Photographer Kike Calvos shares memories of being aboard National Geographic Explorer’s historic inaugural visit to this pristine wilderness off the coast of Patagonia.
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Jutting into the South Atlantic Ocean, Argentina’s Peninsula Valdés is its very own Patagonian wild. There, calm and warm waters serve as a breeding haven for the endangered southern right whale, friendly-faced southern elephant seal, and stout southern sea lion.
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Patagonia has long captivated adventurers with its remote and unspoiled tracts of wilderness Discover the five must-see places our travel experts have put at the top of the list.
Current location, coordinates, and conditions: South Pacific Ocean, 18.80422° S, 174.51449° E; mostly cloudy skies, intermittent rain, and winds out of the southeast at 20-25mph with seas at 8ft. An extra hour of sleep was in the program for today as we set our clocks back an hour last night, which welcomed the morning announcement and breakfast gathering a little later, too. Just before breakfast, a large full rainbow greeted those up early while enjoying the first sips of coffee from the decks above the bow. National Geographic Orion crossed over another 15 degrees of longitude, making yet another time change as we headed west towards the Vanuatu Islands. The day was filled with presentations from our very own field staff of Elise Lockton, Mike Desiderio, and our on-board National Geographic expert, Ricky Qi! It was a day spent relaxing around the ship, taking in our surroundings, and enjoying the legendary and hospitable attention of the National Geographic Orion crew!
This morning, we cruised into the protected and awe-inspiring waters of Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park. This protected marine park is home to immense coastal mountains, a plethora of marine life, and a number of coves for exploring. In the afternoon, we did exactly that as we poked and prodded our way through this boreal rainforest. Others cruised by Zodiac looking for wildlife along the shore and in the water, and the dive team even splashed in to observe the subtidal splendor of this area.
We have moved to the north part of Santa Cruz Island and this area is considered to have some of the nicest white sand beaches and climates of this island. We visited Cerro Dragon and had the opportunity to encounter the Galapagos land iguanas, the namesake of this hill. After the visit on land, we dedicated the rest of the day to water activities, and we encountered a variety of sea creatures during our outings. We followed this up with a circumnavigation around Daphne Major Islet to admire its geology and fauna. Wine tasting was happening at the same time, during a beautiful sunset on the observation deck. This was the best way to end this wonderful day of adventure.
Naiseuseu, on the island of Beqa, has become a favorite place for us in Fiji. It was a joy to be there again for community visits, and the meke (song and dance) at Lawaki Beach House. After a full morning, we spent the afternoon at sea en route to Vanuatu.
Today, National Geographic Venture set sail for the storied shores of Victoria, British Columbia, a city steeped in history and embraced by the wild beauty of the Pacific Northwest. As we approached the harbor, the silhouette of the Parliament Buildings emerged from the mist, casting a spell of wonder upon all who beheld them. Stepping ashore, we were greeted by the rhythmic bustle of the city, where the echoes of the past danced with the melodies of the present. From the colorful blooms of Butchart Gardens to the quaint charm of Bastion Square, every corner whispered tales of bygone days. Strolling along the Inner Harbour, we marveled at the graceful arc of the Johnson Street Bridge, a testament to Victoria's enduring spirit of innovation. The aroma of freshly baked pastries mingled with the salty tang of the sea, creating a symphony of scents that filled the air with anticipation. As the day waned and the sun dipped below the horizon, we bid farewell to Victoria, knowing that its timeless allure would linger in my heart forevermore.