On our first day aboard National Geographic Quest, we woke up to an overcast morning here in the Pacific Northwest. Cruising along the waterfront, we were greeted with stunning views of the Seattle skyline as we watched the iconic ferries sailing. As we geared up for our expedition, we learned about bear safety for our adventures into the Inside Passage. The excitement was palpable in anticipation of what’s to come.
After a brief intermission, the morning was all about cameras. Our Certified Photo Instructor, Shayne Sanders, gave a presentation on Introduction to Expedition Photography. We learned about our cameras and discovered new tips and tricks for capturing the journey ahead. After a break for freshly baked cookies and tea, Shayne gave a presentation on Introduction to Smartphone Photography. We learned everything there is to know about the cameras that live in our pockets.
After a delicious lunch, we had some leisure time to relax before an action packed couple of weeks. Our wellness specialist offered massages while everyone enjoyed the amenities of the ship, including a coconut rum beverage made by our amazing bartenders. While guests enjoyed a relaxing afternoon, our undersea team was hard at work deploying the ROV (remote operated vehicle). The ROV is used to explore the depths of the bay and surrounding area to capture footage of our beautiful underwater world.
We began our first cocktail hour and recap. The expedition team taught us more about Seattle and the processes that shaped this breathtaking region. After a delicious dinner, we came back to the lounge to watch a movie and then drifted off to bed in anticipation of an exciting day in Canada tomorrow.
Photographers: Shayne Sanders, Certified Photo Instructor, and Amy Malkoski and Luke Manson, Undersea Team
