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.
As National Geographic Venture made its way close to shore in Pavlov Harbor, one of our naturalists spotted a brown bear on the beach and we were able to observe it for quite some time before breakfast. In the morning casual, moderate, and bushwacking hikes were on offer as well as a Zodiac cruise. Everyone had a chance to partake in both activities throughout the morning. After returning to the ship for a delicious lunch and choosing activities for Petersburg tomorrow, National Geographic Venture sailed down through Chatham Strait. Before recap, we made a photo stop at a beautiful waterfall. It was a perfect way to wrap up the day.
Except for a few hardy souls who were up at 04:00 for crossing the terminal moraine into Tracy Arm, most of us awoke well inside the Fords Terror Wilderness. Shortly before breakfast, we chanced upon a black bear grazing on the shore, and stopped to say “HI”, while Ann Marie started stretch class on the sun deck. As we passed Sawyer Island, we saw that the ice would not be so thick as to hamper our approach to the glacier, and by 09:00 the first of our Zodiacs were headed off in a light, May mist. We saw (and were seen by) many seals as we made our way toward the glacier’s face, and just as the cold and damp were starting to penetrate, we were greeted by the storied cocoa pirates, bearing hot cocoa with a little something extra! After lunch, we stopped for a peek at the Hole in the Wall waterfall, where Captain Paul put our bow right up against the cliffs, so we could all get an up close and personal view! The rest of the afternoon was filled with talks and wildlife viewing as we made our way toward tomorrow’s destination at Glacier Bay National Park! Photos by: Jeff Campbell, Karson Winslow, and Antonio Segura
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.