After leaving the white cliffs of Dover behind us in last night’s sunset, we cruised west in the English Channel all night and this morning arrived in the historic port city of Portsmouth. Several options were available for our excursions today, including a very special visit to Southwick House, where the details of the D-Day invasion were planned. There was also an opportunity to visit a beautiful local wildlife reserve at Titchfield or to explore the historic docks and ships at the old naval dockyards in the center of Portsmouth’s harbor. Whichever option we chose, it was a great way to begin getting to know some of the beautiful and fascinating details of Southern England.
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.