27 Aug 2019
Exploring Bering Island, Commander Islands
Making our way to the Commander Islands, we take the opportunity to learn more about this archipelago with an introduction from Yulia and entertaining lecture from Samuel on the legacy of German zoologist, botanist, physician and explorer Georg Steller. It was fascinating to learn about Steller who served as a naturalist in the Vitus Bering expedition to North America in 1741-42 and how he packed so much into his 37 years, including discovering thousands of new species and the now extinct Steller's sea cow.
This afternoon Spirit of Enderby pulls up at Bering Island, named after Commander Bering who had the misfortune of discovering this land when his ship was wrecked here in 1741. Exploring Commander Bay, we walk alongside the graves of Bering and some of his crew who lost their lives during the long cold winter on this remote land and stand at the entrance of the cave where Bering and his crew stayed and somberly reflect on what their struggle for survival must have been after their long, harsh journey to this place.
Image from file (c) A.Breniere, Heritage Expeditions
26 Aug 2019
As Spirit of Enderby continues sailing south we notice how autumn tundra getting richer and thicker. While exploring the verdant, endless northern …READ MORE
25 Aug 2019
After an early breakfast we silently made our way into Koryakskiy Reserve where we sat among the tundra surrounded by pines, mushrooms and berries …READ MORE
24 Aug 2019
As we approach Bukhta Lavrova we're excited to see eight Kamchatka Brown Bears roaming the shoreline and hills of the fiords. The foggy weather len…READ MORE
