We took a break to enjoy a delicious breakfast of eggs and potatoes, and then returned to our kayaks to continue preparing for our journey. As part of our preparation, we practiced capsizing our kayaks and unhooking our splash skirts from the kayaks while upside-down underwater. After everyone passed the capsize test, we were finally ready to go. Our skills were tested as everyone tried to push off from the beach and into the open water, trying to avoid crashing. With each stroke of the paddle we traveled faster and more smoothly. We gained a new perspective of the ocean as we hovered a few feet above the reefs, fish, and grass we once inspected from a few inches while snorkeling. After about an hour we slid onto white, ‘sugar’ sand on the beach and out of our spray skirts. We unpacked our lunches, everyone grabbing a sandwich, cassava chips, and an orange. We felt content as we ate and admired a beach so picturesque it could have been a computer screensaver. After a group picture, we repacked our kayaks and headed back to the Island School.
On the return trip, the wind and waves began to pick up, but everyone managed to push through by singing songs the entire way back. Upon our return, we disembarked from our kayaks and rinsed each one with fresh water before replacing them under the boathouse. We were then informed that we had 15 minutes to change and get ready for the Cape Eleuthera Institute research symposium.
As we joined the other researches of CEI at the symposium, Cassidy, an intern only one year older than us, began her presentation on her experience researching sea turtles. It was interesting to hear about what she discovered over her four months as an intern when we worked with her on Wednesday and Thursday while ‘turtling.’ Following Cassidy were presentations made by other interns on sharks, conch, and fish such as the Schoolmaster Snapper. Although we were tired from a long day, we found the presentations interesting. After the symposium, we discussed how cool it was to have actually understood the interns’ presentations and their findings after our months of study.
Our hour of relaxation before dinner was welcomed by all, and the dinner of chicken parmesan and macaroni and cheese was one of the best dinners yet. After dinner, we met as a group in the presentation room to learn the details of our upcoming down-island trip. We were given a brief packing list and discussed some of the things we will see such as caves and a part of Eleuthera that is only 25 feet wide. We are all excited for our trip tomorrow, and even more excited to spend tomorrow night camping on a beach.
Talk to you in a few days!
-Hannah and Isaac
No comments:
Post a Comment