The most beautiful day of the trip broke just opposite Catalina Island and cast a gorgeous glow onto the town of Avalon. We went ashore into the bustling harbor and made our way into town. Some chose to find their own way through the streets amid the golf carts, while others took a walk up to the botanical gardens or the historic casino. Afterwards we returned to National Geographic Venture and set sail to the other side of Catalina Island for some more wild activities. We landed at Little Harbor and set up a beach party. Some opted for guided kayaking, some sprung for a long hike. Still others enjoyed their own meanderings on the beach or margaritas served onshore by the bar team. The sun set in a glorious Southern California fashion and closed out a beautiful trip.
4/30/2024
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National Geographic Quest
Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands
High swells prevented landing on Anacapa Island this morning, so we anchored off the protected side and enjoyed extended Zodiac cruising through intermittent misty fog. We saw (and heard) many sea lions on the beaches and watched the young ones perform ‘investigative circling’ around the Zodiacs. A pair of harbor seals swam in the kelp canopy and the skies were filled with soaring pelicans and western gulls. We also learned about the giant kelp, and many sampled a piece, generally conceding that it was ‘salty bland’. During brunch, we traveled across gently rolling seas to Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island, passing through a large pod of long-beaked dolphins. Some peeled off to ride our bow wave, gracefully rolling and looking up at us while we looked down on them. Afternoon activities consisted of three varieties of hikes, each offering sightings of the endemic island scrub jay and the lovable island fox. Heavy rains during the previous winter created a ’50 Shades of Green’ scene, punctuated with colors of many different flowers. Cloudless skies added to the overall magic. After a final dinner and introduction of the hotel staff, we watched the traditional guest slideshow, reliving precious memories.