Isla Danzante, 1/23/2022, National Geographic Venture
Aboard the
National Geographic Venture
Baja California
Our first day of the voyage started with a beautiful sunrise as we approached Isla Danzante where we spent the day snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking. In 1539, the explorer Francisco Ulloa sailed by the island and allegedly saw people jumping up and down along the beach. Hmmm, perhaps they hoped to be rescued? Regardless, he named the island Isla Danzante (Dancing Island). This lovely island is part of the Mexican National Park system, Paque Nacional de Loreto.
Adrian studied biology at the national Autonomous University of Mexico. In 1991 the Wildlife Preservation Trust of Jersey, on Britain's Channel Islands, awarded Adrian with a scholarship to its prestigious 16-week training program in Captive Manageme...
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Calm winds and clear skies persisted on our second day of whale-watching. Once aboard our pangas with local boat captains, we headed out to the sandbar at Boca de Soledad. The whales seem to have started their migration north, as we could not find them inside the bay. Following our whale-watching excursion and before heading back to the ship, we navigated along one of the branch channels of Canal de Soledad to a small oyster farm. Miguel and his brother greeted us with oysters, limes, and salsa for a delicious treat. After whale-watching, we sailed south to Sand Dollar Beach, where we walked among the beautiful sand dunes of Isla Magdalena.
National Geographic Sea Lion arrived into the city of Queen Charlotte at 6:00 a.m. this morning. The sunrise made its way over the hill behind Queen Charlotte to light the harbor and surrounding waters. A fishing boat made its way out of the harbor and passed with its reflection along the still morning waters. Slowly, everyone prepared for our morning destination at the Haida Heritage Center. Our group was divided into two smaller groups, and half of us went outside to view the totem poles. Each pole represented a specific Haida community and the collection of stories presented in Haida carvings. We came to a carving shed, where four hand-decorated Haida canoes were resting. Guests of the other group then spent their time inside half of the museum seeing one of the finest collections of totem poles, argillite carving, old and new weavings, and several new exhibitions newly opened at the Heritage Center. After our visit to this fine Haidan interpretive center, we took a short ride to the Balancing Rock, a well-known site in Haida Gwaii. A large rock sits on a tiny point where it “balances” for all to see. Gorgeous weather, not a breath of wind, new spring plants and bird song surrounded us. Finishing out our first day in Haida Gwaii, we spent our afternoon walking the Spirit Lake Trail. For two hours a variety of walks enjoyed the Haida Gwaii’s version of a coastal temperate rain forest; albeit, on a very warm, sunny day! Large western red cedar, giant western hemlock, Sitka spruce, and massive groves of red alder, along with all the new soft green leaves of early spring plants pushing their way towards the sun. Returning in the late afternoon to National Geographic Sea Lion , our ship departed immediately, heading south toward tomorrow’s destination. On the way, a California grey whale decided to surface with its heart shaped blow, making our third whale species sighted for this trip! Slowly in the late light of the day we continued our voyage to explore our next destination, traveling in the ancestral territory of the Haida people.
