Approaching Vatoa Island in the early morning, the feeling amongst the guests of National Geographic Endeavour was one of excitement and curiosity, as this was an island no one aboard had visited before today. As we searched the outer reef, looking for an entrance into the lagoon, we could imagine how Captain Cook must have felt when he first landed on this island in 1774, excited about the prospect, but wary of the unknown. But wariness was quickly dissolved, as we were greeted outside the reef by some helpful locals, who were able to show us the best channel into the inner lagoon, and before we knew it we were cruising through turquoise waters, past white sandy beaches, on our way to the settlement.
Greeted with open arms, and curious glances, the locals welcomed us into their homes, and shared what ever they could from pictures to coconuts. They described what living on this “earthly paradise” was like, while we admired their crafts and pondered how far away from the hustle and bustle of industrial life we had come. Escorted by brown and red-footed boobies, we cruised the lagoon, some stopping for a snorkel before heading back the ship for our afternoon at sea.
These islands and their reefs are truly hidden treasures, and every time we explore one it is amazing and fascinating as to what we find. Not one island we have visited on this 14 day cruise from Rarotonga to Lautoka has revealed the same riches. Today, it was the anemone that held its own secret.
What’s in an Anemone? Anemones are in the phylum Cnidaria and contain stinging cells called nematocysts in their tentacles. They can range in size and shape from delicate cups to giants with long waving tentacles, but all would make for an uncomfortable partner for most of the animal kingdom. However, anemone fish, like the pink anemone fish pictured here, live and find shelter here. Anemone fish, the most famous of all being Disney’s Nemo, have a protective mucus coating surrounding their bodies, so the stinging cells do not bother them. However, it is important for the fish to maintain contact with their venomous home throughout the day, so they build up a tolerance of sorts, otherwise, they too would be in for a nasty sting when touching the anemone. Anemone fish come with their own personalities, seeking shelter within the tentacles for a minute, before curiosity is just too much to stand, and they must come out and investigate what this huge object looming overhead is. If you get close enough, they can get quite protective of “their” anemone, their mouths moving up and down, seemingly muttering for you to back off, as you were not invited.
Our day on and around Vatoa was filled simple pleasures and hidden delights. As we continue our voyage deeper into the islands of Fiji, one can only speculate what other enchantments await us.
Greeted with open arms, and curious glances, the locals welcomed us into their homes, and shared what ever they could from pictures to coconuts. They described what living on this “earthly paradise” was like, while we admired their crafts and pondered how far away from the hustle and bustle of industrial life we had come. Escorted by brown and red-footed boobies, we cruised the lagoon, some stopping for a snorkel before heading back the ship for our afternoon at sea.
These islands and their reefs are truly hidden treasures, and every time we explore one it is amazing and fascinating as to what we find. Not one island we have visited on this 14 day cruise from Rarotonga to Lautoka has revealed the same riches. Today, it was the anemone that held its own secret.
What’s in an Anemone? Anemones are in the phylum Cnidaria and contain stinging cells called nematocysts in their tentacles. They can range in size and shape from delicate cups to giants with long waving tentacles, but all would make for an uncomfortable partner for most of the animal kingdom. However, anemone fish, like the pink anemone fish pictured here, live and find shelter here. Anemone fish, the most famous of all being Disney’s Nemo, have a protective mucus coating surrounding their bodies, so the stinging cells do not bother them. However, it is important for the fish to maintain contact with their venomous home throughout the day, so they build up a tolerance of sorts, otherwise, they too would be in for a nasty sting when touching the anemone. Anemone fish come with their own personalities, seeking shelter within the tentacles for a minute, before curiosity is just too much to stand, and they must come out and investigate what this huge object looming overhead is. If you get close enough, they can get quite protective of “their” anemone, their mouths moving up and down, seemingly muttering for you to back off, as you were not invited.
Our day on and around Vatoa was filled simple pleasures and hidden delights. As we continue our voyage deeper into the islands of Fiji, one can only speculate what other enchantments await us.
