Today was an important day for many of us. Not only was it one of the first days of a brand-new and exciting year, but it was also the first full day of a wild, adventure-filled expedition on board National Geographic Endurance. The day was filled with a variety of activities and presentations to prepare guests to meet the White Continent just one day from now. Guests enjoyed lessons on identifying animal species and photographing the incredible wildlife we are about to see. We discussed the importance of these animals to not just the Southern Ocean ecosystems but worldwide. Guests couldn’t be more excited to see their first iceberg and penguin – only a few hours away!
1/19/2025
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National Geographic Resolution
The Drake Passage
As we navigated north across the Drake Passage, conditions gradually improved and blue petrels and black-browed albatrosses graced our journey as visitors. John Pailthorpe delivered a captivating retelling of Shackleton's attempted crossing of the Antarctic continent, recounting the trials faced by those rugged men who cared little for comfort yet had a penchant for taking mortal risks. Following him, National Geographic Photographer Ralph Lee Hopkins shared some of the many future exploration options available to our guests through National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. As we approached Tierra del Fuego, the seas calmed. Although the skies remained overcast, wildlife became increasingly abundant as we neared the entrance to the Beagle Channel. Captain Martin presented a fascinating overview of the construction of MV National Geographic Resolution and her impressive capabilities. As we entered the channel, we were greeted by hourglass and dusky dolphins while enjoying empanadas for teatime. Once we entered the Beagle, sailing was smooth all the way to Ushuaia.
