Fiji - August 09

We just got back from a brief holiday in Fiji – exploring the big island of Viti Levu. I participated in a biogeography workshop in Suva for a week and then Renee joined me for a short collection trip and a couple days of exploring. Before Renee got in, I had a chance to explore Suva a bit (capital city, east side). I was most impressed with the markets. The smell of the curries and spices was great and all the colours were incredible.

locals selling orchids and flowers-

rows and rows of curries and spices-

lentils-


Josh buying some dried kava-
After my workshop I flew back to Nadi (west side) and met Renee at the airport then quickly jumped on a bus to the Coral Coast (southwest corner). We spent the first couple days just relaxing and snorkelling.

Getting ready for a holiday-

Hexagon Grouper-

Renee snorkeling (I love this photo)-

On the third day we caught up with some friends to spend three days on the small island of Naigani (off east coast) collecting for our research project. The island is beautiful and the reefs are in great shape. Because we wanted to collect in the area, we had to ask permission from the local village. During this welcoming ceremony we presented them with gifts of dried kava (waka sevu sevu) and drank kava with the elders. Hard work, snorkelling, diving, and relaxing followed…

Renee in the palm trees on Naigani outside our bure-

Eric fishing

Giant clam-

This was a bit of a photo-shoot. I was trying to look cool... oh well!

Josh took this photo of me... kind of neat, I think.

Low tide at our beach-


After Naigani, we left our friends at the pier and caught a cab to the northern most point to take another short boat ride out to Nananu-i-ra Island. We had two days of just snorkelling. It was overcast, so the u/w photos are not great, but it was good fun nonetheless.

Driving north along the King's Road was quite tropical-

Around the north side, it got quite dry-

On the island, I found a coconut and husked it for an afternoon snack-

Semicircle Anglefish-

Nemo! or his cousin, at least-

A colorful sea slug-
Enjoying a Fiji Bitter on the beach at Betham's-

We spent our last night at a posh yet cheap hotel in Nadi and flew out early Sunday. We got back to Brissy around noon. We’ll have a shortish work week followed by a long weekend camping up at Lamington National Park. Bevan and a couple other friends will help us celebrate Renee’s Bday! We may have a couple photos so share after that.
Cheers-Eric

What happened?

I can not believe it is August already! Seems like it was just a couple weeks ago that Darcee & Mike were here. Let me tell you, the last several months are a blurrrrrr - I'll briefly recap some of the big adventures, and then try to get back on the ball with a post every couple of weeks.... Here' goes:

In the two weeks after Mike & Darcee left, we relaxed, played barefoot bowls (too much fun!), and got ready for my trip to the US. Renee had an art show at the Fairfield Library - just up from our neighborhood.

Nice form at the Yeronga Bowls Club

In early May I flew out to the US for a conference in DC. I spent two weeks on that side of the pond and was able to catch up with some good friends in DC & family in York-PA and Wisc. A couple days after getting back, I ran off to Perth for the Fish Conference and then directly up to Ningaloo for field sampling. Ningaloo was beautiful - coastal desert with nearshore reefs. No - I did not go snorkeling with the whale sharks - that can wait until I go back with Renee. June was also a big month for Renee - she had a great show at KILN and participated in their artwalk. Her show was sold out!

Ningaloo's sandy/rocky shoreline

Eric hard at work...
Serious termite-action in Australia!
Yes, another sunset over Ningaloo
At the end of June, Renee took her first trip to the outback (for work). Although she does not have many photos, she said it was absolutely incredible. I imagine we'll get out there later this year.

After being gone for nearly two monts, Renee and I drove down to NSW for a long weekend away. We stayed at a B&B and enjoying hiking in the rain, soaking in the jacuzzi & relaxing.

Just relaxing a bit

Eric & Renee enjoying a beautiful scenic overlook...
Squirrel glider at nature park
In early July I flew down to Adelaide for the Australian Marine Science Conference. It was a quick one - four days, two presentations, and some great side meetings. The following weekend Renee shared a booth at an art market up the river. It was a long day for her, but quite successful as well.

Two weeks later, I drove up the coast with my lab & assistants to try out a local collection trip. It was mostly successful, but I froze my bumm off! Renee joined me for a couple nights (& we put her to work ;-). We set up a wet lab on the balcony...

Dissecting sea squirts and urchins

Catching sea slugs
Research team on boat leaving Mooloolaba Harbour
Wow, now its August. I'm off to Fiji in less than a week, and then Renee is coming out to join me for a week-long holiday. We're planning on snorkeling, diving, surfing, & hiking. I'm sure we'll have a couple photos to share.

Be sure to check out Renee's new art & shows: http://www.reneesartwork.com/.

Cheers-Eric