We are cruising the north coast of Papua on Western New Guinea and could not be more excited! As we learn more about the region it really makes you realize what an amazing part of the world we're in.
The Coral Triangle, and we are headed for the very heart of it known as the Raja Ampat, the most biodiverse and richest marine community on the planet...WOW!!!
Yesterday was a full day of lectures held by the amazing expedition team and guest speakers onboard - Reefs, the Rainforest Under the Sea explained how this whole ecosystem works and thrives; Introduction to Indonesia taught us all about Indonesia as a whole, the people, history, political and religious significance as well as the various wildlife and marine life by each region. Sumatra and Borneo for it's critically endangered orangutans, tigers, rhinos and elephants, Papua for the Raja Ampat and Asmat, reefs and volcanoes. With over 18,000 islands Indonesia is certainly much more interesting than I realized before learning about it on this trip.
Alfred Wallace is said to be the forgotten explorer, back in the early to mid 1800's he ventured out collecting specimens and exploring new lands, he actually came up with the idea of evolution just as Darwin did, at one point while he was in this region he sent a letter back to Darwin in England explaining what he was finding, essentially a similar theory, but allowed Darwin to take all the glory. Quite interesting if you think how history as we know could of turned out had things unfolded differently.
The other cool thing I've learned about the Coral Triangle and why it's so biodiverse is the fact that during the ice age this is one of the areas that never froze over, so you have species that have been evolving for millions of years.
So much more to say but so little time between all the awesome things happening onboard so you'll have to pick my brain later.
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