On Christmas eve we had a very early start of about 5:30am to meet up with others that were going to participate in the Christmas bird count. This bird count happens all over and over many generations. There were about six groups of us assigned to different parts of the island. There was some mix of locals but we took up the other half of the people who participated. My group had Laulau beach as well as the Laulau golf course. Along the way we stayed in the car and drove slow down some roads trying to record every bird that we heard. It felt pretty intense and challenging. The golf course was the best part, we got two golf carts and we got escorted around by the marshal. I must say I always love driving golf carts, reminds me of the times when I would go to Funtastics with my uncle. And I haven't seen a lot of golf courses but I must say this was a really nice one. I kept thinking to myself I wish my uncle were here to play these course. Lots of Japanese golfers along the way. This is probably where we detected the most birds actually. After each group was done with their assigned areas we met back up at a restaurant to give back our data sheets. It was a good time with everyone and we had the rest of the day off. We went to the pool then played some card games with everyone. Still had an early night to bed, though :)
For Christmas I had a card from my mom and uncle to open which was very lovely. And yes Jim there are quiet a few feral cats and I just want to rescue all of them. It was a nice morning being able to skype with both my mom and Marcelo. That afternoon we went to wing beach to have a BBQ which is a big thing on the island apparently, it's the social event. The snorkeling there was absolutely amazing! I can't believe all the different fish that I saw, I've never experienced anything like it. The water was a little rough so I can only imagine when the surf is calmer and the visibility is clearer. Which we are having some bad surf advisories because of a storm that is hitting Japan, so hopefully when that passes we will be able to snorkel at that beach again. It was a very different but great Christmas. I do miss my family though and wish that they could be here enjoying the beaches with me.
Here are some of the pictures from previous days.
This is from when we had our first meeting a Fiesta beach where we played volleyball and frisbee.
I have a feeling that I'll have a lot of color by the time everyone sees me again back on the mainland. My body is being exposed to sunlight it hasn't seen in about a year.
These were from our Saipan 101 class.
Japanese memorial
Korean memorial just next to it
This place is a very popular dive spot. It's also pretty awesome to swim in.
This is where we spent Christmas, Wing beach.
I've seen so many different species of fish, I'm still in shock of how amazing that snorkeling was and I can't wait to go back. I'm lucky enough to be rooming with the TA who brought a Micronesian reef fish book with pictures to identify the different species. So far I've identified 13 of the ones that I have seen. I have seen more than that but either I didn't get them in a picture or video, or good enough memory to try to identify. I have a feeling that I will be doing a project here that has to do with the marine systems....
This is the same Trocha (top) shells that I found in Australia. Reminded me of all the times on Sunday Island. I brought one back for my mom, but that one they polished and got to the nacreous part of the shell that makes it white and iridescent.
Got a little excited...
Here is the group of us here. There is also a grad student here who was not in the photo but she attends most everything we go to. Our two instructors are in the back row on the right Benford and Nashelly. There will be one more coming for the spring semester and our TA Rosie will be leaving us (front row white shirt).
