L’Austral arrives in Triton Bay at 6.30am this morning, in time for some low-lying cloud and gentle rainfall. It looks quite Jurassic with the lush green foliage, ribbons of cloud, and still water. The temperature is somewhat reduced due to the cloud cover, with a morning forecast of 27⁰C and an afternoon high of 31⁰C. Triton Bay is one of the 3 regions that make up the Bird’s Head Seascape, an important biodiversity zone. Part of the “Coral Triangle”, it is believed that this area has more coral and fish species than anywhere else on the planet.
This morning is a 1.5 hour zodiac ride around the nooks and crannies of the bay to see the amazing shapes the erosion of the limestone has created. Resembling mushrooms, the little outcrops are part of the distinctive geology of the area.
The afternoon is a swimming or snorkelling session. The plan today is to operate the snorkelling session from an anchored zodiac in deeper water, which should alleviate the cuts and bruises from yesterday’s way too shallow attempt. Like all expedition plans, it is subject to change, and the snorkelling session involves wading out from the beach again. The water is deeper, but the tide is coming in and trying to get out past a break to reach some interesting coral is more like ocean swimming than snorkelling. Someone crashes into me and I crash into coral on both legs, so some deeper coral cuts to be managed. When the water is less turbulent there are some pretty blue tropical fish around, and a number of different species taking refuge into any available spaces.
On a positive note, some of the hotel staff are able to spend some time on the beach, which is the first time off the ship for them for a couple of months.
Tonight we set sail for Arguni, further north on the West Papuan coast. It is a night and morning at sea to reach that destination, the attraction being the same style of Gwion or ‘Bradshaw’ indigenous art seen in the Kimberley. The daily briefing for tomorrow’s activities clashes with the sunset, so it’s a very muted afterburn of a sunset shot this evening.
