Expedition Stories

Our fleet navigates the world in search of adventure. These are the stories they bring back…

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World View

9/22/2023

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Photos of the Week, September 22, 2023

This week's photos from the field included rugged landscapes in Greenland and Norway; wildlife in British Columbia and the Galápagos Islands; and beautiful skies and still water in Alaska.

In Brief

Daily Expedition Reports

Follow Along

Daily Expedition Reports

9/27/2023

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National Geographic Resolution

Ishigaki-jima, Yaeyama, Japan

Today we edged even closer towards Taiwan on our second to last day in Japan. We docked at lovely Ishigaki Island in the southern part of Okinawa prefecture and were greeted by a team of local women dressed in Okinawan kimono and dancing to traditional music. The Ishigaki Highlights tour began at Minsa Kogei Kan, a craft center specializing in the Minsa weaving technique from Okinawa that dates to the 16th century. The next stop was Ishigaki Yaima Village, which showcases relocated Yaeyama-style traditional residences and is home to a large number of squirrel monkeys. After enjoying a local music and dance performance, we enjoyed a glass-bottom boat ride on Kabira Bay before returning to the ship for lunch. Other groups enjoyed birding at Banna Park, riding in a traditional Okinawan fishing vessel called Sabani, or relaxing and snorkeling on Yonehara Beach. After lunch, shuttles offered a chance to explore the Ishigaki Town Center with its island vibe and fascinating confluence of Japanese, Chinese, and local Okinawan cultural influences.

Daily Expedition Reports

9/26/2023

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National Geographic Orion

Pulau Belitung

On a calm, tropical morning, National Geographic Orion anchored off the coast of Pulau Belitung, an island in the Java Sea off the east coast of Sumatra. By Zodiac, we landed at the beautiful beach of Tanjung Kelayang to a warm welcome with a dance performance by members of the local community. The beach is very photogenic with many colorful longboats anchored beside the white sand. Under cover and protected from the hot morning sun, we were entertained by the reenactment of a traditional Indonesian marriage ceremony, complete with the requisite gift giving and financial negotiations between the families before the union could be completed! Before heading back to the ship for lunch, guests enjoyed snorkeling around the spectacular granite boulders in the area, which is formally recognized as a UNESCO geopark.

Daily Expedition Reports

9/25/2023

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National Geographic Orion

Mentebung, Badas Islands

Another day of adventure and discovery unfolded as we anchored at beautiful Mentebung in the Badas Islands. Our journey through this Indonesian paradise continues to delight us with each passing day. The morning commenced with our beloved stretch class, setting a perfect tone for the day's exploration. For some of us (including this author), it was more of a proximity stretch class as we couldn't resist passing by and soaking in the refreshing energy. Our morning was designated as an "expedition morning," offering various options to suit our preferences. Some ventured into the depths to explore the vibrant underwater world through snorkeling, while others donned their diving gear for deeper immersion. Mother Nature graced us with superb conditions – crystal-clear waters, thriving coral reefs, and a kaleidoscope of colorful marine life. The stories we collected during these adventures were filled with awe-inspiring encounters, from enchanting reef fish to the mesmerizing world of brightly-colored, burrowing clams. After a very fulfilling morning, the hospitality team, with their ever-smiling faces, treated us to a delectable lunch to recharge our energy for the day. In the afternoon, our thirst for knowledge was quenched by engaging presentations from our experts. Ricky Qi, our National Geographic expert, unveiled his fascinating work in a presentation entitled, "The Stories We Tell." His insights deepened our appreciation for the wonders of the region where he works. Later, undersea specialist Chris Cook enlightened us on "Coral Reef Ecology," providing a glimpse into the intricate ecosystems we are privileged to explore throughout our journey. As the day transitioned into evening, we gathered for a sumptuous dinner, a perfect conclusion to yet another extraordinary day of exploration, learning, and camaraderie. Mentebung had shared its treasures with us, and we eagerly await tomorrow’s adventures.

Daily Expedition Reports

9/25/2023

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National Geographic Resolution

Okinawa and Zamami

In times when we need hope and encouragement, we often hear the phrase, “There is a light at the end of the tunnel.” This sentiment captures today’s journey on National Geographic Resolution as guests took to learning about the hard realities of conflict and what we can learn as we move toward reconciliation.   The Battle of Okinawa, commonly known as the Typhoon of Steel, lasted 90 days in 1945. The battle claimed 200,000 lives, which are now commemorated on the walls of the Cornerstone of Peace. Overlooking cliffs where many people took their own lives, the site is meant to remember those lost and to serve as a place for reflection and learning.   Not far from the memorial and in the hills of Naha, roughly 20 meters deep, we found the tunnels of the underground Japanese Navy Headquarters. As guests descended the steep staircase and moved down the concrete paths, it was hard to believe that around 4,000 people used this network to hide from opposing forces at the time of the battle. Some of the rooms still bear witness to the grim events that unfolded there, including the room where Vice Admiral Ota took his own life before surrendering to the US.   In the afternoon, National Geographic expert Don George shared about the pilgrimage he took with his wife and father-in-law to honor the people of Okinawa.   The afternoon was all about being in the light. After a short respite, guests followed their passions with voyages on the glass-bottom boat to view underwater life, kayaking in the coastal waters, or visiting the uninhabited island of Gahi to enjoy the scenery above water or explore what the undersea world offers. The journey below water did not disappoint with visions of giant clams, sea snakes, feather stars, sea cucumbers of all shapes and sizes, blue sea stars, and a lionfish all nestled within an astounding diversity of coral. We even spotted a titan triggerfish patrolling to let us know who was in charge. So much biodiversity viewed in just a few hours spoke to the necessity of coral reefs as important ecosystems. It is our responsibility to protect the ecosystems on land and in water, which is a keystone of any Lindblad expedition.   As the Grosvenor Teacher Fellows on this expedition, we would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for this opportunity which was made possible by the partnership between National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions. We would like to extend many thanks for the warm welcome and excitement shared with fellow guests and crew. Your passion for travel, education, and the environment is inspiring and meaningful, and we will bring this experience into our classrooms and communities.   Text and photos by Jenna Forslund and Katie Lodes, Grosvenor Teacher Fellows

Daily Expedition Reports

9/24/2023

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National Geographic Endeavour II

North Seymour Island and Rabida Island

The first melody of our journey was orchestrated on the serene and beautiful North Seymour Island, which greeted us with a dry landing and the varied harmonies of its enchanting inhabitants. The creatures here don’t just exist; they sing the songs of the island, songs etched with secrets of timeless love and whispers of the winds. It was not a universal chorus but rather a selective symphony, where the male frigatebirds were the primary composers, inflating their radiant, red pouches and filling the air with soulful calls to attract their mates.   Each call was a vibrant note in the air, echoing the unspoken tales of the island. The blue-footed boobies, the graceful dancers of the island, were harmonizing with their symphony, their feet—a brilliant reflection of the boundless blue sky—whistling to the females soaring above. This was not merely witnessing; it was like being a part of a delicate courtship dance, where every call, every flutter, every dance step was a clandestine expression of love and attraction.   The land iguanas were the silent spectators to this musical. Their distinct yellow bodies basked in the warmth of the rocks, seemingly aloof from the harmonic spectacle unfolding around them. Each sunray absorbed by them seemed to whisper another secret of the island, another tale of its timeless beauty.   The sea lions, playful spirits, rested beside the rocks, their silhouettes perfectly etched against the rugged beauty of the islands. Their silent presence was a gentle reminder of the playful essence of nature, of the innocent joys that reside in the simple moments.   The rhythm to this island symphony was provided by the click-clack of the swallow-tailed gulls. Each sound was a beacon, guiding their partners through the sea of creatures, a rhythmic whisper in the musical air, adding another layer to the intricate symphony of North Seymour.   The next chapter of our expedition unfolded on the mesmerizing Rabida Island, where we were welcomed by the unique red sands with a wet landing. The oxidation of the sands painted the island in distinctive shades, creating a stunning tapestry against the pristine azure waters and opening up a spectacle of nature’s vivid palette.   Our snorkeling adventure off the beach was like plunging into a living, breathing canvas of colors, where schools of tropical fish darted around, playing games of hide and seek among the rocks, and sea lions displayed their acrobatic grace in the water, reminding us of the boundless joy residing in nature’s heart.   After the aquatic dance with nature, we retreated to National Geographic Endeavour II only to be lured again by the beckoning of a hidden lagoon, a sanctuary revealing the ethereal elegance of pink and white flamingos. Observing them in their realm, existing in perfect harmony, was like witnessing the exquisite balance and grace of life. It was a dance of shadows and lights, a melody of colors and sounds, painting the silent tales of the islands.   As we made our journey back, the shores were painted with the sight of sea lions returning from their expeditions and females nurturing their young, a poignant spectacle in the raw beauty of the islands. Every sight, every sound was a whisper from the islands, a secret note in the symphony of North Seymour and Rabida, etching the timeless tales of nature in our hearts.