On this day, on a little-known Russian island, in the far east of the Asiatic continent – adventure was had. Whereas many of us are here for the journey to Wrangel Island, today brought an unexpected surprise of swimming polar bears and hundreds of walruses swimming about our Zodiacs. This amidst a stunning array of seabirds dashing back and forth above our clicking cameras as they made their journey in and out from sea. The amount of wildlife was difficult to take in. It was a true sensory overload, and just when we thought we could relax and recount over cocktails, the sea exploded with whales. Humpbacks, gray whales, and most surprisingly a multitude of rare bowhead whales – a first for many of naturalists – were seen surrounding our ship.
9/15/2019
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National Geographic Orion
Crossing the Bering Sea
It is a busy day this last day of our trip. However, just like every other morning of this trip, Helga our talented receptionist and musician serenaded us with her beautiful piano playing, drawing many of us to the lounge. We enjoyed a fabulous breakfast, once again. Our rental gear was collected just prior to Alex giving the disembarkation briefing, which brings the reality of our departure into clear relief. Outside the fog came and went revealing a vast sea then not much beyond the rails of our ship. Glaucous gulls and short-tailed shearwaters continue to be our travelling companions. This crossing of the Bering Sea could not have been any more smooth. A presentation about marine invasives and Pacific Ocean currents got minds engaged with the very waters we transit. Our photo team gave individual feedback to interested photographers. Soon everyone was sharing images and selecting their chosen few for the guest slide show. After lunch we set our clocks ahead an hour. Keeping track of the day and the time has been a challenge this trip. We have two September 15ths and lose two hours before the day is done. Tracey the hotel manager returned our passports and the hotel team provided an ice cream social which delighted everyone. Corey Arnold, our National Geographic photographer, presented images of Kivalina, an Alaskan whaling village, we saw with new understanding. This remote village continues to survive with strong family ties even when whaling has been scarce. All too soon it was cocktail hour and time for our slide show. WOW, we have some spectacular photographers on this trip but even more importantly, we have some stunning memories.
