Yay! We might just get our country back into some sort of respectable state. Crossed fingers for Kevin and his Ruddites...
(this is one of Mark's photos from Woodford 06/07. I like it a lot.)Sunday 25 November 2007
Gentleman coral farmer
Now that I have finished Uni for the year, I have even more spare time than ever. (Yay!)
Last week I began helping out at MERIP, the Marine Environment Research Institute of Pohnpei, which is directed by a couple of our friends. I volunteered to help them with their coral farms, and have spent a couple of days already herding and milking the little blighters...
Last week I began helping out at MERIP, the Marine Environment Research Institute of Pohnpei, which is directed by a couple of our friends. I volunteered to help them with their coral farms, and have spent a couple of days already herding and milking the little blighters...
Actually, it is an intriguing cross between working with animals and plants. The corals are seeded from cuttings taken from broodstock, and 'planted' amongst a substrate on racks submerged in the lagoon; but they are animals, sort of...
They get a bit scummy underwater, so the job of grooming them is important, and that is what I have been doing thus far. Normally you don't touch living things too much when you are diving, and it was a little disconcerting to find that these soft corals feel just like human skin, and are a slightly pink colour, and some also grow in hand/finger-like configurations.
The coral is also farmed independently by Pohnpeian farmers, with assistance from MERIP, and eventually sold to aquarium suppliers in the US. Fun!
Ben
They get a bit scummy underwater, so the job of grooming them is important, and that is what I have been doing thus far. Normally you don't touch living things too much when you are diving, and it was a little disconcerting to find that these soft corals feel just like human skin, and are a slightly pink colour, and some also grow in hand/finger-like configurations.
The coral is also farmed independently by Pohnpeian farmers, with assistance from MERIP, and eventually sold to aquarium suppliers in the US. Fun!
Ben
Monday 19 November 2007
Evening Wear at The Village
To celebrate a friends birthday, we donned our finest evening wear, (mostly courtesy of Super Savers, which is the 'reject outlet' for Hawaiian Goodwill stores), and went to the poshest restaurant in town, The Village.
I expect Jo has told everyone about her new tattoos? They are very tasteful.
I remember wishing I had one of those 'quirky' Disney vests for my Year 10 formal. I guess that's why I didn't get lucky...
Halloween
Halloween is a big celebration in Pohnpei. It brings out all the stars.
KISS performed at the Rusty Anchor, as part of their "No, we aren't dead yet '07" tour.
They have aged well, and everyone enjoyed the show...
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