West Redonda Island and Roscoe Bay Marine Park, 9/20/2017, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Pacific Northwest
Sailing the Salish Sea this past week has afforded the guests and crew aboard National Geographic Quest a handful of cultural experiences and a range of forested ecosystems to explore. Our final day was spent on West Redonda Island in Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park. Explored by the Spanish in the late 1700s, West Redonda Island and its neighbor East Redonda were originally named “Isla Redonda” or “round.”
Guests aboard National Geographic Quest woke to a morning that reminded us fall has arrived. With a slight chill in the air, we disembarked to enjoy kayaking and hiking at Roscoe Bay. Stepping off the ship and hiking along Black Lake or paddling in the pristine waters of the protected bay allowed guests one final chance to experience the quiet and still of Desolation Sound.
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest and spending her first nights in a tent at the tender age of six weeks old, Annie grew up with a love for the outdoors and adventuring. Raised in Tacoma, Washington, she considers herself lucky to have grown up in a...
This morning, National Geographic Venture cruised north to the tip of Vancouver Island through Seymour Narrows. It was a misty morning full of birds migrating south and Pacific white-sided dolphins bow-riding the ship. It was a great start to the morning. After a delicious brunch, guests disembarked to walk along the bay to the U’mista Cultural Centre. This is the First Nation’s homeland of the ‘Namgis Nation, who welcomed us with their regalia and museum, gifted with rich history and culture. It’s always a blessing to be welcomed into the hearts and spirits of this community and to witness their dances and songs in their big house potlatch ceremonies. After leaving the dock, National Geographic Venture cruised back south and saw humpback whales off in the foggy afternoon, along with gulls and seabirds galore. Thank you for joining us on another great day in the Pacific Northwest!
A stunning sunrise split the crisp morning air as flocks of scoters cut through the mirrorlike Salish Sea surface as we parted them on our day's ad-Venture to Victoria, British Columbia. We arrived at this ancestral home of the Lekwungen people (turned historical gold-rush boomtown turned British colonial capitol) on Canada's fourth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Orange shirts, community gatherings, and half-flown flags surrounded us during our visit to this special place celebrated by its inhabitants since time immemorial, which looks to exist now with its modern history fully examined-to dispel the myths of "Canada," "British Columbia," and "Victoria" to understand their truths. May this contemplative spirit guide us forward on our voyage into the wilderness overseen by its ancestors both old and becoming. Onward!
Today we had the privilege of going to Alert Bay. Alert Bay, located on Cormorant Island off the northeastern coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, boasts a rich history rooted in the indigenous cultures of the region. Traditionally inhabited by the 'Namgis First Nation, part of the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples, Alert Bay has long served as a cultural and social hub for these indigenous communities. Totem poles, some of which are the tallest in the world, dot the landscape as silent witnesses to the intricate stories and traditions of the Kwakwaka'wakw. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the town grew as a fishing and cannery center, attracting settlers and industry. However, it also became a site of cultural conflict during the era of residential schools, institutions aimed at assimilating indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture. The U'mista Cultural Centre, established in the town in the latter half of the 20th century, now stands as a testament to the resilience and revival of Kwakwaka'wakw culture, showcasing repatriated artifacts and hosting cultural events. Lindblad guests had the opportunity to visit this site in addition to attending a Big House Ceremony. Big House ceremonies are an important part of Alert Bay culture, from weddings to deaths. While guests had a delightful ceremony, the undersea team submerged themselves under the dock for a successful dive! Here they were able to see an abundance of giant plumose anemones that covered the pier columns. They were also greeted by a delightful group of sea creatures including candied striped shrimp, basket stars, decorator crabs, and coon stripe shrimp. It was overall a very enriching visit to Alert Bay.
