The anchor came up well before sunrise this morning and we were on our way out of Doubtful Sound as the light came up on the dark forested walls. Cruising south, we made our way through Acheron Passage and into Dusky Sound where we turned west toward the many small islands that fill the entrance from the Tasman Sea. The weather today was much more typical of Fiordland than what we had experienced in Milford Sound the previous day, with strong winds and heavy rain coming and going through the afternoon. Nonetheless, we had a great time in the Zodiacs, exploring the dramatic cliffs and gorgeous rainforest along the shores.
12/21/2024
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National Geographic Orion
Great Barrier Island, New Zealand
Due North of Auckland, New Zealand lies a secluded archipelago known as the Bay of Islands. National Geographic Orion motored within this paradisical labyrinth to reach Great Barrier Island. A dedicated group of conservationists have been fighting a winning battle against invasive mammals for the last several decades. Today, our National Geographic-Lindblad explorers were the beneficiaries of this inspirational project. Awaiting our arrival on the docks was the highly endangered New Zealand brown teal. As if to thank the conservationists for his survival, the precious feathered wonder posed for photographs in the morning sun. As we meandered through floral gardens, we were serenaded by the New Zealand tui as they hopped from branch to branch in search of juicy nectar. After reaching the island’s summit, we were greeted by a Maori conservationist who explained the importance of the forest to his people. We eased our way through a canopy of ancient tree ferns to the prize of the forest, a giant kauri tree. It stood defiantly among the ferns as a testament to the island’s ecological recovery. A swaying canopy bridge allowed each participant to walk within touching distance of this marvel of the New Zealand forest.
