Hokule’a is making further distance from Hawaii in its unprecedented journey around the world, having landed last week in Bali.

The traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe arrived Thursday on the small Indonesian island, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, after an 11-day voyage from Darwin, Australia, across the Indian Ocean that saw a new round of weather-related challenges.

In a video transmitted from Hokule’a’s deck, apprentice navigator Jenna Ishii reported that the canoe was temporarily placed under tow by its new escort vessel, Gershon II, to keep to a tight schedule amid extremely light winds.

"We promised the Bali community that we would be there for a big arrival ceremony — and they have been putting a lot of time and effort making this very first interaction between Hawaii and Bali with Hokule’a happen," Ishii said in a video posted July 23.

Several days later, however, Ishii reported that the conditions had changed, with big waves that challenged her traditional wayfinding navigation skills, and strong consistent winds that sent the Polynesian canoe "flying" along the Indian Ocean at around 8 knots (9.2 mph).

While in the Timor Sea en route to Bali the crew also visited the Ashmore Reef, an uninhabited atoll that crew member Kaniela Lyman- Mersereau described in a video filmed there as pristine and teeming with marine life — but also littered with marine debris from parts unknown.

"It reminds us that we’re not doing quite enough to malama honua (care for the earth) when we see stuff like this," Lyman-Mersereau said, holding some of the degraded debris in his fist.

During a welcoming ceremony at Bali’s Sanur Beach featuring traditional local dance and Hawaiian hula, Hokule’a captain Nainoa Thompson lauded the "thousands" of supporters back in the islands who’ve helped make Hokule’a’s journey possible to this point, footage provided by the Polynesian Voyaging Society showed.

State Rep. Gene Ward (R, Kalama Valley-Queen’s Gate-Hawaii Kai) was among those who helped welcome the canoe to Bali.

Crews plan to stay in Bali for the next two weeks, visiting the island’s ancient temples, fishing villages and farms, before departing for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, according to the Polynesian Voyaging Society.