Began at 7am with a nice buffet breakfast to keep us going for the morning. Today was oriented around another "relaxation" day before we started our data collection and scientific projects the next couple days. Our first big thing this morning was an organized boat snorkel to the Blue Lagoon. Basically, we took these huge yellow boats out onto the reef, about a 10 minute drive from the shore. On the way out to our destination, we were fortunate enough to see a pod of dolphins! I didn't really get a good look, since they were quite scared and swam away from the boat, but I was able to catch a glimpse of their dorsal fins sticking out of the waves.
The Blue Lagoon was amazing. Basically, we jumped off the boats, swam around this shallower area and saw heaps of coral fish, rays, and a couple sea turtles. We also swam out to one location that typically has a couple sharks hanging out, but they weren't there for us to see. I think the coolest part was this one ray that I didn't see until he was right under me.....I basically stopped kicking my fins and just floated with the current as he moved under me and continued on his way. The underwater camera that I bought before the trip definitely got some use this trip, and I have the film getting developed as I type. I should have the CD in a couple days to post some photos, and hopefully they turn out ok!
After our snorkel, we had some lunch, then some time to relax on the beach before a quick debrief on our projects and the next step in the data process. We were each sent out in our teams to walk around the island for an hour to try and determine key aspects to its formation, like wind direction, sand-grain size and any changes we saw along the beaches. Our group had loads of fun coming up with stories about how the island formed....mainly things involving volcanic eruptions and cyclone deposits. It was on this trip that we localized some cool lookout points for future swims and walks.
After our walk, the tutors led us out on yet another guided snorkel, but this time it was around the island. We were able to see the island from the water point of view, as well as see the different areas around. We got in at the harbour, swam north to Shark Alley - this area where a 2m by 10-ishm area is flanked by rock walls on either side. This area is prime area for catching fish in the tides, and therefore all the sharks go stir-crazy feeding here. We were told that the sharks circle the opening of the alley, then swim down the center and up the sides to split up the pools of fish, disorienting them. The sharks in question are 8-ft reef sharks and lemon sharks - harmless to humans unless you provoke them or they are REALLY hungry. When we visited, the tide was too low to see any sharks, but I vowed to return in hopes of seeing just one before the trip ended.
Next up around the island was an area called Ray Bay, where as the name implies, you see a whole ton of different species of rays. From eagle rays, to sting rays, whiptail rays, shovel nose rays and manta rays....this bay had them all. Here, we were given a chat about how to swim with the rays - not over them as they can whip us with their tails, but to either side, giving them a wide berth to move if they feel threatened.
We continued around the island to the soft coral beds, the shipwreck and then back to the harbour and jetty. It was getting late and about suppertime, so we hopped out, showered up and hit the dining hall for some much required food. You would think that being fed 5 meals a day would equal massive weight gain, but with all the snorkeling.....we really needed the energy!
After dinner was our last meeting to create smaller teams from our 10-man team - I was put into a group with that same US guy from before....Mr. Know-it-all. He was better this trip, but I was still anticipating some issues with work habits and efforts on his behalf. We were also assigned topics to research, and we ended up with coral health and climate change. Our group then went into brainstorm mode - thinking of possible studies we could desgin and perform in 2 days time. We came up with the idea of testing fish diversity around healthy versus unhealthy corals - which meant that our "data collection methods" involved us snorkeling all day for the next 2 days. Brilliant.
Before an early bedtime, since Alexa, Andrea and I decided to wake up the next morning to do an early morning snorkel, we sat out on the beach under the stars. They were so pretty - so clear and pristine....and I saw so many constellations, the milky way and a couple shooting stars. Made a few wishes, pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming, and then hit the sack for a good sleep before our 5am alarm.
No comments:
Post a Comment