This morning National Geographic Resolution entered the Weddell Sea after transiting the Drake Passage yesterday. We arrived at Devil Island just after lunch. This is it, our first day ashore on the white continent. Devil Island offered us two different excursions: a Zodiac boat ride around the island and through the ice, or a steep hike up to the top for a beautiful view of the horizon. There was an Adelie penguin colony on the island, and we were excited to get our first glimpses of these “tuxedo”-wearing birds. It was a great start to our epic expedition. And to finish off the evening, we witnessed an incredible sunset as the sun slowly dipped behind the ice.
3/5/2025
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National Geographic Explorer
Pia and Garibaldi Fjords, Patagonia
It was our first day in Patagonia. It was a pleasure to be back among some green scenery, although there was some residual sadness of having left behind Antarctica. This morning, we toured the Ventisquero Romanche and Pia Glaciers, which flow into Pia Fjord. A peaceful Zodiac ride brought us close to the front of the glaciers where we could watch calving in action, creating the icy wonderland that we were floating upon. Dressed for the weather, we enjoyed the light drizzle which filled the waterfalls and created misty layers against the dramatic metamorphic rock-scapes. This afternoon, our captain skillfully pirouetted us in front of the actively calving Garibaldi Glacier. It was hard to know which direction to look for the most activity. Then the kayaks and Zodiacs were launched for an exploration of the fjord at water level. Playful sea lions provided the soundtrack as the youngsters gazed at the floating curiosities that had appeared in their playground.
