Javier 's passion for birds and nature began as a child exploring the Pyrenees mountains with his father. The mystery that surrounds the Lammergeier silhouette triggered his curiosity and interest towards wildlife. Javier studied biology in Spain and...
The adventures began early for everyone onboard National Geographic Endurance . Boats shuttled us ashore to Cuverville Island where we hiked through snow and penguin colonies. Divers explored below the waves, and some people even toured the area by Zodiac. In the afternoon, we made a continental landing in Neko Harbor. For some guests, this was their seventh and final continent to visit. We had the chance to investigate the ice up close and personal by kayak. The day ended with a ship cruise through the stunning Antarctic scenery.
Morning began early on National Geographic Explorer with a beautiful cruise through the LeMaire channel. As the ship passed beyond the southern end of the channel, it was surrounded by ice with spectacular views of sea ice and icebergs. The Zodiacs were soon lowered to take everyone ashore at Pleneau Island for up close encounters with penguins. In the afternoon, Zodiacs zipped around grounded icebergs as everyone was treated to a cruise through monumental ice sculptures created by glaciers. The day ended as it began, with a trip through the always awe-inspiring LeMaire channel.
During a rare, perfectly still and windless morning, we landed at Jackson Bay, in Admiralty Sound to visit the most remote section of Karukinka Natural Park, a private protected area managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society. At 330 hectares, this area protects some of the southernmost forests, grasslands and peatlands of the planet together with a vast array of wildlife including several endemic bird species and a colony of breeding elephant seals. We hiked through large stands of primeval forest to get to a waterfall that drains the overflow of some alpine glaciers still blanketing the peaks that flank the valley we walked toward.
