In this short video, Unplastify co-founder Agustina Besada shares more about her ongoing mission to inspire teens to “unplastify” their lives and their local communities.
This week's photos from the field included spectacular images of lava flows on La Cumbre, an active volcano on Fernandina Island in the Galápagos Islands.
Guests aboard National Geographic Venture witnessed a rocket launch, while National Geographic Explorer explored South Africa and National Geographic Sea Bird cruised the Columbia River.
The drizzling rain of the early morning cleared off for the start of our Zodiac tours through the dazzling Inian Islands. The Islands are incredibly special due to their geographic location. As the northernmost opening to the Inside Passage, tons of billions of gallons of water funnel in from the Pacific Ocean and cause an oceanic phenomenon called upwelling, where cold, nutrient dense water rises to the surface. Marine animals flock to these waters for the availability of food and resources. We were able to view sea otters, sea lions, and many bird species. The Zodiac tours had some of the most amazing views of the coastal waters, spruce covered islands, and wildlife. We ended the morning with a visit to the Tidelines Institute, a non-profit educational institute founded by Lindblad Naturalist and PhD in climate science, Zach Brown. The afternoon was filled with presentations, briefings, and our guest slideshow to end the evening during our transit up to Sitka. It was a fantastic ending to a great trip.
Today, National Geographic Explorer docked in Lisbon, presenting our explorers with a diverse array of captivating destinations: Belem, Sintra, Alfama, and the Cathedral. Some adventurers embraced independent exploration, curating their own unique experiences. Among the standout options was a fleet of tuk tuks, offering a fun and innovative way to traverse the city. Our itinerary included a visit to Lisbon Cathedral and several viewpoints that bestowed upon us breathtaking panoramas of the cityscape. As we bid Lisbon farewell, the soul-stirring melodies of traditional Fado music, performed by Francisco Moreira, serenaded us, infusing our day with the enchanting essence of local culture. The experience was deeply enriching, immersed in Lisbon's storied heritage and cherished traditions. From the bustling streets of Alfama to the grandeur of Lisbon Cathedral, each moment offered a glimpse into the city's vibrant tapestry of history and charm.
The morning onboard National Geographic Orion was filled with interesting presentations from Naturalist Heather and Certified Photo Instructor Mike Nolan. Then we made our way to the incredible home of the Asmat people. The afternoon was truly an incredible experience. Once we were cleared into the beautiful country of Indonesia, we boarded our trusty Zodiacs and made our way to the Asmat village. Waiting to welcome us were their strongest warriors at the mouth of the river. It was a very special day.
What a day we have had here in Icy Strait. Even before breakfast, we had already seen killer whales and humpbacks, as well as two bears onshore. After breakfast we embarked on Zodiacs to cruise to the Inian Islands where we saw sea lions, otters, eagles, and another humpback. In the afternoon we made our way to Port Althorp where we hiked off the ship and kayaked while the undersea team explored the subtidal ecosystems of the inlet.
Today was classic southeastern Alaska. A light rain greeted us as we woke and continued until we retired to bed. But rather than being annoying, it magically transformed the jaw-dropping landscape to a higher level. Three hikes were offered: casual, moderate, and strenuous. No one stayed aboard, all donned appropriate gear and humbly walked through the majestic coastal rain forest, closely observed by stately centuries-old Sitka spruce and western hemlock, as well as a diverse assemblage of understory shrubs, mosses, lichens, and fungi. Many of us also saw the often-overlooked rough skinned newt. The afternoon consisted of cruising for wildlife through Fredericks Sound and briefly watching a single humpback whale. During the mid-afternoon, we listened to two presentations on whales. Of course, a pod of Dahl’s porpoises ‘interrupted’ one of them, but in a most welcome manner. Several swam alongside the ship, affording a great view for those watching out the lounge windows. And before cocktails and recap, we encountered a solitary humpback that was actively diving and showing its distinctive fluke. After dinner, we participated in a trivia contest with subjects ranging from Alaskan history, natural history, ship characteristics, and the staff. It was a lively way to end the day.