New Year’s Day in Antarctica! Our incredible ship, the National Geographic Endurance is steaming south down the Gerlache Strait toward Cuverville Island, the destination for this morning’s adventure. Conditions ashore for a landing were difficult, so the decision was made by our expedition leader to do a Zodiac cruise instead. The combination of many large icebergs and light falling snow, made it a wonderland for our small boats to explore! After lunch the ship approached Neko Harbor, and gently caressed the bottom very close to shore, an impressive feat by Captain Wood! All ashore for a landing on the Antarctic Peninsula itself, and then an incredible transit through the Lemaire Channel, on our way south, shortly after dinner! Happy New Year!
11/14/2024
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National Geographic Endurance
Drake Passage
Traveling south aboard National Geographic Endurance , we ride the steady rhythm of the following seas toward Antarctica. Albatrosses, prions, and petrels accompany us, their effortless flight a constant presence above the waves. These seabirds, perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions, escort the ship through one of the most remote regions on earth. In the galley, preparations continue as usual, with the occasional clatter of a spatula against a pan punctuating the ship’s daily routines. This small sound offers a sense of normalcy amidst the vast and untamed Southern Ocean. Outside, the air sharpens, and the sea begins to hint at the icy landscapes ahead. As the ship presses on, the anticipation grows. The seabirds continue to follow, a living connection to the wilderness around us. Soon, icebergs will break the horizon, and the familiar blue of the ocean will give way to the stark whites of Antarctica. Each mile south reinforces the sense of entering a world where survival is a delicate balance, and every element of life must adapt to extremes. The journey promises discovery and an encounter with one of the planet’s last frontiers.
