Palau May 2009

We were barely unpacked from Thailand when the bags were dragged back out of our closet and filled with a fresh supply of travel gear for Palau! (the timing did not seem perfect, but upon arrival in Palau, we were so happy to be there!). where is there? ah, here is a small map to help orient you, hm....yes a neighbor of sorts here in the wide wide ocean:


View Larger Map

We traveled with 8 friends from Guam to Palau - flying out to this gorgeous island, seeking a glimpse of the renowned diving there. Here is where we started every day - getting some breakfast before heading out.

(a little plug for the shop we went with)

here I am excited to jump in...wondering how did Scott beat me into the water so fast?

We had an awesome time diving and tried to capture some pictures of who & what we saw:
Our dive sites:
Day1: #1 Blue Hole #2 Fairyland #3 German Channel
Day 2: exploring the island
Day3: #1 Siaes Corner #2 Siaes Tunnel #3 Ulong Channel
Day 3: #1 Dropoff Wall & Nautilus #2 Blue Corner #3 Ulong Channel

A Crinoid (feather star)

I somehow never tire of seeing these guys, little anemone fish -- always looking so at-home in their anemone homes....ah, yes okay, and they look like Nemo.

A not-so-little puffer just hanging out at the surface

This turtle was so funny, he sat back on his haunches to
get a better look at usbefore deciding to swim off

The little vacuum cleaners of the ocean (Remoras) hitching a ride on a turtle

Cuddle fish

our first day we dove into a turtle convention....here's one taking off into the deep blue
(I love watching them swim!)

it is hard to really show the amazing colors of the coral & sponges we saw...
here's one beside a pretty clam

hitting the beach for some lunch, always surprised by how hungry & tired
we got swimming around

this was so cool - we were hanging out in hopes of seeing them when suddenly a shadow starts appearing....and it becomes 2 giant mantas, soaring in to their cleaning station....we watched them circle around several times...
(and Scott tried to get into the cleaning rotation, but our dive guide called him back) :)

a fabulously orange anemone
(aren't they rather irresistably cute?)

Palau includes hundreds of rock islands, dotting aqua blue waters. We ended the days weaving around through these islands, amazed at our guides' deftness at maneuvering the boat between narrow ways without ever getting lost. Soaking up the beauty around us~

our guide Ken on the right and one of the drivers, Matty

Saturday we took the day off and explored the island above-water.
We hiked to this waterfall and had refreshing showers!
(talk about water power....)

Ancient stone monoliths

Washington?? No....Palau's own capitol building (theirs with fish engraved)

Wall dives are fun because there is so much to see....the only problem with groups is bubbles, bubbles and more bubbles, so you just have to watch who is below you!

A brilliant Nudi

This anemone is rather a pin-cushion sitting solitary, a luxury home for these fellows
(Pink Anemonefish, or uh, as they prefer: Amphiprion perideraion)

A colorful yellow-mask angel fish

Another Crinoid

A magnificent Pink-feathery sponge

this little guy looks sneaky
Fire Dart Fish

A spectacular coral/clam combo

such visibility!

They dropped a night-trap down into the depths to bring up these amazing creatures, Nautilus. After a photo-shot session, Ken tried to help them get back home, diving down >200 ft!

Lion-fish, looking showy as ever

again, awesome.....
"There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number -
living things both large and small." Ps. 104:25

a curious (big!) Napolean Wrasse checking out Ken

we came upon a large school of these Bumphead Parrot Fish chowing down -
with teeth that size, it was rather noisy!
( the 4 dentists with us were all intrigued)

and yet some more...

Here we are (Jonathan & me) hanging out at Ulong Channel...this was so fun, the current attracts.....guess who?
SHARKS!
we took one too many pictures so will incorporate it as a slideshow later.
after detaching our hooks, we go flying down the channel on the current
(a highly recommended dive)

Our last day we were off to snorkel, but first....a beauty-stop at Milky Way :)
and in case you cannot recognize us:
Left to right starting on top: J.Visscher, S. Parker, M. Woods
bottom: D.Matson, M.Woesner, S & C Ordelheide, E.Parker, L.Woods
(followed by a flinging-mud fight)

Once Milky-Way-purified, we were now presentable to these beauties
Jellyfish Lake
thousands of harmless jellyfish
(you may feel a little tiny zinger occasionally though)

Snorkel spotting of this hilarious duo - a rather precarious one I may say for the little trevally
(look for the yellow one)

Giant clams

an unknown
but called by us, the stars & strips fish

You really have to be careful around the giant clams or else...

Peek-a-boo (I think a type of Gobi)
I like them because they always look mischievous

A Nudi beside some of his/her eggs

Here we are heading back in, sad to be leaving!

We had a wonderful time, it was a fantastic trip (and also a fun time with friends)!
It was our first dive trip together....and, it has to be one of the best diving we have had. Palau is well, we think it is the prettiest tropical place we have been. Check it out and let us know.....

Diving Piti

Erika went diving with Jonathan and Debra tonight. Scott is getting better, but is still fighting a cold - or something that has put him down for over a week...here are some critters from the night:

Diving Gun Beach, March 29

This weekend Scott took his turn at being sick. While he rested at home today, I went out to Gun beach with Debra, Jonathan, Max, and Eva (who is visiting from LLU). We did 2 dives and here are some pictures I took from this morning:

Grace

photo credit: Jonathan Visscher

Grace defined as:
1. "b: a pleasing appearance or effect: charm. c: ease and suppleness of movement or bearing" (from: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grace) or I like this one - "grace n. Seemingly effortless beauty or charm of movement, form, or proportion. A characteristic or quality pleasing for its charm or refinement." (from: http://www.answers.com/topic/grace)
2. yet it is also defined as, (Theol.) "the divine favor toward man; the mercy of God..divine love or pardon; a state of acceptance with God" (http://www.webster-dictionary.net/definition/grace).

Ah, grace. Yes, the word offers such a beautiful picture. I feel that it so adequately describes my thoughts right now. In reflecting on our last week, I will share a couple thoughts:
grace, of the first definition, is so evident in the natural world around us. (I plead my exception to this rule! as I am far from the queen of grace) :) Perhaps underwater this is especially obvious, and I have clumsily appreciated our explorations of this world, although I am still trying to control my too frequent thrashings-about and my hyperventilating bubbles...but aside from that, it is a world of seemingly effortless movement and oddly skittish, wide eyed creatures, but also some of the most graceful creatures alive. It is really awesome...we depend on our talented friend (Jonathan) for much of the documentation at this time, and the picture above is one of the many turtles we have seen here. They are pictures of grace, and when aroused from their slumber at the ocean floor, they swim by silently and quickly, in such smooth motion. It has been so fun and absolutely thrilling to watch them.
grace, of the second definition, has also surrounded me. I am so thankful that we have a God of grace...a God that accepts us in spite of our shortcomings (which are many!) and loves us so much. I have been taking some much needed time to study about this God, this grace, and it has reminded of this acceptance. I need that grace because if my existence, my purpose, depended on my goodness, my achievements, then oh what a struggle it would be to hang on to meaning, hope, or love in this life...
And the word captures it all - grace, an effortless acceptance, a transforming beauty....

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2Cor 12:9