Daily Expedition Reports
23 Jan 2019

Detaille Island, Antarctic Peninsula, 1/23/2019, National Geographic Explorer

Aboard the National Geographic Explorer
Antarctica

Adventure knows no bounds. Our ship has been exploring south of the Antarctic Circle for the past 48 hours. After awakening to a slice of blue sky and icebergs large enough to alter our course, our expedition headed to the historic Detaille Island. On shore, guests explored an abandoned hut filled with scientific remnants and other trinkets of everyday life in Antarctica. In the afternoon, we cruised through the calm, ice-filled water before stopping for a most necessary polar plunge. It’s difficult to understand just how far south we’ve gone and how remote the land is. There’s just a feeling inside that tells you that you’ve been to a special place.

Article by

Paul North, Undersea Specialist

Paul North is the founder of the educational nonprofit Meet the Ocean and host of its online podcast. As a polar diver with Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic, he tours the remote underwater landscapes of Antarctica and other sub-zero destinati...

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Almost home. Land is in sight as we complete our crossing of the Drake Passage and draw within view of Cape Horn. As sunrise begins to illuminate the clouds, we see the blinking light of the Cabo de Hornos lighthouse. Expedition leader Lucho tells us about the poignant albatross sculpture dedicated to lost mariners and reads us the associated poem in Spanish and English. We are sailing in sheltered waters now, and the sea has reached the balmy temperature of more than 7° C. The seabirds we have learned to recognize in the open ocean–albatrosses, petrels, and prions–are now joined by others, such as imperial shags from Patagonia. Fur seals are once again frolicking near the ship. With formalities complete, there is time for a last series of presentations from our expedition staff, including: a lively account of the world-defining voyage of Ferdinand Magellan by naturalist Madalena Patacho, intriguing ‘Behind the Scenes’ insights into the life of an undersea specialist from Brett Garner, and more about the famous Endurance expedition under the leadership of Sir Ernest Shackleton. After making time for some excellent afternoon Swedish pancakes, we sailed the remaining stretch along the Beagle Channel and came at last to port in Ushuaia. We gathered in the lounge for farewell cocktails with our captain. We celebrated the wonders we experienced over the last ten days, the good friends we traveled with and with whom we shared our discovery of the Antarctic, and the glorious land of Antarctica–the seascapes, history, and wildlife. Where will we travel next? Photo caption: An avian harbinger of the coming day. Photo by Steve Backus

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Detaille Island, Antarctic Peninsula, 1/23/2019, National Geographic Explorer

Paul North, Undersea Specialist

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Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent

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