7/25/2022
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Exploring Indonesia with Renowned Anthropologist Lawrence Blair
This fall, Lawrence Blair joins us as a guest speaker on board the National Geographic Orion on the November 27 departure of Exploring Indonesia: Bali, Raja Ampat and Papua New Guinea.
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Daily Expedition Reports
4/24/2024
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National Geographic Quest
Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands
The first day of adventure around the Channel Islands National Park found National Geographic Quest exploring Anacapa Island. Inhabited and named by the Chumash people, Anyapax (or Anacapa in English) means mirage or illusion and refers to the atmospheric phenomena that occasionally distorts the appearance of the island when viewed from the mainland. Known as the Galapagos of North America, guests were able to experience Anacapa Island both by foot and by Zodiac cruising during the morning operations. Taking in sights such as endemic plants, blooming coreopsis, and California sea lions. The afternoon had us transiting over to Santa Cruz Island where some guests were able to get ashore while others enjoyed a lecture by naturalist Jim Coyer. Drinks and yummy hors d’oeuvres were plentiful during cocktail hour and recap, and the evening wrapped up with another lecture on island ecology by naturalist Kelly Morgan. It was a wonderful start to our Channel Islands adventure.
4/24/2024
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National Geographic Endeavour II
Santiago Island
Today we were taken back in time as we visited Santiago Island. Starting the morning activities at Buccaneer Cove, we enjoyed the wonderful landscape while kayaking and paddle boarding. Afterwards we had fun snorkeling. It was delightful to swim among big schools of colorful fish and whitetip reef sharks. The afternoon brought us to Puerto Egas where several of our guests went for a walk along the coast, following in Charles Darwin’s footsteps. Others enjoyed the black sandy beach and the easy snorkeling off the shore. Today there was even time for two presentations, one on human history given by Omar Adrian, and I gave the second lecture about Charles Darwin and the Voyage of the Beagle. It was such an amazing day, making memories that will last a lifetime!
4/24/2024
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National Geographic Orion
Futuna
Today's adventure whisked us away to enchanting Futuna, where tales of resilience and tradition echo through the land. Guided by experts, we journeyed back in time, tracing the footsteps of the ancient Lapita civilization. Marveling at ancient artifacts, we admired the ingenuity of past generations. Our exploration led us to the World's Last Cannibal Oven, a poignant reminder of Futuna's complex history. Amidst verdant taro plantations, we learned of the island's defiance against Tongan invasions, preserving its cultural identity. We visited the Cathedral of Poi, where locals honor Saint Pierre Chanel, whose legacy resonates across Polynesia. A cultural war dance immersed us in Futuna's vibrant spirit, brimming with tradition. We reveled in local delights, from snorkeling in pristine waters, to basking on sandy shores. As the day closed, we shared tales over tea and cocktails, cherishing our connections to Futuna's past and present.
4/24/2024
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National Geographic Endurance
En route to the Azores
As we sail towards the Azores, we come into what was traditionally whale hunting territory, chiefly by the Basques, a hardy nation within a nation who were hungry for resources. While the earliest evidence of the trade in whale blubber was in the 11th Century, it is not certain whether Basque whalers were simply harvesting blubber from whales that washed up, rather than hunting. By the end of the 12th Century, 46 ports in the north of Spain were associated with whaling across the entire country, not limited to Basque County. Carlos, an ethnographer of whaling, gave us an excellent introduction to the history of this brutal trade to prepare us for our days to come. Basque whalers, he told us, were famously used by Northern European countries to exploit the maritime resources of the northern islands in Europe and Labrador. The cultures of the islands we have visited during this trip have been incredibly diverse, and we were happy to be able to visit Ilhas Desertas for the first time; to land, dive, and conduct science.
4/23/2024
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National Geographic Islander II
North Seymour and Rabida Islands
During our first full day of exploration in the Galapagos, our morning expedition led us to the captivating North Seymour Island, followed by an afternoon adventure on Rabida Island. After an early breakfast, North Seymour welcomed us with its rugged terrain and vibrant wildlife. As we hiked the island, we encountered a seabird colony of iconic blue-footed boobies, magnificent and great frigatebirds, swallow tail gulls, and more. Giant land iguanas roamed the terrain, feeding on the arid vegetation of the island. Later, our journey continued to Rabida Island, where the landscape shifted to a stunning contrast of red sand beaches and turquoise waters. First thing in the afternoon, everyone went ashore to snorkel over a rocky reef that revealed a vibrant underwater world teeming with life, from colorful reef fish to graceful Galapagos sea lions.