Lautoka, Fiji
A day at sea, and although the guests of National Geographic Endeavour have only been onboard for three days, it is a welcome reprieve for the body and senses. The guests that joined in Lautoka have flown half way around the world to be here; days have suddenly disappeared with the passing date line, and internal clocks need to be reset. These small islands are a far cry from what most of us are used to: nine to five jobs, flowing freeways, and super malls. We now must adjust to island life, where things happen at a much more leisurely pace, and despite modern conveniences like telephones and e-mail, there are still traditional gift ceremonies and village chiefs. An incredible combination of the hedonism we seek in the South Pacific, and amenities of modern society.
Our day is spent cruising through crystal blue waters, some of the most photographed and sought after in the world. Of course the white sand beaches with lapping waves draw most towards the island shores, but the deeper waters outside the atolls and reefs house an incredible community, that we are quickly learning is more than just “pretty,” it is a complex ecosystem.
An example: Where do these beautiful white sand beaches come from? While the standard answer may be sea erosion of the corals, this is not the whole story. As we look more closely into the reef, there are fish that feed off small organisms that live on the coral, but often take a mouthful of coral as well. When these fish relieve themselves (what a Gastrointestinal process!), the coral comes out as the white sand. A different view of the simple stroll on the beach.
Coral Reefs house some of the simplest and bizarre looking creatures on the planet, all adapted specifically for their individual niche. Your basic coral animal, the basis for the reefs, is dependant on small uni-cellular plants (zooxanthellae) for growth. This plant facilitates the growth of a calcium-carbonate skeleton, which provides the framework for the reef (along with help from some mollusks and echinoderms). Whilst we all admire the small and often brightly colored corals that lie on the surface of the reef, this is actually the least significant part, as the skeleton from the coral generations before, form the real basis of the community.
From there we grow in size and shape, from the waving tentacles of the anemone to sharks patrolling the reefs. Pictured here are just some of the thousands of creatures you might find on a reef system. The Yellowmargin moray may look ferocious at first glance, cheeks and neck bellowing and sharp teeth protruding, however it is quite a shy and solitary animal, rarely leaving the rocky recesses it peers from. As for the intimidating mouth gestures, this is how it breathes, so no need to be alarmed.
The second picture is probably one of the most recognized creatures on the planet, thanks to Disney’s Finding Nemo. This Orange Finned Anemonefish may not look like Nemo, but the concept is still the same. These creatures live in and around anemones. Unlike like most animals, they have a protective mucus coating which keeps them from getting stung by the anemones tentacles. Anemone fish, like many reef species, can also change sex throughout their lives depending on the number of males and females in the family, so in actuality, Nemo might have become his father’s new partner.
Tomorrow we arrive in Vanutatu, and we eagerly anticipate the new sounds, smells, tastes, and sights that await us there.
A day at sea, and although the guests of National Geographic Endeavour have only been onboard for three days, it is a welcome reprieve for the body and senses. The guests that joined in Lautoka have flown half way around the world to be here; days have suddenly disappeared with the passing date line, and internal clocks need to be reset. These small islands are a far cry from what most of us are used to: nine to five jobs, flowing freeways, and super malls. We now must adjust to island life, where things happen at a much more leisurely pace, and despite modern conveniences like telephones and e-mail, there are still traditional gift ceremonies and village chiefs. An incredible combination of the hedonism we seek in the South Pacific, and amenities of modern society.
Our day is spent cruising through crystal blue waters, some of the most photographed and sought after in the world. Of course the white sand beaches with lapping waves draw most towards the island shores, but the deeper waters outside the atolls and reefs house an incredible community, that we are quickly learning is more than just “pretty,” it is a complex ecosystem.
An example: Where do these beautiful white sand beaches come from? While the standard answer may be sea erosion of the corals, this is not the whole story. As we look more closely into the reef, there are fish that feed off small organisms that live on the coral, but often take a mouthful of coral as well. When these fish relieve themselves (what a Gastrointestinal process!), the coral comes out as the white sand. A different view of the simple stroll on the beach.
Coral Reefs house some of the simplest and bizarre looking creatures on the planet, all adapted specifically for their individual niche. Your basic coral animal, the basis for the reefs, is dependant on small uni-cellular plants (zooxanthellae) for growth. This plant facilitates the growth of a calcium-carbonate skeleton, which provides the framework for the reef (along with help from some mollusks and echinoderms). Whilst we all admire the small and often brightly colored corals that lie on the surface of the reef, this is actually the least significant part, as the skeleton from the coral generations before, form the real basis of the community.
From there we grow in size and shape, from the waving tentacles of the anemone to sharks patrolling the reefs. Pictured here are just some of the thousands of creatures you might find on a reef system. The Yellowmargin moray may look ferocious at first glance, cheeks and neck bellowing and sharp teeth protruding, however it is quite a shy and solitary animal, rarely leaving the rocky recesses it peers from. As for the intimidating mouth gestures, this is how it breathes, so no need to be alarmed.
The second picture is probably one of the most recognized creatures on the planet, thanks to Disney’s Finding Nemo. This Orange Finned Anemonefish may not look like Nemo, but the concept is still the same. These creatures live in and around anemones. Unlike like most animals, they have a protective mucus coating which keeps them from getting stung by the anemones tentacles. Anemone fish, like many reef species, can also change sex throughout their lives depending on the number of males and females in the family, so in actuality, Nemo might have become his father’s new partner.
Tomorrow we arrive in Vanutatu, and we eagerly anticipate the new sounds, smells, tastes, and sights that await us there.
