a display of traditional dances based on martial arts forms practised in the area. Then there is the chance to ride back to the ship in the local horse-drawn carriages - called "Ben Hurs" in remembrance of chariots once seen years ago at a local movie house!

During lunch the Oceanic Odyssey will anchor at a nearby beach for an afternoon of water activities - or just plain relaxation!

These islands of dry, tropical savannah are the home of dragon, the world's largest monitor lizard. The lizards - which grow up to three metres in length and may weigh as much as 200 kg - have been extinct everywhere else in the world since the Jurassic Age more than 144 million years ago: they are an awe-inspiring sight as they stalk through the forest just metres away. And they can sprint, swim, and climb trees.

The forest here is also the habitat of deer, wild boar, sulphur-crested cockatoos, noisy Friar birds, and the rare, mound-building megapode birds. Whales and dolphins are often seen in the straits.

The ship arrives at dawn after passing through the Komodo Straits during the night. After breakfast - and against the dramatic backdrop of the National Park - passengers, accompanied by Park Rangers, disembark for a cool, 4 km morning trek to where the dragons congregate.

passengers are then taken to the Pink Beach which offers excellent snorkelling and water sports; and where - weather permitting - a sumptuous buffet lunch is served.

When passengers re-board, the Oceanic Odyssey sails from Komodo, and passengers can relax and enjoy the wonderful scenery along with a drink at the poolside bar.

The ship sails from Komodo in the afternoon.

The ship berths at the harbour of Lembar on the island of Lombok. A variety of inclusive tours is available ashore on the island.

Lombok, still a largelly untouched, undeveloped and unspoilt island, is a unique amalgam of Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic cultures, often described as "Bali before the tourist." The "Sasak" culture found on Lombok is the last vestige of the Hindu Kingdom that reigned for hundeds of years in Java and the islands immediately to the east.

A full-day discovery tour of Lombok includes a visit to the historic Lingsar temple - a religious shrine revered by the three faiths; a stop at the traditional village of Bayan where excellent elephant grass baskets are produced; a local market; and a potery village where huge pots are fired in outside kilns. The tour includes a lunch at a local restaurant. The ship sets sail well after midnight on its return leg to its home port in Bali.

Following breakfast and check-out, passengers disembark mid-morning and are transfered from the ship to their Bali hotel.

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