The wind was gusting 60 knots between us and New Island when we woke up this morning, even the birds were struggling to find their way. Plans onboard National Geographic Explorer pivoted to presentations from our talented naturalists while we waited for the weather to calm down as forecasted. We were provided with gems of information, including “Introduction to Expedition Photography” and “Baleen Whales of the Southern Ocean”.
The weather played to our favor in the afternoon, allowing us to land on the beach to a welcoming cacophony of kelp geese. A short hike took us to sheer cliffs on the other side of the island where thousands of albatross and rockhopper penguins were busy mating. With albatross soaring overhead and rockhoppers hopping up from the shore, it was a wonder how close we could be to this hive of activity, with the birds paying no attention to our presence. Wildlife up close and personal is a memorable experience.
