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.
There’s a specific window in springtime along the southern border of Washington State when green is no longer simply a color, it’s an entire species; shades so multifaceted that it feels like an injustice to lump them all under the same quick name. As National Geographic Sea Bird embarked on her final culinary river trip of the season, we ventured into Hells Canyon on just the right bluebird, cotton ball-cloud sky day, that we could have painted an entire landscape using variations of green. Throw in the bright yellow blossoms of arrow leaf balsamroot, brilliantly fuchsia Snake River phlox, a cream-bodied bighorn sheep taking advantage of the fresh spring shoots, and the silky, changing colors of the Snake River, and our eyes were feasting just as much as we were.
With an invigorating stretching session on the top deck, our day started. We went on a cultural excursion, visiting El Trapiche Farm to see how they process organic products. In the afternoon, we finished our lovely day by seeing giant tortoises in their natural habitat. It was amazing to walk among them as they roamed freely.
This morning National Geographic Endeavour II welcomed the dawn upon arriving at Fernandina Island, the youngest volcano of the archipelago and still in formation. We took a walk along the shoreline of Espinosa Point to see one of the largest colonies of marine iguanas in the Galapagos. We also encountered a couple of Galapagos snakes, flightless cormorants, sea lions and a Galapagos hawk. Afterwards, we had an amazing time snorkeling. We saw sea turtles as well as marine iguanas nibbling on the rocky bottom of the sea to feed on the algae. Then, our captain repositioned the ship at the southeastern side of the island where we enjoyed the impressive spectacle of incandescent lava reaching the ocean. Without a doubt, this is one of the highlights of our Galapagos experience this week!
We arrived early to the island of Tenerife to explore Anaga Rural Park, walking through the subtropical forest on a lovely morning by ourselves. The prehistoric laurel forests still survive in some areas of the Canaries and today we had a chance to enjoy it, as well as the great views of the island. After our hike we walked through La Laguna, a beautiful, colorful, and bursting with life UNESCO city. The mixture of the architecture, the culture, and even the famous native dragon trees were outstanding. Some of us went on a more historical journey, visiting the Pyramids of Guimar and Santa Cruz. We enjoyed an indulgent traditional Canary lunch with a variety of tapas including local cheeses, croquettes, mojo, and great salads. It was a beautiful day exploring the rich culture, history, and nature of Tenerife.
As this journey begins, National Geographic Endeavour II awakens at North Seymour Island, almost dead center in the archipelago. This low-lying, uplifted volcanic island does not appear to hold much, however it is brimming with wildlife as we land. Walking among great and magnificent frigatebirds, with males trying to attract mates, we encounter Galapagos land iguanas highly camouflaged against the rocky background with endemic lava lizards fleeting about. The bright cerulean color of the blue-footed boobies stands out as we explore this land before time. The afternoon brings us to Rabida Island and its incredible contrast with its deep red, oxidized volcanic landscape, the only such island in the Galapagos. Exploration along the coast with kayaking or snorkeling, we encounter the ocean busy with wildlife, including Galapagos sea lions, whitetip reef sharks, and colorful reef fish. A sunset walk along the red sand beach allows us to get close to the sea lions as the sun dips below the horizon.