This week, our field staff sent back a number of beautiful wildlife shots such as bears in Alaska, birds in Galápagos, and musk oxen and arctic hares in the Canadian Arctic.
From a spectacular view of the Northern Lights in Alaska to the colors of Indonesia to a rainbow above Scotland, this week's photos from the field were especially vibrant.
The Sea of Japan welcomed us during our day at sea with sun and flying fish. It was finally time to catch up with some presentations about the history and geology of this region. Following, the hotel team prepared an amazing BBQ lunch on deck eight, and the expedition team secretly organized an after-lunch swim! We dropped the Zodiacs, and in the middle of nowhere we swam in the warm, blue waters of Japan. Tomorrow we will arrive in Busan, South Korea, but today we finished the day enjoying a magical sunset and a full moon in this beautiful environment.
Our day in Cirebon began with a brilliant sunrise at 0537, casting a soft glow over the northern coast of Java. Guests joined Wellness Specialist Lani on deck six for morning stretches before enjoying a casual breakfast in the Outdoor Café, savoring the warm breeze and the promise of a clear day ahead. At 0900, Birgit’s insightful presentation on “Islam in Indonesia” in the lounge deepened our understanding of the country’s rich cultural and religious fabric. Following this, Photo Instructor Fiona shared tips and techniques in her “Photo Basics” session, perfectly timed for the afternoon’s adventures ashore. We set out to explore Cirebon at around 1240, greeted by a lively welcome performance at the pier. A short drive through the vibrant streets brought us to Kacirebonan Palace, where traditional music and the colorful spectacle of the Cirebon mask dance captivated everyone. Artisans demonstrated the intricate process of batik textile creation and glass painting, showcasing the city’s renowned craftsmanship. The afternoon offered opportunities to purchase beautifully crafted souvenirs, including the striking Cirebon batik with its vivid colors and Chinese-inspired motifs. As the day drew to a close, we returned aboard by 1730, carrying with us the vibrant spirit of Cirebon and its deep cultural heritage. Sunset brought an end to another unforgettable day in Indonesia.
It was a drizzly day here at Alert Bay, but it did not dampen our spirits! A family of frolicking river otters (Lontra canadensis) on the floating dock by our ship greeted us as disembarked. At the same time, sea otters (Enhydra lutris) swam along the dock trying to interact with the river otters! The first stop of the morning was the U’mista Cultural Center. Here, our guests enjoyed a short film and then were able to tour the museum’s displays and artwork. After the U’mista tour was finished, we made our way to the “Big House” for a welcome ceremony. There were dancers of all ages, which after the welcome ceremony, danced and explained the various dances. As we made our way past Hanson Island and Orca Camp, a viewing and listening research outpost, we saw a mega pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) and a pod of five orca (Orcinus orca). One of our naturalists downloaded an orca vocalization live feed app from the research station, and we were able to hear the orcas that we were watching!
On the last full day of our expedition, National Geographic Islander II took us to San Cristobal Island. This is one of the few places where the three species of boobies can be seen in the same outing. We climbed Mount Pitt in the morning. The area is very dry and to observe all these species in their natural habitat is such a great experience for our guests. To add to this, the landscape is just exceptional. As we came back to the beach, a small group of Galapagos sea lions were there to greet us. The most heart-warming were a female and her pup that were peacefully resting on the shoreline. In the afternoon, we disembarked at Cerro Brujo for our last experience at sea during this expedition. This place is perfect for relaxing, swimming, and taking some last few photographs of sea lions, which can never be can too many! To end this voyage, we enjoyed the sunset while circumnavigating around one of the most famous landmarks on San Cristobal, Kicker Rock.
Our expedition started today with one of the most important visits of the week. We visited the Charles Darwin Station, and we learned about some of the projects that they are running these days to support the ecology, flora, and fauna of the islands. One of the most famous projects is the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center. Here is where the baby giant tortoises are born in captivity and after 5-7 years at the center, they are repatriated to their home island. With the right support, we are trying to recover the population of those species in the Galapagos Islands. Some guests decided to donate and support those projects, and in return, as a present for their donation, they chose an item like a hat, t-shirt, jacket, water bottle, or a book. We felt that it was a win-win situation.