This week's photos from the field included antics from sea lions in the Galápagos Islands, stunning panoramas on both coasts of Canada, and a beautiful view of Sea Cloud's riggings as she sails for the Croatian coast.
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This week, our field staff sent back a number of beautiful wildlife shots such as bears in Alaska, birds in Galápagos, and musk oxen and arctic hares in the Canadian Arctic.
Sailing the Ionian Sea from Otranto to Sicily is a journey through some of the most beautiful waters in the Mediterranean. Departing from the historic port of Otranto, we followed a route rich with history and natural beauty. As one leaves the coastline of Puglia behind, the azure expanse of the Ionian Sea opens up, offering a sense of freedom and adventure. The winds can be gentle or brisk, making for exhilarating moments on deck as the ship glides toward the southern tip of Italy. The sea’s vibrant hues, from deep blue to turquoise, created a mesmerizing backdrop. As Sicily came into view, the looming presence of Mount Etna offered a dramatic final approach. The journey was a perfect balance of serene sailing, cultural immersion, and awe-inspiring views—a voyage that connects one to both the sea and centuries of Mediterranean history.
We spent our first day ashore exploring the colorful region of Apulia, traveling first to the city of Lecce, famed for its Baroque architecture. The over-the-top decoration of the buildings of Lecce is made possible by the region’s easy-to-carve, honey-colored limestone. After an introductory walking tour, we spent our free time exploring the city’s sights, shopping, or sampling what is perhaps Italy’s best gelato. We then returned to the port for a pleasant lunch on Sea Cloud ’s lido deck. Venturing back ashore in the afternoon, we explored the picturesque city of Otranto and its rich history. Our tour included a visit to the Otranto Cathedral, a fascinating church financed by Count Roger of Sicily. The interior of the church features a spectacular mosaic floor dating to the 1100s depicting Biblical, historical, and legendary figures, from Adam and Eve to King Arthur of England. A corner of the church also holds the skeletal remains of some of the recently canonized 800 martyrs of Otranto killed during an Ottoman assault on the city in 1480. Back aboard Sea Cloud, we swapped stories from our eventful day while enjoying a buffet dinner with grilled prawns, local sausages, and a succulent roast pig.
Our morning aboard National Geographic Sea Bird began slowly, which was a welcomed chance to relax after yesterday’s adventures of wine and history in Walla Walla, Washington. Breakfast was followed by a presentation on the last 1,000 miles of the Oregon Trail, and guests also had the chance to indulge in a massage or facial from our fabulous Wellness Specialist Allison Dickey. In the afternoon, guests enjoyed a wonderful Zodiac cruise up the Palouse River, witnessing beaver dams, belted kingfishers, and the incredible columnar basalt formations along the riverfront. Guests also had the incredible experience of driving through a sagebrush steppe ecosystem towards a lookout of Palouse Falls. The evening was rounded out with a delicious dinner followed by a wine tasting and presentation by our onboard wine specialist, Kristine Bono.
Today we are visiting Santiago Island, known to be the place where Charles Darwin spent the majority of his time in the Galápagos Islands in 1835 aboard the HMS Beagle collecting data. Also, this place was frequently visited by whalers as it was used as a base for whaling and taking advantage of its resources. We spent an incredible morning kayaking and snorkeling in Buccaneer Cove. Later in the day, we moved to Puerto Egas where we enjoyed a shore walk with picturesque views of the Galapagos Islands and unique animals.