Today was an exceptional day for wildlife encounters and stunning scenery. National Geographic Venture entered Endicott Arm, a fjord full of snowcapped peaks and ice floating in the sea. We cruised on Zodiacs, maneuvering around icebergs. We enjoyed many surprises as we traveled, including a black bear foraging along the shore. We all stayed quiet while Marylou maneuvered the Zodiac as close as possible without disturbing this magnificent animal. It was sunny, and the sky was totally clear. Glassy water offered the best reflections of the ice and the mountains. Everything was peaceful and quiet as we contemplated the bear. Suddenly, Marylou turned the engine back on – she heard a blow – and we headed back to see a humpback whale swimming by the shore. It put on a show, giving us the best possible ending of a Zodiac tour that we will surely never forget.
5/8/2024
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National Geographic Quest
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
The alpenglow of the snowcapped Olympic Range wished us good morning and farewell, from the United States to the Canuck welcoming committee of Canadian goose, red and white air dancers, and the verdant capital of British Columbia: The Garden City of Victoria. Crisp, sunny, and clear weather watched over us throughout the day as we rode bikes along the seashore to the world’s tallest freestanding totem pole or strolled through downtown and the historic waterfront on interpretive and gustatory adventures. We let our eyes wander through the foliage and flora of the city’s most-famed and super-secretive gardens. The undersea team took advantage of a slack low tide to explore the world-renowned Ogden Point breakwater just a short walk from the ship. They documented perhaps the most secret garden of the city: Fields of giant plumose anemones— “Anthozoans” or “flower animals” by their phylogeny. Cocktail hour found us enjoying the expansive collection of local and traditional pieces at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria before returning to National Geographic Quest to continue our Pacific North journey. Onward!