Friday Harbor, Washington, 10/25/2018, National Geographic Sea Bird
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Bird
Pacific Northwest
Today we awoke next to Spieden Island, en route to a very special location on San Juan Island. Friday Harbor is a small, seasonal town filled with interesting shops and several walking docks. A local harbor seal is famous and frequently is seen perusing the docks. Friday Harbor is home to The Whale Museum where we had the opportunity to learn about the wonderful wildlife that lives in the San Juans. Guests were invited to the polyculture land of Aurora Farms, where we interacted with animals and experienced life on a farm.
Born and raised on the edge of the Mojave Desert, Nick was accustomed to hot dry days, far from the ocean. Everything changed when he attended California State University Monterey Bay, a short 1.5 miles from the beaches of Central California. This is...
Eric is a native of Southern California and has been taking pictures for as long as he can remember. He made a career as a news photographer, working for local and national news agencies. As a photojournalist, Eric has documented some of the most i...
This morning, National Geographic Venture cruised north to the tip of Vancouver Island through Seymour Narrows. It was a misty morning full of birds migrating south and Pacific white-sided dolphins bow-riding the ship. It was a great start to the morning. After a delicious brunch, guests disembarked to walk along the bay to the U’mista Cultural Centre. This is the First Nation’s homeland of the ‘Namgis Nation, who welcomed us with their regalia and museum, gifted with rich history and culture. It’s always a blessing to be welcomed into the hearts and spirits of this community and to witness their dances and songs in their big house potlatch ceremonies. After leaving the dock, National Geographic Venture cruised back south and saw humpback whales off in the foggy afternoon, along with gulls and seabirds galore. Thank you for joining us on another great day in the Pacific Northwest!
A stunning sunrise split the crisp morning air as flocks of scoters cut through the mirrorlike Salish Sea surface as we parted them on our day's ad-Venture to Victoria, British Columbia. We arrived at this ancestral home of the Lekwungen people (turned historical gold-rush boomtown turned British colonial capitol) on Canada's fourth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Orange shirts, community gatherings, and half-flown flags surrounded us during our visit to this special place celebrated by its inhabitants since time immemorial, which looks to exist now with its modern history fully examined-to dispel the myths of "Canada," "British Columbia," and "Victoria" to understand their truths. May this contemplative spirit guide us forward on our voyage into the wilderness overseen by its ancestors both old and becoming. Onward!
Today we had the privilege of going to Alert Bay. Alert Bay, located on Cormorant Island off the northeastern coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, boasts a rich history rooted in the indigenous cultures of the region. Traditionally inhabited by the 'Namgis First Nation, part of the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples, Alert Bay has long served as a cultural and social hub for these indigenous communities. Totem poles, some of which are the tallest in the world, dot the landscape as silent witnesses to the intricate stories and traditions of the Kwakwaka'wakw. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the town grew as a fishing and cannery center, attracting settlers and industry. However, it also became a site of cultural conflict during the era of residential schools, institutions aimed at assimilating indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture. The U'mista Cultural Centre, established in the town in the latter half of the 20th century, now stands as a testament to the resilience and revival of Kwakwaka'wakw culture, showcasing repatriated artifacts and hosting cultural events. Lindblad guests had the opportunity to visit this site in addition to attending a Big House Ceremony. Big House ceremonies are an important part of Alert Bay culture, from weddings to deaths. While guests had a delightful ceremony, the undersea team submerged themselves under the dock for a successful dive! Here they were able to see an abundance of giant plumose anemones that covered the pier columns. They were also greeted by a delightful group of sea creatures including candied striped shrimp, basket stars, decorator crabs, and coon stripe shrimp. It was overall a very enriching visit to Alert Bay.
