Shetland Islands
It doesn’t matter if it is your first time to a location or you have been there ten times, some days are simply extraordinary. And today was one of those days for the guests of National Geographic Explorer.
With a little extra time for exploring (what we do best), this morning was open to discovery, and we seized the opportunity to visit Noss Nature Reserve in the Shetland Islands. The natural history staff did not remember the last time a Lindblad vessel was allowed or had the time to visit the island, we had simply been able to approach the incredible bird cliffs for a brief interlude, before moving on. Today, a group of our shipmates landed on the island, hiking the 2 miles before reaching the summit of the bird cliffs. The other contingent from the ship explored at water level, taking the Zodiacs along the shore, finding where the cliffs meet the sea. Whatever the choice, 45,000 guillemots, 16,000 ganets, (not to mention the puffins and fulmars), calling, diving, flying, creating a bird storm-cloud in the sky, made an impression — to say the least.
A trip of discovery and surprise, aided by an added feature — we are able to see what lies on the bottom of the waters surrounding the British and Irish Isles. On each expedition, an Undersea Specialist (aided by a able dive buddy) sails with the ship, diving and filming all the incredible creatures the ocean has to offer, at our specific destinations. It is not often that we look at the three dimensional world, looking not only above, but below, and what is revealed is an added treat. Sailing across the ocean’s surface, one cannot forget how important these temperate seas are for sustaining all the creatures we see in the air and on the land during the voyage. These are some of the most nutrient-rich waters in the world.
Tomorrow we will dock in Bergen, Norway where most will head to their homes, rejoining the “real world.” However, the memories and experiences we have had the last 12 days are embedded in our minds, and leave us further searching what this wondrous world has to offer.
