From a spectacular sunrise over Antarctic ice to a rare "green flash" sighting in California's Channel Islands National Park, the skies were especially beautiful this week.
National Geographic Orion arrived in the Port of Gisborne, or “Gizzy” as the locals call it, for a wonderful day exploring the northeast region of Aotearoa New Zealand. Guests explored the city by bike and visited the Gisborne Arboretum, wineries, and a sheep station. The family who owns and operates the sheep station showed visitors the process of sheering, explained how they use the land sustainably, and Matt, who runs the farm with his father, demonstrated how to herd the sheep with his dogs. Matt has six herding dogs that he has developed unique whistles for - telling each dog to herd to the left, right, front, or back – collectively working to move hundreds of sheep from paddock to paddock. Our travels through Gisborne were truly unique and gave guests a glimpse into daily life in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Today, we ventured to the Te Puia Carving School in Rotorua from our ship docked in Tauranga. The journey was scenic and enjoyable. Guests were captivated by the stunning landscapes along the route and eagerly anticipated the cultural immersion ahead. Upon arrival at Te Puia, we were warmly welcomed and treated to a rich exploration of Māori art and crafts. The skilled carvers at the school showcased their intricate work, providing fascinating insights into the history and techniques behind their skills. Guests were highly engaged, asking questions and admiring the dedication and artistry involved. Lunch was another highlight here, offering a delicious taste of local flavors and a chance to reflect on the experience. The combination of learning, cultural appreciation, and culinary delights made the day truly memorable. Guests returned to National Geographic Orion inspired and delighted by the rich Māori cultural experience, which has set up a good foundation as we travel south through Aotearoa New Zealand.
Today was a wildlife fiesta. Along our forest walks in Curu we saw scarlet macaws (Ara macao), greater, white-lined bats (Saccopteryx bilineata), Central American agoutis (Dasyprocta punctata), white-faced capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus), howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata), and banded owl butterflies (Caligo atreus). Curu is a multi-use sustainability development project that prioritizes forest protection, sustainable agriculture, and wildlife conservation. Clouds broke in the afternoon for a lovely beach excursion to Isla Tortuga where guests swam, drank rum coconuts, and observed charismatic collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu). It was difficult to leave the beach, but we had the world premiere of our Guest Slideshow to enjoy, prepared by our magnificent photo instructor, José Calvo. This week we were lucky enough to experience the tail-end of rainy season here in Costa Rica, a climactic rhythm that defines the beautiful biodiversity that drew us here to begin with. Thank you, rain, for all you make possible.
In the morning, we visited North Seymour Island where we enjoyed an unforgettable wildlife encounter. During our walk, we observed numerous great and magnificent frigatebirds nesting in the trees and shrubs, while blue-footed boobies nested on the ground. Along the trail, land iguanas roamed freely while feeding on cacti, completely unbothered by our presence and allowing our guests to observe them up close—a truly memorable experience. In the afternoon, we arrived at Rábida Island. From a distance, the island’s striking red color was visible, a result of the iron in the lava oxidized by the salty water. At Rábida, we offered snorkeling from the beach. Playful sea lions swam close to us, almost inviting us to join their games, and in deeper waters, colorful fish captivated our guests. After snorkeling, we returned on board and later headed back to the beach at 5 PM. Just a few steps from the landing site, we encountered many flamingos walking gracefully near us in a lagoon that has been their habitat for years. It was fascinating to watch them feed on small crustaceans while listening to their distinctive calls. Just before sunset, we returned to National Geographic Endeavour II feeling a little tired but thrilled after experiencing such a magnificent day in the Galápagos Islands.
This morning, we entered the Weddell Sea after exploring the western side of the peninsula for the past few days. The icy scenery was enjoyed by all. As we ship-cruised in the morning, the expedition staff provided us with some insightful presentations on glaciers and marine mammal acoustics. The hotel department then surprised us all with a BBQ feast for lunch and some delicious donuts for dessert. The afternoon activities included a landing at Brown Bluff where we enjoyed observing the Adelie penguin colony. We then returned to National Geographic Resolution and began sailing deeper south into the Weddell Sea.
