Despite all the weather reports, we keep cheating the rain and wind. This morning, we awoke to beautiful sunshine and clear blue skies. With the sun on our side, we went ashore to one of the most beautiful islands in Shetland, Foula. We were met by local guides and set off to discover the beauty and wonders that the tiny little island has to offer. As soon as we set foot on the dock, we were welcomed by fulmars nesting on rock cliffs, seals hauled out on the water, and a close encounter with some Shetland ponies. What a pleasure to be here. After lunch and relocation of the ship, we again went ashore on the island of Mousa. Here we visited the best remaining example of an Iron Age round tower (a Broch) in the world and one of the oldest buildings in Britain. It was awe-inspiring.
5/8/2025
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National Geographic Explorer
The West Coast of Ireland
Today marked the day we entered Irish waters, and we were incredibly lucky to continue being graced with the most uncommon weather for the British and Irish Isles – calm seas and clear, sunny skies! These spectacular conditions made for a wonderful morning spent watching dolphins ride the bow of National Geographic Explorer. We enjoyed smooth sailing for our presentations, including a fantastic talk about Climate Justice and the Climate and Nature Crisis by the amazing Mary Robinson, the first female President of Ireland. After lunch, we visited the Aran Island of Inishmore where we enjoyed wonderful hospitality on the small island of less than 800 people. We admired the spectacular views from the steep sea cliffs near Dun Aengus. To round out a delightful first day exploring the coast of Ireland, we carried on cruising with calm sea conditions, the stunning cliffs of Moher on our port side, and a glowing sunset on our starboard side.
