Victoria, British Columbia, 10/7/2024, National Geographic Venture
Aboard the
National Geographic Venture
Pacific Northwest
Today was the first full day of our voyage and our first day in Canada. We spent the whole day exploring the city of Victoria. There were many tour options led by local experts. Guests were able to choose from garden tours, foodie tours, historical walking tours, and a bike tour. Some guests also took the opportunity to explore Victoria on their own. With such a beautiful and historic city, there are no bad options.
In the evening, we went to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria for appetizers and a special look at the amazing local art.
We returned to National Geographic Venture for dinner after a full and fun day in Victoria.
Leah has been a Naturalist and Wilderness Guide for over 18 years and has a B.A degree in Parks and Recreation Management. She has worked across the U.S. from Alaska to the Caribbean and traveled throughout Asia and Western Europe. Leah has experienc...
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This morning, National Geographic Venture cruised north to the tip of Vancouver Island through Seymour Narrows. It was a misty morning full of birds migrating south and Pacific white-sided dolphins bow-riding the ship. It was a great start to the morning. After a delicious brunch, guests disembarked to walk along the bay to the U’mista Cultural Centre. This is the First Nation’s homeland of the ‘Namgis Nation, who welcomed us with their regalia and museum, gifted with rich history and culture. It’s always a blessing to be welcomed into the hearts and spirits of this community and to witness their dances and songs in their big house potlatch ceremonies. After leaving the dock, National Geographic Venture cruised back south and saw humpback whales off in the foggy afternoon, along with gulls and seabirds galore. Thank you for joining us on another great day in the Pacific Northwest!
A stunning sunrise split the crisp morning air as flocks of scoters cut through the mirrorlike Salish Sea surface as we parted them on our day's ad-Venture to Victoria, British Columbia. We arrived at this ancestral home of the Lekwungen people (turned historical gold-rush boomtown turned British colonial capitol) on Canada's fourth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Orange shirts, community gatherings, and half-flown flags surrounded us during our visit to this special place celebrated by its inhabitants since time immemorial, which looks to exist now with its modern history fully examined-to dispel the myths of "Canada," "British Columbia," and "Victoria" to understand their truths. May this contemplative spirit guide us forward on our voyage into the wilderness overseen by its ancestors both old and becoming. Onward!
Today we had the privilege of going to Alert Bay. Alert Bay, located on Cormorant Island off the northeastern coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, boasts a rich history rooted in the indigenous cultures of the region. Traditionally inhabited by the 'Namgis First Nation, part of the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples, Alert Bay has long served as a cultural and social hub for these indigenous communities. Totem poles, some of which are the tallest in the world, dot the landscape as silent witnesses to the intricate stories and traditions of the Kwakwaka'wakw. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the town grew as a fishing and cannery center, attracting settlers and industry. However, it also became a site of cultural conflict during the era of residential schools, institutions aimed at assimilating indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture. The U'mista Cultural Centre, established in the town in the latter half of the 20th century, now stands as a testament to the resilience and revival of Kwakwaka'wakw culture, showcasing repatriated artifacts and hosting cultural events. Lindblad guests had the opportunity to visit this site in addition to attending a Big House Ceremony. Big House ceremonies are an important part of Alert Bay culture, from weddings to deaths. While guests had a delightful ceremony, the undersea team submerged themselves under the dock for a successful dive! Here they were able to see an abundance of giant plumose anemones that covered the pier columns. They were also greeted by a delightful group of sea creatures including candied striped shrimp, basket stars, decorator crabs, and coon stripe shrimp. It was overall a very enriching visit to Alert Bay.
