Braving the crossing from the Falkland Islands, the National Geographic Explorer came to the Willis Islands in the morning to witness a myriad of seabirds dipping and diving into the water to feed, including prions and grey-headed albatross. The Southern Ocean was showing its might, casting a northerly wind across the entirety of the north shore of South Georgia. Thus, much as Shackleton and his men did, we entered King Haakon Bay and came to land exactly at the site where the members of the Endurance expedition found terra firma, after their long, and impossible journey over from Elephant Island.
10/23/2024
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National Geographic Endurance
At Sea and the Beagle Channel
The last day of an expedition is always a mix of feelings. There is the rush to pack and get last minute things done, combined with a cascade of emotions from all that has been experienced during a once in a lifetime journey. The sunrise was colorful, the seas calm, and seabirds dotted the skies around National Geographic Endurance. Throughout the day there were a number of presentations and during lunch we were able to enjoy the stunning mountains of Isla de los Estados off our port side. Teatime was a superb occasion! There was an impressive choice of cheeses, crackers, vegetable sticks, and jams all paired with a selection of wines. On our port side, a rainbow appeared over the gray seas. During dinner and throughout the evening, we sailed along the Beagle Channel and past the Bay of Good Success. It was from here that a 23-year-old man wrote in a letter home, “I have decided to dedicate myself to natural history and hope to make some small contribution to it.” His name was Charles Darwin.