New Year’s Day in Antarctica! Our incredible ship, the National Geographic Endurance is steaming south down the Gerlache Strait toward Cuverville Island, the destination for this morning’s adventure. Conditions ashore for a landing were difficult, so the decision was made by our expedition leader to do a Zodiac cruise instead. The combination of many large icebergs and light falling snow, made it a wonderland for our small boats to explore! After lunch the ship approached Neko Harbor, and gently caressed the bottom very close to shore, an impressive feat by Captain Wood! All ashore for a landing on the Antarctic Peninsula itself, and then an incredible transit through the Lemaire Channel, on our way south, shortly after dinner! Happy New Year!
2/28/2025
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National Geographic Resolution
Northbound Drake Passage, Cape Horn, and the Beagle Channel
This morning, we had a later start than usual after a late night enjoying the crew show. Our galley team gifted us with a fulfilling brunch. We then had a brilliant forum about climate change with the participation of our panel of experts onboard. Afterward, our expedition leader called us to the bow to see Cape Horn, which was only a few miles ahead. The good weather allowed us to have a smooth and fast crossing, allowing extra time to swing by Cape Horn, the most southern tip of the Americas. Over the PA system, Steven provided a very interesting description of the historical importance of this area, then Pablo read a beautiful poem, a memorial to the seaman lost at sea. We could see the monument in the distance, two metal sheets that depict an albatross in flight. During the afternoon, we enjoyed Madalena’s presentation about Women in Antarctica. This was an incredible voyage through the struggles and delays of allowing women to participate in science and logistics in Antarctica. We entered the Beagle Channel around 17:00 and we encountered black-browed albatrosses, cormorants, dolphins, and whales. On our final approach to the beautiful city of Ushuaia, we passed by Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and some of the seals that live in the Bridges Islands Archipelago.
