Today, we sailed by an ice floe covered in fluffy emperor chicks before the clock hit 7:00 am. We were able to get even closer via Zodiacs and cruised around observing the elusive chicks. Everyone had a chance to feel what it’s like to be a penguin during the beloved polar plunge into subfreezing water. Our hotel department put on a barbecue on the 8th deck, and we dined beneath the Antarctic sun. Guests enjoyed kayaking amongst icebergs in the afternoon, and we ended the day by finding the massive 3,000+ emperor penguin colony while back aboard National Geographic Resolution after dinner. What a day!
11/14/2024
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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.
