The Drake Passage , 1/11/2024, National Geographic Resolution
Aboard the
National Geographic Resolution
Antarctica
The morning started with a little fog and wind as National Geographic Resolution cruised north through the Drake Passage. The day had a relaxed start with brunch and fun drinks served in the restaurant. Throughout the day, everyone enjoyed educational lectures and a movie about rounding Cape Horn. The sun came out as cocktail hour began, and the ship pulled alongside the dock in Ushuaia. We enjoyed one last delicious meal on our last night on the ship.
Christine is an Explorer's Club Fellow, Polar Expedition Diver, Expedition Leader and conservation photographer and videographer. She has worked as a professional diver around the world for over 18 years dedicated to ocean education, exploration and ...
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We completed a mild Drake Passage crossing today at the end of our incredible expedition to Antarctica, enjoying sightings of albatrosses, hourglass dolphins, sei whales, sea lions, penguins and seabirds on approach to South America. We enjoyed onboard presentations on a changing Antarctic Peninsula, historical perspectives on Antarctica, on assignment with our National Geographic photographer, and the results of an ice sculpture photography contest. Guests enjoyed the milder air temperatures and sightings from the decks as we approached civilization again after a week of incredible experiences among polar wildlife and icy scenery along the Antarctic Peninsula. “My heart is full,” was a memorable quote from one of our travelers after one such experience. We celebrated our voyage with the viewing of the guest slideshow, Captain Martin’s cocktail party, and a farewell dinner, as we boarded a local navigation pilot to lead National Geographic Resolution down the famous Beagle Channel into Ushuaia, Argentina, to end our remarkable expedition among penguins, whales and ice.
What an amazing last day in Antarctica! It started early, as guests were on the bridge enjoying the view as we pulled into our destination for the morning. The scenery was the highlight of our day, exploring in Zodiacs and on shore.
National Geographic Endurance arrived at the Bertholet Islands before breakfast. The seas oscillated in a light swell under overcast skies as we enjoyed our breakfast. After breakfast we prepared for exciting Zodiac trips through the numerous small islands. Although cold rain increased through the morning, we enjoyed tremendous views of gentoo penguins, a leopard seal, Antarctic terns, and skuas. The diverse and fascinating wildlife were framed by tall icy peaks of the Antarctic Peninsula and numerous intricate icebergs that formed a natural sculpture garden as we threaded our way through the ice. The islands comprise asymmetric rounded roches moutonnées indicating the flow of ice that carved the waterways during the Last Glacial Maximum. During the afternoon, National Geographic Endurance relocated to Petermann Island for excellent hiking of glacially rounded granodiorite, which represents part of the roots of the Mesozoic magmatic arc which formed above an ancient subduction zone and now forms the backbone of the Antarctic Peninsula. The evening was capped off by a wonderful dinner and a post dessert transit through the scenic Lemaire Channel.
