Celebrating the birth of evolutionary science on a very special ‘SeaTrek Sailing Journey’ in Indonesia

To commemorate the Victorian naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, and his well-known essay to Charles Darwin on the discovery of the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection, Indonesian expedition cruise operator SeaTrek Sailing Adventures will likely be joined by world famend Wallace professional, Dr George Beccaloni, Director of The Wallace Fund and the Wallace Correspondence Project to unveil a commemorative plaque to Wallace at a special ceremony in the small village of Dodinga, which is situated on Halmahera in Indonesia’s stunning Maluku Islands.

For these eager to be a half of this historic ceremony there are locations accessible on a special SeaTrek voyage departing on 4 October 2024.

Travelling aboard the Ombak Putih, a conventional 12-cabin pinisi schooner, the cruise will sail from Ternate to Raja Ampat on a 12-day expert-led journey In Search of Wallace and His Living Treasures.

It was while staying in Dodinga in 1858, that Wallace fashioned the concept for the mechanism by which pure choice was attainable whereas affected by a severe hallucinogenic fever introduced on by malaria. Upon his restoration he wrote the now well-known letter to Charles Darwin informing him of his discovery, prompting Darwin to lastly publish his personal concepts along with these of Alfred Russel Wallace. Sending them to the Royal Society in 1859 and altering the world of scientific thought perpetually*.

Also becoming a member of the cruise will likely be Bill Wallace, the nice grandson of A.R. Wallace, who will assist to unveil the plaque in the presence of native dignitaries, media, and the group of Dodinga Village.

Michael Travers, Head of Guest Relations for SeaTrek says: “We are proud to be involved in this event that celebrates not only the seminal work of A.R. Wallace, but that pays tribute to the people of the village of Dodinga, a small and once insignificant backwater that deserves to take its place in the annals of scientific history alongside Darwin’s Galapagos Islands”.

Over the course of the journey there will likely be additional alternatives for eager naturalists and Wallace followers to observe in his footsteps, together with a quantity of pre-dawn forest walks in search of the Wilson’s Bird of Paradise, the Lesser and the exceptional Red Bird of Paradise (one of the species that Wallace was most anxious to gather), and his namesake Bird of Paradise, Wallace’s Standardwing. For butterfly lovers, the cruise may also go to the island of Bacan, dwelling to 1 of Wallace’s nice discoveries, the Golden Birdwing Butterfly.

As the boat makes its means via the Dampier Strait, dwelling of some of Raja Ampat’s premier coral reefs, the cruise will then go to Yenbeser village the place Wallace spent many months dwelling amongst the native individuals and accumulating specimens. Throughout the voyage there will likely be alternatives to snorkel in coral wealthy waters and discover reefs teeming with fish, swim in a lake full of stingless jellyfish, and snorkel amongst large clams.

The 12-days’ full board In Search of Wallace and His Living Treasures cruise prices from $9,400 pp  (£7,460pp) together with all airport transfers and complimentary $150 bar tab. Excludes worldwide, gasoline surcharge, home flights and crew suggestions.