After a two hour ferry ride from Gladstone, Queensland, Australia, we arrived. The Heron Island I had seen the island before on David Attenborough's Blue Planet, but nothing prepared me for the beauty when I arrived. More than a beauty, there was a welcoming. I don't know if it was the island itself, the group that I was to embark on this incredible journey with or a nice mix of both. Either way, I couldn't help be feel overwhelmed. Disembarking from the ferry to meet some of the staff and get settled into what would be our living quarters for the next couple weeks, I was first reminded of Hawaii. I spent four wonderful months of the Big Island a couple years back and it had been the most wondrous, challenging and eye-opening experience of my life. Though this island was much smaller, roughly half a kilometer measured longways, taking only 15 minutes to walk from one end to the other, I believe this place will challenge and better me by its own means. After a brief tour around the Queensland Research Center, we were allowed to unpack into our housing. The accommodations were quaint and clean. We split the class up, boys to their rooms and girls to theirs. My roommates and I settled in nicely and then went to enjoy lunch. The food, prepared by an on-site chef and soon-to-be friend, Pat was delicious. We were released to finish unpacking, expected to return for a safety briefing and course rundown. The typical lab safety was discussed as well as some additional precautions specific to the island (i.e. never swim alone, don't touch anything unless instructed, keep yourself accounted for, etc.). After that we went for an introductory snorkel and what an experience that was.
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About MeAn educated outdoor enthusiast with a passion for the planet and all its inhabitants, I wish to be a liaison between the scientific world and the public. I believe that knowledge and compassion are the keys to understanding and bettering our complex existence on this beautiful Earth. Archives |