We awoke to calm waters as we cruised into Victoria this morning with the sun shining over the snowcapped Olympic Mountains. We had an activity-packed day getting to know the fun, small city of Victoria. Some of us enjoyed historic walking tours and visiting the Royal British Columbia Museum, while others toured the secret gardens and biked around the city. In the evening, we enjoyed a cocktail reception at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, which had exhibits celebrating the symbiosis of trees and fungal networks and showcased art from female Indigenous leaders of the area. It was a full, fun day of sun to start off our time on the British Columbia leg of the trip.
5/11/2024
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National Geographic Quest
Calvert Island
The Hakai Research Institute is a former fishing lodge that was converted to an ecological observatory in 2009. Nestled in beautiful coastal British Columbia, it is surrounded by pristine old-growth forest, white sand beaches, and tidal inlets. A gem of the Pacific Northwest, the Institute invited Lindblad Expeditions and our guests to visit and explore the remarkable ecology of her mountains and shores. National Geographic Quest made her maiden landing at the Institute today, and it was an incredible day. Guests were able to choose from a variety of casual, moderate, and aerobic hikes, traversing through temperate forest, muskeg, beaches, and tide pools along the way. For those interested in marine exploration, Zodiac cruises probed the glacially-carved edges of the island. All were then invited to explore the grounds of the Institute and talk with the directors, who were happy to share their passions and history with us.