Drake Passage, 2/19/2024, National Geographic Resolution
Aboard the
National Geographic Resolution
Antarctica
“To be whole is to be part; true voyage is return.” – Ursula K. Le Guin
The return voyage from the Antarctic is as essential as every other part. As we sail north towards Tierra del Fuego, we keep the company of seabirds and whales. The gentle roars and endless horizon of the ocean a perfect backdrop to reflect upon our time on the seventh continent. A trip like no other and unforgettable memories in tow, the sun sets on our last day within the borders of the Antarctic.
Born in the mountains of east Tennessee, it was easy for Steve to fall in love with the wonderful natural environment around him. What started as a childhood passion to scan the creeks and ponds for all they would reveal evolved into a studied desire...
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Today we awoke to the news of killer whales in the area, (A big thank you to the bridge team while we were resting up after the previous day’s adventures.) and we observed them transit through the Gerlache Straight. Breakfast was then announced, before what would be a final action-packed day on the peninsula. After breakfast we arrived in Paradise Harbor where the conditions allowed for kayak operations. Following on from that, we sailed a short distance around the corner to Neko Harbor where we visited a gentoo colony and enjoyed epic panoramas of the bay. It was truly a spectacular way to conclude our time in Antarctica.
What a spectacular day on the Antarctic Peninsula! Starting with a thrilling sighting of killer whales, our bridge team expertly navigated National Geographic Endurance to give us an unobstructed view of these magnificent apex predators. After an exciting start and a hearty breakfast, we set off for a two-hour Zodiac cruise in Cierva Cove, where the calm, glass-like waters perfectly reflected the stunning landscape. We spotted a leopard seal and, of course, many penguins, all while admiring the unique, sculptural icebergs that dotted the cove. Following lunch, we ventured out again, this time in kayaks. We paddled peacefully through the same serene waters, fully immersed in the beauty and silence of the environment.
In the early hours, National Geographic Resolution arrived at the mountainous island of Pourquoi Pas. First discovered by the 1908-1910 French Antarctic Expedition led by Jean-Baptiste Charcot, the island was named in honor of his expedition ship by Australian Polar Explorer John Rymill, in the 1930s. Pourquoi Pas is home to an Adélie penguin colony, and the guests watched as the birds constructed their nests for the summer. Sat between two glaciers, the island also hides many geological curiosities – on the beach are hundreds of igneous rocks broken by cryoclastic action (the extreme cold) and covered in crustose lichen species. Offshore, bright blue glacial ice floated around, often providing a handy hop-out point for penguins and seals. On a rocky outcrop, a small colony of imperial shags set up home, constructing nests from the scarce organic materials available and feeding their young hiding within. After lunch, and a chance for the guests to experience the infamous polar plunge, we set sail for northern waters again, passing through the dense sea ice that surrounds the Antarctic Peninsula’s west coast and blots out the sea water. By dinner time, we were once again in open water, heading towards tomorrow’s adventure.
