Didyma, Sailing
After a huge day in perhaps the greatest Greco-Roman city at Ephesus, we all welcomed a good night’s sleep in the comfort and embrace of the legendary sailing yacht Sea Cloud. We had cruised very slowly overnight around the Greek island of Samos, and were eager to get to see this true hand-sailed square-rigger under sail. But . . . we were told that there would be not a breath of wind in the morning, so the captain and expedition leader changed the plan to go ashore in the morning and wait for the afternoon to set sail with the hope of an onshore sea breeze later in the day. Okay, but what archaeological site could rival the ruins of Ephesus?
The Temple of Apollo at Didyma was never part of a city, but rather a stand-alone sacred temple dedicated to the Greek God Apollo.
May 16, 2013 Sea Cloud in Mediterranean
Pavlof Harbor & Chatham Strait
Those who chanced to be out and about before the official wake-up call this morning were rewarded with enchanting rays of sun stretching down from the clouds creating playful sparkles on the ocean’s surface. Respectful whales kindly waited until stretch class was finished before announcing their presence with spouts in the distance.
The morning activities took place at Pavlof Harbor with kayaking, hikes, and small boat tours.
May 16, 2013 National Geographic Sea Bird in Alaska
Ideal Cove & Petersburg
After a smooth night of sailing down Chatham Strait and through Frederick Sound, the National Geographic Sea Lion approached the site of our morning’s activities, Ideal Cove. This area on the east side of Mitkof Island has an extensive network of trails to utilize. So our goal this morning was to divide into groups for different lengths and intensity of walks, and explore some of the lush area of the Tongass National Forest. There was a faster and longer aerobic hike offered, along with several medium distance interpretive walks through this amazing habitat. The weather cooperated and everybody had a wonderful, and “dry,” time in this beautiful temperate rainforest.
Then it was back to the ship, and we were soon underway toward the town of Petersburg on the northwest tip of Mitkof Island, the area for our afternoon activities.
May 16, 2013 National Geographic Sea Lion in Alaska
South Plaza and Santa Fe Islands
What a wonderful day we had today.
It was an iguana day.
May 16, 2013 National Geographic Islander in Galápagos
San Francisco Village & Yarapa River, Upper Amazon
The Marañon is the westernmost large tributary of the Amazon River. The Amazon River (or Amazonas, as it is called in Peru) is usually considered to begin after the confluence of the Marañon and Ucayali Rivers. Flowing for approximately 850 miles, the Marañon is the 11th longest tributary of the Amazon River. Today, after navigating its waters for the past three days, we came to its confluence with the Ucayali and saw with our own eyes the Amazon River being formed.
Near where the Amazon is “born” a community known as San Francisco village is the place where 420 people, dedicated mostly to fishing and farming, called it their home.
May 15, 2013 Delfin II in Amazon
Chatham Strait
We awoke on board National Geographic Sea Lion cruising along the eastern shore of Chichagof Island in the presence of humpback whales. After dropping the anchor in Freshwater Bay we enjoyed our time exploring the forest and water around Pavlof Harbor. While some kayaked others hiked up alongside the raging waterfall where they gained a greater appreciation for the physical feat the salmon will later endure when they return to their natal spawning grounds.
Spring flood conditions made for wet feet (and high water) as we hiked along the river’s edge on approach to the lake.
May 15, 2013 National Geographic Sea Lion in Alaska
Ephesus, Turkey
Whether in-bound or outbound from the Sea Cloud, today—everyone visited the spectacular site of ancient Ephesus, which under Rome became the largest and most important trading center of the Aegean and the administrative capital of western Asia Minor. Ephesus began its rise to prominence almost a thousand years earlier as the sanctuary site of Artemis, the virgin goddess of the animals and moon and twin sister of Apollo. Over the centuries various small temples were built in her honor, but in the 6th century A.D., the Ephesians built the great Artemision, the largest Greek temple every built. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Artemision was surrounded by a double colonnade of 18-meter-high Ionic columns; the temple was three times the size of the Parthenon in Athens.
We started our visit at the upper gate of the ancient city passing between the columns of the Stoa of Basileios and into the Odeion, which was used both as the city council hall (Bouleuterion) and a concert hall.
May 15, 2013 Sea Cloud in Mediterranean
Glacier Bay National Park
The endless blue sky came as a surprise, as if someone raised the roof or lifted the veil. We knew this was rain country; that the land itself was made of water. But when the day dawned clear and bright, we stared, breathless.
Our first foray on deck sent us quickly back to our staterooms to find our dark glasses.
May 15, 2013 National Geographic Sea Bird in Alaska
Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz happens to be the second largest island, yet the most populated in the Galapagos archipelago.
The headquarters of both the National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station are located in the town of Puerto Ayora, and we visited both today.
May 15, 2013 National Geographic Islander in Galápagos
Glacier Bay National Park VIDEO
Last night we crossed the national park boundaries of Glacier Bay. Unlike most wilderness areas, this national park includes the marine portion of the fjords, and the admission for vessels is carefully regulated. We picked up our park rangers before breakfast, and ventured north into the heart of Glacier Bay. First, we stopped to admire South Marble Island. This recently de-glaciated rock is ideal habitat for nesting birds. Tufted puffins, black-legged kittiwakes, common murres, black oystercatchers, glaucous-winged gulls and bald eagles were seen, among other bird species. We also saw a large group of Steller’s sea lions hauled up on the rocks, as steam rose into the air from their warm bodies.
Mountain goats are still found at low elevation this time of the year, before summer kicks in.
May 14, 2013 National Geographic Sea Lion in Alaska
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