Lindblad scouts Alizé Carrère and Dagny Ivarsdottir search Iceland for new guest experiences. Here, they take to the sky to find unforgettable hiking routes.
Geologist, NOAA scientist, and NASA astronaut, Dr. Kathryn Sullivan shares stories from her famed career that has taken her from the far reaches of outer space to the bottom of the world’s oceans.
The morning onboard National Geographic Orion was filled with interesting presentations from Naturalist Heather and Certified Photo Instructor Mike Nolan. Then we made our way to the incredible home of the Asmat people. The afternoon was truly an incredible experience. Once we were cleared into the beautiful country of Indonesia, we boarded our trusty Zodiacs and made our way to the Asmat village. Waiting to welcome us were their strongest warriors at the mouth of the river. It was a very special day.
Today was classic southeastern Alaska. A light rain greeted us as we woke and continued until we retired to bed. But rather than being annoying, it magically transformed the jaw-dropping landscape to a higher level. Three hikes were offered: casual, moderate, and strenuous. No one stayed aboard, all donned appropriate gear and humbly walked through the majestic coastal rain forest, closely observed by stately centuries-old Sitka spruce and western hemlock, as well as a diverse assemblage of understory shrubs, mosses, lichens, and fungi. Many of us also saw the often-overlooked rough skinned newt. The afternoon consisted of cruising for wildlife through Fredericks Sound and briefly watching a single humpback whale. During the mid-afternoon, we listened to two presentations on whales. Of course, a pod of Dahl’s porpoises ‘interrupted’ one of them, but in a most welcome manner. Several swam alongside the ship, affording a great view for those watching out the lounge windows. And before cocktails and recap, we encountered a solitary humpback that was actively diving and showing its distinctive fluke. After dinner, we participated in a trivia contest with subjects ranging from Alaskan history, natural history, ship characteristics, and the staff. It was a lively way to end the day.
Sít Eeti Geiyí, or “Bay in Place of the Glacier” is my favorite place on our blue planet. It is always a special and immense privilege to spend time in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, and I’m glad to have visited this unique bay today. We began the morning with walks in Bartlett Cove on the only trails in the entirety of Glacier Bay. Once back onboard, we casted lines and set sail north. Over the course of the day, we had sightings of tufted puffins, mountain goats, Steller sea lions, humpback whales, coastal brown bears, and more along our journey. Visiting the beautiful glaciers that carved this bay was a great way to end the day. Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers are incredible to behold, even on a foggy day like today. Bits and chunks fell off Margerie, and we made sure to pay respect to the Grand Pacific Glacier.
Alaska is dotted with small communities and villages, each with its own spirit and story. Petersburg is one of these communities, and it’s one of the highlights of the Alaskan experience aboard National Geographic Quest. Docking early in Petersburg allows guests to see this small island town come to life in the morning. Fishing vessels drift out of the harbor, eager to secure the day’s catch of herring, salmon or halibut. Fishing being the life blood of Petersburg, the harbor is a prime place for meeting locals and viewing the array of boats, old and new, that provide transportation to a town devoid of connecting highways. The harbor holds more life under the water’s surface than it does above; our undersea dive team sank into the icy depths to document the beautiful bouquet of sea anemones, starfish, and crabs that make the Petersburg dock their home. Guests had many options for activities in town, including guided bike tours, a muskeg hike on an adjacent island, a longer aerobic hike to Raven’s Roost Viewpoint, Zodiac cruises, guided dock walks, or even just taking time to explore town on their own. Whatever the choice, time spent in Petersburg is always uniquely Alaskan.
We arrived at the beautiful landing of Punta Pitt very early in the morning. A gang of playful juvenile sea lions were rolling with the waves on the olivine-colored beach, barking loudly to greet us with comical choreography. Once we were ready to start our walk, we were surprised by a red-footed booby who desperately and laboriously cut little branches of saltbush with the apparent purpose of getting nesting material. The effort it made to cut a few little twigs was completely inspiring. Look how he does it! Then, on the summit of an eroded tuff cone, we saw blue-footed boobies nesting. It was too early to start to work so they were sleeping, and in few cases, taking care of their newborn featherless chicks! Later, we returned to the green beach, and we swam with sea lions and colorful tropical fish. In the afternoon we headed to a special bay where one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos exists. We strolled on the white coralline beds and swam in the turquoise water, then finally sailed around an ancient and dying ash cone in the middle of the sea, called Kicker Rock.