Isla Blanquilla, Venezuela
This morning we were off Venezuela near the small, hilly islands of Los Hermanos. Isla Blanquilla, being nearly flat, was more difficult to see on the horizon. At 0900 hrs crew went aloft to set sails, and through the morning, masked boobies, brown boobies, frigatebirds and a tropicbird or two kept us company. In mid-morning, we gathered in the lounge for a presentation titled, “The Art of Patrick O’Brian and Nelson’s Navy,” by marine artist Geoff Hunt.
In the early afternoon, Berit gave a presentation about reef fishes of the Caribbean. We then went ashore, to a beautiful, white, sandy beach on Isla Blanquilla. We had the shade of the only two palm trees on the beach. Many of us snorkeled by some rocky outcroppings a short walk down the beach. The water here was chillier than Bonaire; it was also green and rich with plankton. Brain corals, sea fans and other soft corals were flourishing. It is such a wonderful sight to see healthy corals! Schools of tiny fish fry were everywhere. A remote, uninhabited island has many have advantages!
Late in the afternoon, we enjoyed cold beers and rum punch on the beach. After Geoff Hunt did a bit of snorkeling, he sat down on the sand to do some sketching.
As the sun lowered, conditions looked perfect for the green flash. And . . . we saw it!
This morning we were off Venezuela near the small, hilly islands of Los Hermanos. Isla Blanquilla, being nearly flat, was more difficult to see on the horizon. At 0900 hrs crew went aloft to set sails, and through the morning, masked boobies, brown boobies, frigatebirds and a tropicbird or two kept us company. In mid-morning, we gathered in the lounge for a presentation titled, “The Art of Patrick O’Brian and Nelson’s Navy,” by marine artist Geoff Hunt.
In the early afternoon, Berit gave a presentation about reef fishes of the Caribbean. We then went ashore, to a beautiful, white, sandy beach on Isla Blanquilla. We had the shade of the only two palm trees on the beach. Many of us snorkeled by some rocky outcroppings a short walk down the beach. The water here was chillier than Bonaire; it was also green and rich with plankton. Brain corals, sea fans and other soft corals were flourishing. It is such a wonderful sight to see healthy corals! Schools of tiny fish fry were everywhere. A remote, uninhabited island has many have advantages!
Late in the afternoon, we enjoyed cold beers and rum punch on the beach. After Geoff Hunt did a bit of snorkeling, he sat down on the sand to do some sketching.
As the sun lowered, conditions looked perfect for the green flash. And . . . we saw it!
