National Geographic Linblad Expedition

Day 8: Ship Life!

2008-10-13T16:44:00.001-07:00

Hello from the SHIP! I wish that I had more available time to correspond with the activities of this adventure. However my duties on board as well as my obligation as a Naturalist for the guests sort of preclude me from being 'on line" much of the time. Be assured I am taking notes and have my note book with me always. I will chronicle the voyage when I return in an effort to narrate the full trip. At present it is more advantageous and relevant to actively be part of the adventure instead of electronically document it... but I intend to do so upon my return. For instance I must hurry now as breaching spotted dolphins have been spotted in our bow wake! I look forward to our next encounter and will see you on the water...Capt. Chris

2008-10-09T06:54:00.000-07:00

Day 6

2008-10-08T12:02:00.000-07:00

"There is nothing--absolutely nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." ... The Wind in the Willows

Today we really got to play with some of the toys on board the National Geographic Explorer. ZODIACS! We anchored about half a mile out of the quaint fishing village of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The shuttling of adventurers back and forth and back again was an adventure in itself. A pair of adult Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) escorted my morning group in and my all aboard group back in the afternoon, however the lunch run escorts were Guillemot (Cepphus columbia) and Cormorants (Phalacrocorax aurita)...So far no Cetations but hopefully that will change this afternoon.

The Town of Lunenburg was formally established in 1753 as the first British Colonial settlement in Nova Scotia outside of Halifax. Many of the architectual features from the late 1700s and early 1800s are still being used today. The Town's German heritage has been maintained and promoted and history of the fishing industry has been captured in the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic wich was our first stop today. In 1995, The World Heritage Committee, under the auspices of UNESCO, recognized Lunenburg's cultural and natural heritage by adding it to their World Heritage List.

Tomorrow we enter US waters and plan to anchor outside of Mount Dessert Maine. I look forward to returning to the Frenchboro Island area where my favorite travelling companion Graham and I so recently had a great adventure...but he will have to write about that one...I will look forward to my next log entry and hope you all are well.....Capt. Chris

Day 5: New York City

2008-10-08T04:58:00.000-07:00

Hello from New York City, as Jason reminds me The Greatest City in the World! We sailed in this crisp clear morning to New York Harbor greeted by Lady Liberty and all of the spectacular views of the Gotham sky line. There is so much human history here. Taken from the Dutch by the English in in1664 this metropolis is a combination of its five boroughs. Today we visited the smallest one, the island of Manhattan. Check the "Explorers Club" for lunch. This grand structure is a testament to the spirit of exploration from recorded history to space travel! Then a tour of the city and on to the Lindblad corporate head quarters and a roof top meeting with Sven-Olaf Lindblad who shared his vision of exploration made accessible to the common person as well as greater environmental concerns globally. Tomorrow we spend a full day at sea and have ample opportunities for research and naturalist presentations. One never knows what will yield itself in the deep ocean...I look forward to a Southern route that brings me closer to my home and possibly the second greatest city in the world Charleston SC! be well ...miss you all Capt. Chris

Day 2: The Trip Begins!

2008-10-03T13:16:00.000-07:00

Wow the Irish Pub culture in Halifax is a sight to be hold... or a mug to be holdin... this music laden, laughter filled, wee hour communion deserves further investigation... perhaps a personal mission on a different adventure...hmmm. Yesterday the majority of the expedition guests arrived at different and delayed times from all over the world. The Lindblad clientel prove to be very well educated and often quite witty with a demonstrated want for adventure as it yields itself through exploration and wild life. The frequency of repeat Linblad clients speaks to the high quality standard and expert trip planning strategies of the company and makes me anxious for the real adventure to come.
Today (oct.3, fri) we journey to Peggy's Cove in the morning and board the ship for departure in the afternoon. Peggy's Cove is a small rural community located on the eastern shore of St. Margarets Bay in Nova Scotia's Halifax Province. The light house at Peggy's Cove is the largest tourist attraction in eastern Canada. Geologically the terrain is 4000 year old granite derived from cooled molten earth yielded by techtonic plate movement during the Devonian period. These high granite ridges buffeted by the cold Northern Atlantic are dotted with erratic boulders deposited by glacial melt. Bag Pipes every where! The pipers seem to be around every corner! Currently on board Ship...have to attend safety drill...as the adventure continues...Capt. Chris

Day One

2008-10-02T10:27:00.000-07:00

Halifax Regional Municipality Halfax is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada, making it the seat of the provincial crown. The population is approximately 372,679 giving the municipality the largest urban area in Atlantic Canada and largest population centre in Canada east of Quebec city. Halifax proves to be quite charming and steeped in history. A very clean and pedestrian friendly environment is attractive to tourism and commerce. Today (Oct 2nd, 2008)is the celebrationof 250 years of parliamentary democracy beginning in 1758. This celebration brings with it parades of locals in period dress and many special events. The Pub culture is also a main stay here and proves to create a lively night life culture....The Linblad staff are a rare and tallented sort who are quite professional and interesting... more to come... Hope all is well Capt. Chris