National Geographic Sea Bird approached the city and harbor of Victoria, Canada’s capital, in the early morning hours as daylight broke over the cityscape. With its friendly and welcoming residents, Victoria’s museum, gardens, pathways, parks, and waterfronts were a treat to explore. Some of us chose to travel around by bicycle; others chose to go on foot with a guide; and still others struck out alone to view the city’s many gardens, historic alleys, local bistros, coffee shops, and boutiques. At day’s end, we explored the Robert Bateman exhibit, showcasing the artist’s ethereal collection of paintings and sketches of birds and Pacific Northwest wildlife. By the time we made our way back to National Geographic Sea Bird, the day was done. We went to bed looking forward to a new day of exploration.
10/20/2023
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National Geographic Venture
Stuart Island / Sucia Island
Today was our final full day aboard National Geographic Venture and it has been a perfect final end to an already exciting, adventurous, and fulfilling experience here in the Pacific Northwest. Throughout this trip we’ve seen so many extraordinary examples of pristine beauty in nature and today continued that trend. As we woke this morning guests were treated to one of the most vibrant sunrises possible, with the sky stretching bright pinks, oranges, and purples. Guests gathered on deck while some joined our wellness specialist, Ann Marie, on our sundeck for a stretch class with the best view available. After breakfast, we split into groups to explore Stuart Island through wooded hikes and breezy Zodiac tours. We continued our adventures this afternoon after repositioning to a nearby marine provincial park, the Sucia Island group. Here we trekked coastal hikes while also exploring on the water via Zodiac tours, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Our evening came to a close with a cocktail hour off the ship, celebrating our trip’s closure around a campfire on Sucia Island’s beach. Throughout this trip our goal each day was to be as open as possible to the world around us, immersing ourselves in the world of First Nations communities, dynamic marine environments, and iconic temperate rainforests. Our hearts are happy, our stomachs are full, and our eyes are already looking forward to more great experiences like this!