We all Scream for Ice Cream

Hey everyone! This is Aurora and Jade writing. Well, today we started off with a snorkel at Four Sponges where we saw an eel (video from Jake included) and we also loved seeing all the beautiful abundance of fish at that spot. After our snorkel, we came back and kayaked around Anthony’s Key, which was really relaxing and a really nice change of pace; being above the surface of the water rather than below it. After we kayaked, we headed to the snack shack and had Miss Palmer’s favorite- ICE CREAM!! After we enjoyed our ice cream we headed over to lunch where we ate tuna wraps and Cuban sandwiches. We had some down time proceeding lunch, where we sat under our bungalows (and had a lot of fun-galow) before heading out on the boat once again. Our next snorkel was at a spot called “Pillar Coral” where we tried our hand at coral identification and had a competition to see who could identify 12 different corals correctly. Also, we saw an oooooh barra-barracuda! To follow, we had some journaling time until it was interrupted by a swarm of ants that decided they like the smell of fruit loops and the boys’ dirty laundry. We then had a small volleyball tournament, and our team came in 2^nd place. Our last activity of the day was a night-time snorkel off the back of Bailey’s Key where we saw some squid, donkey dung sea cucumbers, a school of squirrel fish and multiple beady-eyed lobsters. To finish off the day, we sat down and had Red Snapper, Roasted Chicken and Pork Milanese for dinner, which was all delicious as usual.  The rest of the gang is playing cards while we summarize our busy day. Just an update on Sam- she went to la clinica today and the doctor found she has a ruptured ear drum, meaning she cannot snorkel the rest of the trip. L Even though she couldn’t snorkel today, Jo-Jo let her steer the boat home from Four Sponges.

Mom, Dad, Savannah, Brody and Liana; thanks for the comments, I love and miss you all so much. I was worried you all were partying and went to Red Robin’s without me. Savannah, I especially loved hearing so much of your personality through your comments. It also means a lot to me that you’re trying so hard. I can’t wait to sit my butt down on that new futon and catch up with you guys. Enjoy me being gone while it lasts because I’ll be home before you know it. Love, Rora

Mom and Dad- I miss you guys so much! Mom, I’m so glad you finally figured out how to comment because I was concerned that you were dead and the cats ate your dead body. Anyways, I hope the Walking Dead finale was good dad, and I can’t wait to watch it with you when I get home. Also please say hi to Babcia and Abbi for me, and also Tiger because I only miss her (not the other cats). Well I love you guys and I will see you on Saturday! Love, Jade

Kayaking around Anthony's Key

Camera tricks with Aurora, Jenna and Carly taken by Jake

All of us from yesterday at Maya Key

Our snorkel-selfie

Good Morning North Collins!  Miss Palmer & Mrs. Brosnick here.
      Just finishing up with breakfast and getting ready head to morning lecture, snorkel, lunch , snorkel, pool time, dinner, journal & blog.  Here are some photos of the resort.  We also think we have fixed the video problem - but no sound.

The view we see when we wake up in the morning!

My room - students look not as neat but basically the same.

The girls on their side of the porch.

Chillin in the lobby before breakfast.

Fresh fruit every morning - they do eat healthy!

Our waiter Roland.

Jammin' with JoJo

The Squad

 

 

 

Ok although a hard act to follow its Jake and Chris’ to take a crack at this blogging thingy. Thank you to all the parents that have replied to our blog post last night explaining how much you love and miss us and all that mushy stuff, and we would all love to hear about your day in snowy buffalo but I think you’d rather hear about oursJ, We started off rolling out of bed bright and early to grab a bite quick and then take the water taxi to Bailey’s Key to meet our dorsal- fined friends, dolphins not sharks. So into the brisk water we went to experience our new friend’s habitat filled with hugs, kisses and plethora of cool tricks. After a short snorkel with the dolphins, we boarded the big boat with Captain Jo Jo.  The boat sped off to our next location, a snorkel at Black Rock on the West Bay of Roatan.   There we enjoyed seeing our first flounder and long spined urchin.  We proceeded with  a choppy high sea cruise to Maya Key  with Jo Jo’s master  navigation skills. That was a wild ride!   Arriving at Maya key, we rinse off real quick and had a great buffet lunch of sea bass and banana chips. Following lunch we embarked on a nature tour and exploration of the Mayan replicas ruins which included  native artifacts and architecture. Now more snorkeling off the back of Maya key where we viewed more biodiversity in the reef as well as observing a 3ft to 60ft depth differences while we swam.   Out of the warm water and in to the windy weather to get on the boat for a nice 1 hour boat ride back to our resort. With our gear drying in the gear shack, the whole gang dragged their feet to go to a beautiful lecture on corals. After our studies we ended the night stuffing ourselves with yummy calamari and chicken and cheese quesadilla served pina coladas (nonalcoholic of course). Not forgetting the presentations given by Jade and Aurora filling our heads with info on the Mesoamerican reef.  With all the learning and swimming we could take for one day, we (Jake and Chris) had some spare time to write this master piece to fill you guys with jealousy and sadness. In all seriousness we love and miss all of you and as much as we’d like to come home were going to soak as much of this in while we have the chance.

 

David enjoying the wild ride!

NC in Honduras at sunset

We dem boyz.



Chaperones and co.

Ps thank you Mom Dad Dj Cassandra Charlie Nick and Pea for all your comments I am having a great time and experiencing many new things since I’ve been here. I miss you all give Addison a kiss from Uncle Chris.

PPPPS: On the boat!!

Shake your booty like an agouti!

 On our way to the first snorkel of the day!

 Posing on the shaky dock, walking to dolphin training (check out Sam's face)

Carl telling Alita to do a tail walk!

 Sam shaking hands with Muray

Miss Palmer striking a pose, while Alita takes to the sky (due to her fancy pose)

                An exhausting day of travel had us all begging to go to bed at 7:30 last night, leaving us all passed out by 8.  After we were put to sleep by the sounds of a tropical rainstorm (at least it wasn’t snow) we woke up bright and early to head to a rain soaked breakfast #honduranstyle. We of course consumed our weight in food and then lugged our bodies to the classroom where we got taught all the ropes of Fish ID. We had the chance to test our new skills in our first ‘real’ snorkel of the trip at Man-of-war key. Flamingo tongues, squirrel fish, urchins, blennys and sea fans littered the sea floor, distracting us from the looming dark clouds above our heads. We quickly got out of the water and maneuvered our way back to land, in spite of some people wanting to chase the storm #honduranrisktakers. Lunch was the next priority on our schedule, and you better believe we dove right in. There were mui magnific lobstah tacas that ignited all of our taste buds, and for those of the less daring sort, there were of course cheeseburgers in paradise. We didn’t wait too long for the food to settle before going back out to sea, in midst of a sprinkle of rain. Wrasse hole was full of…. wrasses…. parrotfish, squids, a giant turtle, and too many other things to list. Sadly it was also full of over three foot swells and rolling waves that had all of our stomachs churning. After an exciting boat ride back where we encountered a tuna boil showing off its jumping ways, by leaping out of the surface unexpectedly, we arrived to shore safely. The comforts of land didn’t last too long because we were off on a water taxi to Bailey’s Key to cap off our busy day with dolphin training. This once in a lifetime experience allowed us to learn the ways of dolphin speak #hondurandolphinwhisperers. We were taught energetic hand signals instructing the dolphins to wave, do a backflip, swim fast, swim fast, and swim ‘fancy.’ It was incredible making a connection with these majestic creatures and we wouldn’t trade it for the world. After dolphins we had a hot minute to shower and then right to dolphin lecture before dinner, yet again a classroom activity full of entertainment and interesting quips #honduranstudents. Dinner had us all licking our lips with plates full of luxurious lamb shanks, superb sweet and sour shrimp, and of course the delectable, delicious, decadent, dinner rolls!!! Also, #hondurancoconutcreampie. We now find ourselves exhausted yet again, hoping to hit the sack before 9, in hopes of cramming even more in our schedule if it is even possible, tomorrow.

Love your favorite #honduranhermanas ,

Sam and Carly 

PS. Thanks everyone for the love you have all ‘blogged’ our way, it added a little Buffalove to our day. Also, thank you Verny for that absolutely touching message, I love and miss you so much and I can’t wait to come home and tell you all about my trip like you did for me. Have a superdeeduper week and don’t forget to remind mom that I expect a puppy when I get home ;) Love you much sister!

PPS: I would first like to of course thank you mom and dad (and Mrs. Brosnick, Miss. Palmer, Mr. and Mrs. Dole, and Jenn Keck) for allowing us to embark on this wonderful adventure. Mom, my suitcase was 50 pounds, looks like I’m leaving some clothes for some roatanians ;). Nick, I have successfully not broke your go pro….yet…and to the whole familia I miss you all and love you mucho mucho!! Also, I would like to thank all of the commenters that have brought us such joy and I hope you all continue to comment as it makes us feel all a little bit of love. I can’t wait to hear more from everybody (even you marq) and will see you all soon! 

PPPS: The title comes from Aurora Klawinski. It was Mr. Dole's birthday and we had to come up with a catchy slogan, to thank him for all he does! Happy Birthday!!!

Thank you for all the comments.  The students and I look forward to reading them.  Hope more families can post soon!  More to come later tonight by student posters Sam & Carly

Miss Palmer

Long Day of Travel -Totally Worth It!

 Greetings Eagle Nation!  All travelers did very well including our first time flier, Rebekah Yoder

The heat felt wonderful walking out onto
  the tarmac! 

 Boat taxi over to Anthony's Key

Our first snorkel of the Key

Interesting fish

Here are a couple of photos from some deeper water critters...

A Yellowhead Jawfish broods his eggs in his mouth and periodically spits them out and back in to keep them well aerated. 

This Longlure Frogfish (rare in Roatan) extends his lure (little fuzzy ball on rod above mouth) to attract prey.

Bailey's Key

Bailey's Key is home to the dolphin program at Anthony's Key Resort.

Her Deepness, Sylvia Earle, named Women of the Year by Glamour Magazine

Sylvia Earle is a Woman of the Year because... "She is the face of marine biology. She has taken a lifetime to make herself an expert in a topic that is central to the future of human civilization." Click here for more about Sylvia.

HER WORDS TO LIVE BY: "I suggest to everyone: Look in the mirror. Ask yourself: Who are you? What are your talents? Use them, and do what you love." —Sylvia Earle, Ph.D., photographed in the Bahamas in the 1970s, with "Sandy," a dolphin she and her children repeatedly visited

We J.A.M.I.N.!

In early October Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation partnered with the University of the West Indies (UWI) Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory to launch a new project as part of our Education program. We called it (J.A.M.I.N.), which stands for Jamaica Awareness of Mangroves In Nature.

UWI Discovery Bay partner, Camilo Trench, leading students from Falmouth, Jamaica High School on a mangrove field trip. Click on J.A.M.I.N. above for the full story and some info on Black Mangroves, Avicennia germinans.

Symbiodinium thermophilum sp. nov.

Super Zooxanthellae found!

Researchers have discovered a new species of Symbiodinium sp whose maximum thermal tolerance is an incredible 36C/97F. The clade C3 zooxanthellae was found in stony corals of the Persian/Arabian Gulf, one of the hottest tropical seas in the world. See the whole article here.