Our first full day in Antarctica was packed with exploration. National Geographic Orion was fortunate to visit two landmark Antarctic bases. One of the earliest British bases and the only official post office on the continent, Port Lockroy, went beyond the postcard-mailing with fast-ice walks and gentoo penguin watching. United States’ Palmer Station was a tour of some of the most technologically-advanced, contemporary research stations on the continent, with a bonus Zodiac tour of the nearby glacier, the Adelie penguin colony, and elephant seal haul-out. Though the sun never set until we were all fast asleep, the twilight sunshine lasted forever and provided exceptional photographic light for hours.
11/14/2024
Read
National Geographic Endurance
Drake Passage
Traveling south aboard National Geographic Endurance , we ride the steady rhythm of the following seas toward Antarctica. Albatrosses, prions, and petrels accompany us, their effortless flight a constant presence above the waves. These seabirds, perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions, escort the ship through one of the most remote regions on earth. In the galley, preparations continue as usual, with the occasional clatter of a spatula against a pan punctuating the ship’s daily routines. This small sound offers a sense of normalcy amidst the vast and untamed Southern Ocean. Outside, the air sharpens, and the sea begins to hint at the icy landscapes ahead. As the ship presses on, the anticipation grows. The seabirds continue to follow, a living connection to the wilderness around us. Soon, icebergs will break the horizon, and the familiar blue of the ocean will give way to the stark whites of Antarctica. Each mile south reinforces the sense of entering a world where survival is a delicate balance, and every element of life must adapt to extremes. The journey promises discovery and an encounter with one of the planet’s last frontiers.
