One might say that the guests aboard National Geographic Venture were rather Victoria-esque this day! We arrived at the beautiful Garden City on a sumptuous fall day with soft light illuminating the storied shores of British Columbia’s capital with the Olympic Range smiling proudly in the distance. Nestled at the southern tip of grand Vancouver Island, Victoria boasts one of the world’s greatest standards of living with comfortable climes, wonderful wilderness, and less-than-soggy streets, tucked away as it is in the rain shadow of Washington’s Mount Olympus. A day of exploration ensued with interpretive walks, traditional canoe lessons, bicycle outings, a private viewing of the Robert Bateman gallery, and even a ghost tour. We were booked solid with cultural delights that left bellies and minds filled and ready for our next destination: the orca-laden coastlines of the San Juan Islands.
10/2/2024
Read
National Geographic Venture
Alert Bay
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!
