We had another fantastic day on National Geographic Sea Lion. Our ship got the opportunity to visit Alert Bay on the unceded territory of the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations. As guests walked through the Alert Bay Ecological Reserve, undersea specialists Nick Brown and Russell Laman went diving under the pier. Some highlights included footage of giant plumose anemones and basket stars, as those that stayed warm and dry got a chance to see what thrives below the ship. Our visit to the U’mista Cultural Center was a favorite of many; it was fascinating to see the many artifacts returned to Alert Bay after being stolen by Canadian authorities in the 1920s. But the best part of the day was witnessing dances by the T’sasala Cultural Group in the Big House. Generations of families were present and dancing together after years of having to hide their cultural traditions, reminding everyone of the importance of supporting our communities and youth.
5/15/2024
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National Geographic Sea Bird
Inian Islands, AK
The drizzling rain of the early morning cleared off for the start of our Zodiac tours through the dazzling Inian Islands. The Islands are incredibly special due to their geographic location. As the northernmost opening to the Inside Passage, tons of billions of gallons of water funnel in from the Pacific Ocean and cause an oceanic phenomenon called upwelling, where cold, nutrient dense water rises to the surface. Marine animals flock to these waters for the availability of food and resources. We were able to view sea otters, sea lions, and many bird species. The Zodiac tours had some of the most amazing views of the coastal waters, spruce covered islands, and wildlife. We ended the morning with a visit to the Tidelines Institute, a non-profit educational institute founded by Lindblad Naturalist and PhD in climate science, Zach Brown. The afternoon was filled with presentations, briefings, and our guest slideshow to end the evening during our transit up to Sitka. It was a fantastic ending to a great trip.