We spent the morning of our last full day in Antarctica at Neko Harbor in Andvord Bay. A large colony of Gentoo penguins were there to greet us, as we struggled through the thick ice near shore to find a decent landing spot. Once we had built steps and stomped out a trail in the deep snow, we were able to access several groups of the Gentoo colony. The rest of the day we made our way north through partly sunny skies, and after a polar plunge in the frigid -0.5C water, we turned towards Cape Horn and entered the rough seas of the Drake Passage.
1/19/2025
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National Geographic Resolution
The Drake Passage
As we navigated north across the Drake Passage, conditions gradually improved and blue petrels and black-browed albatrosses graced our journey as visitors. John Pailthorpe delivered a captivating retelling of Shackleton's attempted crossing of the Antarctic continent, recounting the trials faced by those rugged men who cared little for comfort yet had a penchant for taking mortal risks. Following him, National Geographic Photographer Ralph Lee Hopkins shared some of the many future exploration options available to our guests through National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. As we approached Tierra del Fuego, the seas calmed. Although the skies remained overcast, wildlife became increasingly abundant as we neared the entrance to the Beagle Channel. Captain Martin presented a fascinating overview of the construction of MV National Geographic Resolution and her impressive capabilities. As we entered the channel, we were greeted by hourglass and dusky dolphins while enjoying empanadas for teatime. Once we entered the Beagle, sailing was smooth all the way to Ushuaia.
