January 30, 2016

Australia, Port Douglas

G’day Mate!

This portion of our trip was a quick stop prior to going to Cambodia. It was 6-½ hour flight from Samoa to Australia.

We scheduled to see the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system, and also the biggest single structure made by living organisms. I didn’t snorkel, surprise! Not being one with the sea creatures is part of my DNA. Instead, I tested my severe claustrophobia by actually riding beneath the surface in a semi-submersible and it was gorgeous. The reef that we saw was very healthy, and the colors were vibrant and beautiful. According to UNESCO, the diversity of species and habitats, and their inter-connectivity, make the GBR one of the richest and most complex natural ecosystems on earth. There are over 1,500 species of fish, about 400 species of coral, 4,000 species of mollusk, and some 240 species of birds, plus a great diversity of sponges, anemones, marine worms, crustaceans, and other species. WOW!

 

Not me!

 

It was so hot and humid that my camera fogged! (see photo). It was also too hot to visit the Daintree Rain Forest, although I wish I could have done both.

 

On the way to the airport we actually saw a Woolworth Store in Cairns!  We arrived at the plane to a crew-decorated interior. Very cute and needed for the 7 1/2 hour flight to Cambodia…yep, 7 1/2 hours!

 

 

I must say something about our National Geographic Experts that were with us throughout our expedition.

Lee Burger  is a paleoanthropologist…sort of the rock star of paleoanthropologists actually.  In 2008 he discovered  what has been widely acknowledged as one of the most important paleontological finds in history:  A two million year old fossils of an adult female and young male of a previously unknown species of ape like creatures that may have been a direct ancestor of modern humans.  And in 2013, he and his team discovered what may be a burial site.  This was a new species as well and Lee named it Homo naledi.  This new discovery is the single largest fossil hominin find in Africa to date.  And, he assured us that there is a blockbuster announcement coming in September.  Stay tuned!  He was with his wife, Jackie, an M.D.  He was very engaged and an excellent speaker.

David Harrison is an Anthropologist and linguist.  He too was an excellent speaker and very engaged with our group.  He is a National Geographic Fellow and is Co-Director of the Society’s Enduring Voices Project.  They document endangered languages and cultures around the world.  His global research is the subject of an acclaimed documentary, The Linguists.  He is very impressive!

Jay Dickman is a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer.  His career spans over 35 years and he’s done 25 assignments for the Society.  He was in a word, AMAZING.  He was patient and immensely helpful.  He produced a slide show of our trip on our last night (Morocco) and it was breathtaking.   Watching him shoot was watching an artist at work.  I learned a lot!

On to Siem Reap, Cambodia and Angkor Wat, major Bucket List!