Paul Gauguin Cruises has announced its optional shore excursions for its Australia & Southeast Asia voyages.

On these 14-night itineraries, The Gauguin sails between Cairns, Australia, and Singapore, visiting less-traveled tropical ports of Australia such as Thursday Island, once a World War II military outpost, and Darwin, with its lively yet laidback ambiance. 

Indonesian ports include Komodo Island, home of the Komodo dragon; beautiful Bali, a coveted destination for generations; and Semarang, with its fascinating history and gateway to the temples of Borobudur.  Two departures are offered: June 25, 2014, and August 4, 2014, with cruise fares from $5,995 per person per voyage.  Both sailings include roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles.

Select optional shore excursions offered on the Australia & Southeast Asia voyages include:

•  Thursday Island, Australia—Thursday Island Discovery: Gain insight into Thursday Island’s people, history, commercial base, and culture; visit the refurbished Torres Strait Museum and Green Hill Fort; and see the Japanese Pearl Divers Memorial.  

•  Darwin, Australia—Crocodylus Park: Visit a park featuring more than 1,000 saltwater and freshwater crocodiles, ranging in length from 11 inches to 15 feet.  

•  Darwin, Australia—Jumping Crocodile Cruise: Cruise along Adelaide River to watch jumping crocodiles.

•  Darwin, Australia—Litchfield National Park: Explore the rainforest at Litchfield National Park, and view the Magnetic Termite Mounds and either Wangi or Florence Falls.

•  Komodo Island, Indonesia—Komodo Trekking Tour: Trek through Tamarind Woods in search of Komodo Dragons, the largest reptiles on Earth.

•  Benoa, Bali, Indonesia—Cooking Class at Four Seasons Resorts at Jimbaran Bay: Learn the secrets of Indonesian, Balinese, or Italian cuisine, as well as the use of the Balinese stone mortar and pestle.

•  Benoa, Bali, Indonesia—Experience Balinese Life: Experience local culture, visit a local elementary school and a unique Balinese House Compound, stroll along rice fields with a local farmer, view a demonstration of coconut harvesting, and visit Taman Pule Temple and Mas Village.

•  Benoa, Bali, Indonesia—Elephant Safari Ride & Monkey Forest: Acclaimed as one of the world’s best, the Elephant Safari Park is home to 29 of these gentle giants. Enjoy a 30-minute elephant ride, then travel to Sangeh Village to visit the Sangeh Monkey Forest. 

•  Benoa, Bali, Indonesia—Bali Safari & Marine Park: Four hundred animals, representing 80 species, live here. Interact with the many different animals within these gardens and enjoy the water park, which has slides for both adults and children. 

•  Semarang, Indonesia—Highlights of Semarang Tour: See the Gereja Blenduk (Dome Church), Gedong Batu Temple, Grand Mosque (MAJT – Masjid Agung Jawa Tengah), and Vihara Mahavira monastery.

•  Semarang, Indonesia—Steam Train Ride & Plantation Tour: Ride through the historical sections of Semarang and make your way to Ambarawa Village. Visit the Ambarawa Railway Museum and board a unique steam train for a ride to the village of Tuntang and back. 

•  Semarang, Indonesia—Fascinating Borobudur Temple: See the dramatic landscape of Central Java en route to Borobudur Temple, the world’s largest Buddhist monument and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and take in a performance by local entertainers.

Onboard the ship, a variety of special guests will lecture, perform, or provide demonstrations on the Australia & Southeast Asia voyages, which are included in Paul Gauguin Cruises all-inclusive fares. 

Parisian celebrity chef Jean-Pierre Vigato, champion freediver Herbert Nitsch, “extreme artist” Jean Francois Detaille, and soprano Françoise Krief will be aboard the June 25, 2014, voyage. 

Joining the August 4, 2014, voyage are Nobel Peace Prize winner John E. Hay, islands expert Helen Henry, destination specialist Mick Fogg, and Paul Gauguin Cruises chairman Richard Bailey. On both voyages, art history professor and Paul Gauguin expert Caroline Boyle-Turner, renowned archaeologist and scholar Mark Eddowes, and a World War II expert will provide a series of lectures.