At Sea: Tasman Bay, New Zealand, 1/5/2023, National Geographic Orion
Aboard the
National Geographic Orion
Australia and New Zealand
Onboard National Geographic Orion we awoke again in the sheltered Tasman Bay (Te Tai-o-Aorere), that was originally known in English as Blind Bay. Feeling grateful for calm sheltered waters from the nearby passing storms, we soon hauled up the anchor and continued around the coast and eventually back on our course heading south towards our destinations on the South Island of New Zealand. By the afternoon we had the swell and the wind following us on the stern providing us with a comfortable cruise.
The day at sea passed very quickly with plenty to absorb from our expedition team providing a range of intriguing presentations and evening recaps. National Geographic Orion’s outstanding hospitality team kept our spirits high and our appetites quenched! With busy days yet ahead of us on our journey, today was a day for relaxation and contemplation.
Erin Katie is a biologist from the Northern Territory Australia. Having grown up in remote parts of the country such as the Kimberley and Central Australia where she developed a curiosity for landscapes, ecology and particularly the wildlife.
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As the captain of trusty National Geographic Orion continued onward in the itinerary, we said a bittersweet goodbye to the Australian territorial waters surrounding Macquarie Island. As the amazing, remote island landscape drifted away in our rearview, a new day dawned for our adventure. Guests and staff took the leisurely morning at sea to enjoy the open ocean. We were gently rocked into a state of relaxation as the swell pushed our beloved ship side to side. As our morning progressed, guests were treated to a rousing presentation on the enthralling life of naturalist Jayden O’Neill. His knowledge of the practices of a Patagonia toothfish vessel was interspersed with anecdotes and tales from his 124 days at sea, because 125 days would have just been too many! After a delicious lunch, each guest and staff member performed another “biosecurity blitz” to ensure that any small seeds or sediment that may have tried to escape Macquarie Island would not be transferred to the next incredibly unique and diverse environment. Undersea specialist Kelly Morgan presented about Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) during our afternoon tea, giving us a lesson in governmental protection of the waters surrounding New Zealand and the Sub-Antarctic Islands. Just when we thought the day was coming to a close as everyone finished dessert, the keen eyes of our Expedition Leader and crew members on the bridge spotted a spout from a whale off in the distance. Slowing down and adeptly maneuvering the ship to offer passengers a great view, the team on the bridge stood side by side with guests in awe of the sight of two fin whales. As the sun started to go down over the horizon, guests wielded binoculars, photography equipment, wide eyes, and giant smiles. We were delighted by the sight of a large baleen whale surfacing and displaying its dorsal fin, a quintessential body part and a helpful identification tool! The sun set on an amazing day at sea with golden hour light beaming across the surface of the open ocean as we continued our journey to our new destination…the Auckland Islands.
We woke today excited to visit the remote, majestic destination of Macquarie Island, or “Macca,” as the local Aussies call it. As we slowly closed the distance between National Geographic Orion and Macca, our National Geographic photo expert enlightened us about how to create powerful images during his presentation entitled, “Light, Composure, Moment.” The weather forecast didn’t look promising as Macquarie loomed in the distance. Our expedition team scouted the area and landing site only to find poor weather, signifying that a landing wasn’t in the cards. We are always ready to switch gears on an expedition, and we began to cruise along the 34-kilometre stretch that is Macquarie Island. We appreciated the rugged, remote landscape before us. During our second lap around the isle of dense megaherbs and abundant wildlife, we were gifted with a sighting of a pod of Type A orcas swimming and feeding in the nutrient-dense waters. What appeared to be several family pods swam together and put on a show for around 45 minutes. They entertained the entire ship as they swam in packs of up to 15 individuals. With the orcas eventually leaving behind our ship, it was time for recap. We were entertained as we learned about tomorrow’s activities. Afterwards, a delicious Australian barbecue was served to signify our entrance into Australian waters.
Kia Ora and welcome to Te Moana Nui A Kiwa, or the Great Ocean of Kiwa. Kiwa was the Polynesian name for this expanse of ocean long before Ferdinand Magellan named it the Pacific Ocean in 1520. Today, National Geographic Orion propelled herself through rugged waters as we slid through the “Roaring Forties” in anticipation of the “Furious Fifties” on our way to Macquarie Island to the south. We started off the day with a rock and roll yoga class led by Belinda in the lounge. This was followed by Jayden’s overview of the fishing industry in these waters. Later, Doug Gaultieri shared his presentation on the amazing penguins of New Zealand, ensuring that our guests are ready to experience some spectacular encounters with the penguin friends found in this area. After lunch, undersea specialist Kelly shared insights into marine mammals of New Zealand and the Sub-Antarctic Ocean. Lindblad Expeditions is very thorough when it comes to biosecurity. All guests gathered in the lounge for a mandatory check. In preparation for our visit to Macquarie Island, we put all outer clothing and boots through the decontamination process. The ocean was calm at sunset, allowing for a smooth ride as the setting sun warmly lit up our stern. Cheers!
