In this Expedition Spotlight, naturalist Steve Zeff reveals the vast beauty and natural wonders found in Northeast Greenland National Park, the largest national park in the world.
The highly maneuverable 48-guest National Geographic Gemini is geared for discovery in the Galápagos with expedition tools and onboard experiences that will expand your understanding of this legendary destination.
Today, National Geographic Orion embarked on a journey to the enchanting island of La Gomera, nestled in the Canary Islands. Our expedition began in the picturesque port of San Sebastián, a charming little town nestled along the hillside. From there, we ventured up to the island’s higher elevations to visit the lush laurel forest that thrives at these heights. Here, we encountered many endemic plants and bird species, a testament to the island’s unique biodiversity. It was a delight to experience the natural splendor of La Gomera on this beautiful day.
After a soggy day in Petersburg, we were thrilled to find our day in Tracy Arm flooded with sunshine instead of raindrops. Winding through the labyrinthine fjord is always an adventure this time of year, and we prepared for a veritable wall of frozen icebergs. But the fjord was surprisingly clear until the final bend, where a thick layer of pan ice stopped us in our tracks. Undeterred, we boarded our Zodiacs, crept below the steep cliffs, and prodded into the pan ice perimeter as far as we dared. Several mountain goats watched us from above, and a couple of curious harbor seals followed in our wake, patiently waiting for the pan ice to melt so they can wiggle onto the massive bergs and pup their young. A handful of humpbacks escorted us north through Stephens Passage, along with some blissfully calm water and more of that rare Alaskan sunshine. We have a long sail ahead of us this evening as we motor more than 160 miles toward mystical Glacier Bay.
Today was the last day of our voyage, and it was a great one. We spent the morning visiting the Astoria Column and the Columbia River Maritime Museum. This museum is full of amazing exhibits and offers insights into what it might be like to make your way by boat from the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean. We enjoyed some time in town and visited with California sea lions. After a great lunch, we visited the Pacific Ocean and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment. It did not disappoint! We saw amazing birdlife, including bald eagles, in addition to visiting the wonderful museum. The evening finished with a beautiful sunset.
After three long days at sea, National Geographic Orion arrived at the stunning island of La Palma, our first port of call in the Canary Islands. After a leisurely morning spent visiting the quaint town of Santa Cruz de la Palma, groups split up and went their separate ways for the afternoon. Some guests enjoyed a cultural and handicraft tour, others had an opportunity to learn about the local wine production, including a wine tasting, and the rest of us went on a hiking adventure around the new volcanic eruption from 2021. Everyone had a gorgeous time, and the evening recap was abuzz with discussion and lots of stories. The day ended with a scrumptious barbecue put on by our gracious galley. What a fabulous day!
As we entered Wrangell Narrows before breakfast and en route to Petersburg, we were met by a pod of about 8 Dahl’s porpoises. They made sure we were properly escorted, as they darted back and forth continuously in front of the bow to the absolute delight of all. Fortunately, no smartphone cameras were lost, although many were hung precariously over the side to capture photos and videos of the amazing performance. After about 25 minutes the porpoises peeled off, presumably to escort another ship entering their domain. After docking and lunch, we had a choice of five activities: two different hikes featuring muskegs, a bike ride or photo tour through town, and a walking tour of Tongass National Forest led by an Alaska Native guide. Because we are in a rainforest, much of our afternoon was under moderate-to-heavy rain, sprinkled with a dash of sun. We returned to National Geographic Sea Lion to view a blazing rainbow off the bow, and to enjoy a particularly rousing recap with a fashion show featuring guests who purchased items of clothing in Petersburg. The festivities continued with our traditional Crab Night dinner, while transiting into tomorrow.
