Exploring the British Columbian Archipelago’s Most Remote Sacred Site By Marc Cappelletti I am walking in the footsteps of chiefs and carvers, warriors and weavers, shamans and slaves; people as connected to the land as the very trees from which they once made their homes. The ground is soft. It is sacred. And it lies at the edge of the world—Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. We are at the ancient village of SGang Gwaay Llnagaay, formerly known as Nan sdins or Ninstints, on the eastern edge of SGang Gwaay (Anthony Island).
When we, as Canadians, talk about our whole country, we say “from coast to coast to coast.” The three coasts feel very different underfoot. In the west, deep moss makes a trail that feels like walking over sofa cushions; in the east, long grasses swish and slap against your boots; and up north rocks and rivulets form tiled patterns over the permafrost. It was the west coast that convinced me to start working at sea.
Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park is one of the few places where you can walk on the Earth’s mantle and also cruise glacially carved freshwater fjords.
In this episode of Expedition Spotlight, join Cultural Specialist Susan Flanagan as she reveals what discoveries are in store on our Canadian Maritimes and Newfoundland expedition.
This morning, we cruised through spectacular scenery of mountains and trees shrouded in clouds as we made our way up the Columbia River. Before lunch we went through the first lock of our trip at Bonneville Dam. After a delicious midday meal, we left the ship behind for adventures ashore. We visited the 620-foot-tall Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon. After that we split into groups, with some choosing to visit Bonneville Fish Hatchery and others opting for a hike at Beacon Rock. We finished our time ashore at the Columbia Gorge Museum where we were treated to a wine tasting from Syncline Winery and delicious appetizers from Field and Vine. We returned to National Geographic Sea Bird for a well-deserved dinner after another wonderful day in the Pacific Northwest.
Today in Cispata Bay, we eagerly launched a thrilling panga excursion into lush mangroves, culminating in the memorable release of a juvenile American crocodile into protected waters. Onshore, a vibrant local dance performance dazzled our group. By the afternoon, we reached Sanguare Nature Reserve for invigorating hikes and serene kayaking. The day ended with lively music and energetic dancing, truly embodying the region’s rich traditions and capping an unforgettable Colombian adventure.
Continuing with our expedition on board National Geographic Islander II , we went for an early stretching session with Wellness Specialist Gicela. It was a beautiful morning on a paradisaic beach with sea lions and stunning scenery. We found a royal tern, a vagrant bird from the Americas rarely seen in Galapagos. We also had the great surprise of finding our sister ship National Geographic Delfina (a luxury catamaran) anchored at the same location. Later, we relocated to Punta Suarez to explore this wonderful site. We had the opportunity to see many unique species, like marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and the arrival of the waved albatross. These magnificent birds migrate south in December and around April they return to Española Island to find their mates and lay their eggs. It was a great way to end a day full of adventures and wildlife surprises.
Today was simply spectacular! We explored the westernmost area of the Galapagos for the first time during this expedition and it did not disappoint. We started early in the morning with an invigorating hike to Darwin’s Lake, and beyond. Not only was the view stunning, but various land birds were observed along the trail. There were also Zodiac rides offered along this breathtaking coast, looking for wildlife such as penguins and flightless cormorants. In the afternoon, bottlenose dolphins gave us an amazing show, jumping high in the air and flapping their tails. We continued exploring by Zodiac and found a flock of blue-footed boobies and more penguins, sea lions, and marine iguanas. It was another amazing day in paradise.
Floreana Island was amazing as always. It was a very active day, with excellent kayaking, snorkeling, and superb hikes to enjoy the flora and fauna. We learned about the ecosystems on the island and the conservation efforts happening in this beautiful archipelago. We had a blast today and look forward to more adventures exploring these magical islands.
