Today was actioned-packed, from the bright Antarctic dawn to the late Antarctic dusk. We cruised through Paradise Harbor in the morning, where we caught glimpses of icebergs bathed in the crisp sunlight of the early morning. We boarded Zodiacs for close-up views of shags. We visited the museum at Port Lockroy and the nesting gentoo penguins at Jougla Point, and this was all before cruising through the Lemaire Channel as the evening light illuminated the peaks. Watching the light transform this rugged landscape from dawn to dusk brings on a sense of joy not easily matched.
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.
