Journals from the week ending December 6, 1996

Heron Island
by Corrina Wong
12/1/96, aboard ship...

On November 26, we went to Heron Island. We left the ship at seven thirty in the evening. We were going to witness the green turtles coming onto the beach to lay their eggs. This experience was great. The turtles slowly crawl up the beach from the ocean and start digging craters with their flippers. This can sometimes take all night because they need to find the perfect spot. Once the crater is complete they continue to build an egg chamber where they lay their eggs. I was fortunate to actually hold a turtle egg which was a little bigger than a ping pong ball. It was warm and quite heavy. Witnessing this event was breathtaking; I am glad we had the chance to go.

Low Islets
by Nicolas Paradis
11/24/96, aboard ship...

Low Islets are two little islands. Little is not an accurate description without some measurements: one or two square kilometres of land in the middle of the reef. A circular beach that allows you run around the entire island in 5 to 7 minutes. In addition to the preservation role as part of the Great Barrier Reef Park, Low Islets receives up to two hundred and fifty tourists everyday. They come from the mainland to snorkel and relax on the beach. In order to keep the island natural, a park ranger is stationed there full time who greets visitors and explains the rules of the island park.

Pirate Day
by Josh Rogan
11/30/96, aboard ship...

After our morning Colours, we were told to meet amidships with our pirate outfits on ready to have contests and pirate competitions. When nine o'clock came around everyone with the true pirate spirit in them met amidships with swords, knives, eyepatches and the well-known 'AARRRGGHHH.' The events ranged from The Fastest Knot Maker to The Person Who Could Drink the Most Water in the fastest amount of time. Personally, I enjoyed the treasure hunt which I and my awesome group worked on together. When I found the treasure I yelled from the darkesst corner of the whole ship. The treasure was candy bars for the group and smiles for us all. Pirate Day was definitely a whale of a time. ARRRRGGH matey.

Ocean Challenge / e-mail: ocean@oceanchallenge.com / Class Afloat '96-'97
(c) Copyright 1996, Ocean Challenge