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Thursday - Turtle hatchlings emerge
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date: 25/12/2008
Author:Nick Brennan
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CONDITIONS
Weather: Overcast, warm and pleasant | Air Temp: 31 °C | Wind: NE 10 knots | Water Temp: 26°C | Water Visibility: ~ 20 m | Sea State: Calm
ISLAND LIFE
Critter Encounters:
Merry Christmas!
The sun rose on a beautiful Christmas morning here at Lady Elliot Island and the guests awoke to find that Santa had visited during the night.
Santa returned in the morning with his island helpers in “Tender 2” and to the excitement of the children had a sack full of lollies. He came ashore to his reef shack for a little rest, and posed for some memorable photos before continuing on his journey around the world. It was a special morning full of laughter.
After Santas visit everyone headed off for a snorkel in the beautiful clear water and then freshened up for our Christmas Extravaganza Lunch!! All the roast favourites and cold seafood galore cured those grumbling tummies that is for sure!!
After a little siesta in the afternoon everybody was primed for another snorkel. The snorkel safari today began at the shark pool and it was nothing short of thrilling. After being in the water for only five minutes guests had spotted nine grey whaler sharks that swum all around the group and let everyone get incredible photos. Drifting down past the coral gardens, guests were in awe of the beautiful blue damsel fish that was in abundance, feeding on the plankton. When the group hit second reef they saw five turtles that were very friendly and topped off an amazing day in the water.
In the evening everybody gathered at the Coral Gardens for champagne and nibbles on the beach to watch the sunset. Just after sunset we noticed that our first nest was once again showing some movement in the sand. . Guests made a guard of honour and watched in awe as 12 tiny turtle hatchlings emerged and made their all important journey down the beach to begin their life at sea.
After a very unique island Christmas day, guests still found a little room for dinner and then those that were still awake enough came along for a Turtle trek. We had Christmas luck with us and didn’t have to walk very far at all as a very obliging turtle came up and nested right in front of the bar for all to see!!!
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Hatchling emerge - Jenni Fox
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