The morning’s wake-up call was “Welcome to Glacier Bay National Park. Honestly, it’s somewhere out there in the fog.” We woke to thick fog and zero visibility that quickly turned into a perfect day in the park. A national park ranger and Tlingit cultural interpreter joined us in Bartlett Cove, and we traveled together to Margerie Glacier. Along the way, we encountered some of the usual characters—sea otters, sea lions, humpback whales, mountain goats, and a grizzly bear along the way. The weather was beautiful and the Fairweather Range—including Mt. Fairweather herself—was clear. On our way south, we were treated to the very rare experience of watching a pod of four transient killer whales kill two sea lions in front of the ship. Later we disembarked in Bartlett Cove and the photo team set up a light-painting tutorial on a humpback whale skeleton. In the evening, the aurora borealis lit up the skies as our shutters clicked. You could not script a better day in Glacier Bay.
9/18/2023
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National Geographic Sea Bird
Desolation Sound Marine Park, British Columbia, Canada
After a comfortable evening sail through Johnstone Strait, we arrived in Tenedos Bay within the Desolation Sound Marine Park just prior to sunrise. The morning views were spectacular with wispy bands of mist on the tree-covered mountains, clear skies, and a hint of orange in the sky reflecting off the glassy waters as the sun rose. Many guests enjoyed the early morning views from all decks as oystercatchers and belted kingfishers sounded off with the rising sun. Conditions couldn’t have been more perfect for kayaking and standup paddleboarding in the morning. The calm waters made for a beautifully peaceful yet aerobic paddle as we explored around a small island within Tenedos Bay. Amongst the red cedars and the Douglas firs, the sunlight highlighted the red bark of the Pacific madrones, locally known here as arbutus trees. These trees are becoming much more prevalent as we journey southward on this, “Remarkable Journey: Alaska, British Columbia, and Haida Gwaii. Prior to lunch, the fun continued for both participants and spectators alike during our Polar Plunge! The plunge wear was varied and included a pink Power Ranger suit and a Gumby suit worn by Second Mate Jenna. It was so much fun with laughter and smiles all around, and it made for some fun lunchtime conversations. For the afternoon, we opted to remain anchored at this beautiful place and took scenic Zodiac cruises to explore the area more. Harbor seals, kingfishers, and many oysters were among the nature we spotted. Today was a fantastic final full day on board National Geographic Sea Bird . Experiences and memories that will last have been made during our voyage. Tomorrow morning, we disembark in Vancouver.