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Daily Expedition Reports
4/16/2024
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National Geographic Endurance
Santiago Island, Cape Verde
Land Ahoy! We have crossed the Atlantic Ocean and made landfall on Cape Verde. Our journey to explore these islands started with a thorough tour of Santiago Island. A great place to start was Cidade Velha, the old Capital of Cape Verde with its impressive fort and quaint town with cobbled streets and whitewashed homes. We started our climb into the mountainous interior where the island’s volcanic origins were very evident. With some stops at the botanical gardens and a market, we made our way along the spine of the island to Tarrafal, where a delicious lunch awaited us. Some guests decided to add a quick swim at the beach with an array of colorful fishing vessels. The history of the political struggles of the island in the early and mid-20th century was clear when we visited the concentration camp near Tarrafal. We wended our way down the eastern coast of the island enjoying the scenery, occasionally being stopped by goats meandering across the road, oblivious to the traffic! We finished with a wander through the center of the current capital, Praia, seeing the market, churches, and squares, ending by the Presidential Palace.
4/15/2024
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National Geographic Sea Bird
Astoria, Oregon
Nestled at the mouth of the Columbia River, Astoria serves as the final settlement on the river before her waters collide with the Pacific Ocean. Guests can visit the town itself with a trip to the renown Columbia River Maritime Museum and the historic Astoria Column near downtown Astoria. There’s also an option to venture across the river to the Washington side for a visit to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. The center is a well of information about the expedition and its leaders, as well as a viewpoint over the aptly named Cape Disappointment. If guests are feeling active, they can hike down to Waikiki Beach to put their toes in the Pacific Ocean and take in the fresh air. Although Astoria has much more to offer, these excursions are an excellent way to begin our journey up the mighty Columbia River.
4/15/2024
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Floreana Island
We awoke at Floreana Island, the mystery island. We went for an early walk, and it was so worth going there early! We saw a couple of blue-footed boobies performing their famous mating dance, while several Galapagos sea lions were resting at the green sandy beach. After breakfast we anchored by Champion Islet where the water activities took place because this is a great snorkeling area. We saw a big school of colorful, silvery fish, playful Galapagos sea lions, spotted eagle rays, Pacific green sea turtles, and whitetip reef sharks. Our guests on board the glass-bottom boat were delighted! The afternoon brought us to Post Office Bay where kayaking was offered as well as a visit to the famous Post Office Barrel, where postcards were exchanged. It was another great day in paradise!
4/15/2024
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National Geographic Orion
Exploration of Raiatea and the Sacred Marae
Today's expedition took us to the island of Raiatea, where we had the privilege of visiting the sacred marae, a site of profound significance to the Polynesian people. As we stepped onto the island, we were immersed in a rich tapestry of history and culture that has shaped the region for centuries. Led by local expert Tua Pittman, we were welcomed to the marae with warmth and reverence. Tua shared with us the deep-rooted history of the site, recounting tales of ancient chiefs who gathered here to make pivotal decisions that influenced the destiny of Polynesia. From Raiatea to Hawaii and Easter Island, the marae served as a beacon of knowledge and wisdom, its influence extending far beyond its shores. Despite the occasional rain, our expedition leader, Alex Searle, led us through the site with unwavering enthusiasm and expertise. As he deciphered the intricate history etched into the stones, we marveled at the resilience and ingenuity of the ancient Polynesian civilization. While some of us opted to explore the marae grounds further, others embarked on a hike up the mountain behind the site. As we ascended, the panoramic views of Raiatea and the surrounding landscape took our breath away, offering a perspective that underscored the sacredness of the marae and its surroundings. At the summit, we were rewarded with a stunning vista overlooking the beach, the marae, and the sacred entrance. It was a moment of profound connection with the land and its people, a testament to the enduring legacy of Polynesian culture.
4/15/2024
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National Geographic Endurance
At Sea, En Route to Cape Verde
We had 4000 meters of deep blue water beneath us today and flat, calm winds with a lazy, languorous swell from the north. As we closed in on our next destination, the Cape Verde Archipelago, we had seen more birds in the air – yet more boobies, frigatebirds, and storm petrels. The surface of the water was at times literally alive with flying fish, skimming for yards ahead of the ship. We took to the water ourselves after lunch. Out in the middle of the open ocean, with nothing on the horizon but the haze of low clouds blurring the boundary between ocean and sky. All one haze of cerulean blue, darkening to ultramarine clarity around National Geographic Endurance . Jumping from Zodiacs into the wild blue yonder, we thrilled at the prospect of such depth beneath our bodies – ethereal in its majesty. At one with the ocean. Timeless.