An Atlantis resemblance: the sunken city of Kekova

Hidden just below the waters around Turkish island are the ruins of a once great city; the ancient Lycian sunken city of Simena, is often referred to as Kekova. The principle of a sunken city is that it lies underwater, and as a result, it is mostly invisible. But in Kekova some parts are barely submerged, and the crystal clear water on top gives them a mysterious touch. The city ruins clearly visible just a few meters underneath the waters of the Mediterranean. It’s a beautiful and tranquil place, with water a jeweled shade of blue. It’s also fragrant, as “Kekova” derives from the Turkish word for thyme. On top of the shoreline, further houses, a few Lycian tombs with their unique arched roofs, and the remains of an early church are able to be seen. The boat trip around Kekova is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful ones. Nature is stunning, history distinctly visible; therefore, a visit to Kekova is just one continuous astonishing moment.

The ancient city of Kekova was once of two parts - an island and a coastal part of the mainland. On the mainland the charming fishing village of Kaleköy ("castle village") stands today, their building mingling with ancient and medieval structures. The top of the village is dominated by a well-preserved castle built by the Knights of Rhodes partially upon ancient Lycian foundations. Inside the castle is the smallest amphitheater of Lycia. At the eastern end of the village is a Lycian necropolis with a cluster of some very nice sarcophagi overlooking the sea and surrounded by ancient olive trees. Near the harbor of Kaleköy is another sarcophagus, popping up from the water. Across the bay, along the island are the halfsubmerged ruins of the residential part of Kekova. Kekova is a long and narrow island. It’s a steeply built 500-meter-wide town, 7.5 km long, directly opposite of Kaleköy and Üçağız villages. In some parts of the

ulation exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923. island, which has a very steep hill of 188 meters in length, the depth of the water can reach 105 meters. The island is now uninhabited, occasionally a villager rows across to harvest the wild thyme that gives the island its name. Located near Demre district of Antalya on the Mediterranean Coast, the island is best reached by boat from the Demre Harbor in Cayagzi. Demre has an interesting history. It is the Lycian Town of Myra, home to St. Nick (or Santa Claus). Many Christian Greeks populated the area until the pop-

Since the historical studies have not been completed yet, the history of the island cannot be determined exactly. However, it has been observed that the characteristics here were formed during the Lycian period. Later, in the Hellenistic period, different building elements were added to the island. Kekova was never used as a settlement at any time in history. It did not carry the characteristics of a city like any other nearby ancient cities. With its fine, long structure, it has been evaluated as a breakwater protecting the ancient cities of Kaleköy and Üçağız against the waves. For this reason, a “dead sea” was formed just behind Kekova. Therefore, instead of being used as a city, Kekova undertook a shipyards function. Having served as shelter for marines for a long time in the Lycian era, Kekova was considered a base for intensive shipbuilding and repair. It was also used by the Byzantines as a military base for a while.

The ruins are along the northern shore of Kekova, partly submerged 6m below the sea and referred to as the Batık Şehir (Sunken City). They are the result of a series of severe earthquakes in the 2nd century AD; most of what visitors can still see is a residential part of the ancient site of Simena. Foundations of buildings, staircases, moorings and smashed amphorae are visible. The coastlines are rich in terms of archaeology. While it is possible to boat or kayak around the area, and dive nearby, under-water exploration has been banned since 1986 as part of a series of measures to protect the lost city’s heritage, something the Turkish government takes seriously. In 1990 the Turkish government declared Kekova Island and the surrounding region to be a Specially Protected Area, preserving it from further development. UNESCO also lists it as a “tentative” candidate for World Heritage status.

The only way to explore Kekova Island is from the water. The most popular time to visit Kekova Island is during the summer months, when lower water levels and higher visibility offer the best views of the underwater ruins. Visitors will find various options for boat cruises, kayaking excursions, and glass-bottom boat tours. A cruise to Kekova Island is a must for history buffs, especially those interested in Turkey's ancient ruins. The surrounding area offer quite enjoyable opportunities for daily boat trips. Typical boat tours range from hour-long excursions to fullday cruises that include lunch and snorkeling stops. Many travelers combine a cruise to Kekova Island with visits to nearby attractions such as the Myra ruins and the St. Nicholas Church in Demre. Excursions usually set out from the villages of Kalekoy, Ucagiz, and Kas. Apart from the beautiful sunken city in the iridescent turquoise waters, Kekova is also famous for its countless coves and bays as well as the Kaleköy village with its historic fortress. The waterfront restaurants adorned with flowers, the small houses with terracotta roofs, and narrow streets are also standouts in this idyllic village by the water. As for the fortress, it sits on the remains of another Lycian structure built by the Knights of Rhodes. A Hiking the Lycian Way Kekova Island is also one of many points of interest along the Lycian Way, a 315-mile (507kilometer) hiking trail that runs along the Mediterranean coast from Fethiye to Antalya is an epic path, taking an average of 29 days to trek, although it's also possible to enjoy shorter hikes along the route. Additional highlights include the Butterfly Valley, Patara Beach, and the top of Mt. Olympos.

Kekova is the one of main points in the yachting routes of Turkey (known as "Kekova Roads"). This territory since ancient times to the present day is considered to be very safe harbor for ships. The Roman pirates were approaching here in the past and today Kekova is a very popular anchorage for sailors who enjoy the history together with the nature.

Coral Adventurer. Built for adventure and crafted for comfort

Coral Adventurer launched in May 2019, the-state-of-the-art Coral Adventurer is the latest addition to the Coral Expeditions fleet and delivers a uniquely Australian expedition experience. Arrived in April 2019 to homeport in Darwin, Coral Adventurer is specially designed for expedition cruising. The Coral Adventurer provides a very comfortable base for exploration. The ship also has dedicated to scientific research facilities and equipment. Her stabilizers ensure smooth sailing, whilst her shallow draft and advanced navigation and propulsion systems allow access to areas that are simply unreachable by larger ships. The vessel is a new expedition cruise ship being built by Norwegian company Vard. It will be the fourth expedition cruise ship to join the Coral Expeditions’ fleet, which also includes Coral Discoverer, Coral Expeditions I and Coral Expeditions II. Vard was awarded a contract for construction of the vessel in September 2017. Being constructed at Vung Tau shipyard in Vietnam, the Coral Adventurer is the result of a happy marriage of modern shipbuilding technology and cruising, Australian style.

Coral Adventurer was purpose-built for the Australian cruise market. Coral Expeditions pioneered Kimberley Cruising back in 1996, and even now, over twenty years later, their ten night Darwin to Broome (and vice versa) expedition remains one of the most comprehensive adventures on the Kimberley Coast. Utilizing Coral Adventurer’s flexible range of excursion craft, passengers can expect to see all of the region’s highlights, from Montgomery Reef and world-famous Horizontal Falls through to King George and Mitchell Falls and Aboriginal art on Bigge Island and Raft Point. Coral Expeditions’ leaders and lecturers are acknowledged as some of the ‘best in the businesses and guests will appreciate their engaging personalities and outstanding local knowledgeable. These experts in their fields will ensure guests to truly know the Kimberley, its history, geology, wildlife and legends.

As a newest addition to the Kimberley cruising fleet, this 120-passenger ship is a culmination of two years of design and three decades of passion for expedition cruising Coral Adventurer delivers on the latest trends in expedition cruising, whilst maintaining Coral Expeditions’ unique blend of Australianservice and laid-back onboard atmosphere. At an overall length of 93.4m, a draught of 4.5m and gross weight of 5,536t, the Coral Adventurer offers all the flexibility and accessibility of much smaller ships, along with amenities and comforts anyone would expect to find on much larger vessels. Its interior spaces have been designed by Brisbanebased design firm Arkhefield, which drew inspiration from the company’s Australian roots and the exotic locations the ship will visit. There is also a wide selection of specially commissioned indigenous artworks in the ship’s common areas.

The ship Coral Adventurer was designed for ocean cruising to more isolated and shallower tropical destinations. The boat conforms to the highest maritime standards for operational redundancy, build quality, environmental compliance and safety. One of the unique features on this shallow-drafted ship is its tendering system, allowing passenger tendering (embarkation or disembarkation) within just 20 min. Through hydraulic lifts, tenders (aka "Xplorer" / 65-passenger aluminum boats) are lifted out of the water, making boarding/de-boarding operations more efficient, without the need of gangways, ramps or stairs. Built for discovery, the shallow draft of the ship enables the ship to go closer to shore in comfort and with no difficulty. Another best feature on the vessel is the elevator. The elevator accesses the main decks of the vessel comfortably, accommodating four to six people. These two features ensure that everyone can move about the ship and join in on all the activities with ease.

Travelers interested in Coral Adventurer’s inner workings are invited to take an engine room tour. On select Indonesia and Pacific Island departures, those interested in the native cuisine may accompany a chef on a market tour. Coral Adventurer’s six Zodiacs are raised and lowered from the Bridge Deck, enabling more intrepid exploration. On select Indonesia and Pacific Island departures, kayaks and/or a -bottom boat are also on board.

Cabins and Deck Plan Aboard

Coral Adventurer’s 58 staterooms and two suites are a spacious and stylish ‘home away from home’, with more than 50% featuring their own private balconies. No matter which stateroom grade is selected, passengers will enjoy a choice of Junior King or twin beds, a comfortable sofa, air-conditioning and well-appointed private en suite. Coral Adventurer features one suite category and four stateroom categories, all outside and above deck with portholes or view windows and en suite bathrooms. All cabins are serviced daily with optional laundry service available at an added fee. All staterooms are

twin share and feature Australian decorations that complement the informal yet upscale atmosphere found throughout the ship. Common to all cabins are a wardrobe, desk, arm chair and ample storage space.

Entertainment facilities on Coral Adventurer

Coral Adventurer will feature a large dining area as well as multiple bars. The full-capacity (single-seating) dining room restaurant is furnished with communal "wine table" topped with Australian stone. The restau-

rant serves buffet breakfast and lunch, along with multi-course table d’hote dinners. Meals are prepared with Australian produce and many locally-sourced (itinerary-based) ingredients. Dietary requirements or restrictions are catered to with 2 weeks’ notice. The wine list is an abbreviated selection which reflects the variety of Australian wine. Australian and New Zealand spirits are also offered, including barrels of slowly ageing Tasmanian single-malt whiskey.

A lecture lounge will be available with multimedia systems presenting daily expedition updates, tour briefings and media presentations. The vessel will also have an onboard library with materials about the destinations and wildlife. All off-ship excursions are accompanied by the expedition team. A navigator lounge in the bridge deck will serve as a good viewpoint of the ship operations for the guests. A multipurpose space, the Barralong Room, will operate as part of an ongoing partnership with the Australian Geographic Society and institutional partners to host interpretive activities and projects that connect guests in an engaging format throughout their cruise.

Coral Adventurer itineraries

Coral Expeditions itineraries feature cruises around deserted islands and pristine reefs in destinations not popular for day trippers and large liners. Company's Great Barrier Reef (Coral Sea) itineraries depart from the Queensland ports Darwin to Cairns. The cruise ship embarked on her inaugural voyage from Singapore on 24 April 2019. It initially sailed on a 19-day voyage from Singapore to Darwin, followed by an 11day journey in Darwin. It then sailed on a 26-day voyage between Cairns and Darwin, where passengers

had an option to disembark in Wewak. It also sailed on an 18-day voyage from Darwin to Singapore, covering popular destinations such as the Thousand Islands, and national parks Karimun Jawa and Pulau Moyo. MS Coral Adventurer itinerary program is based on Asia-Pacific cruises to Kimberley region, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and South Pacific Islands.

Ship's itinerary program for 2020 includes Spice Islands, Komodo and Krakatau (Indonesia), Pulau Alor. Two transition cruises leave from Darwin (17-day to Singapore, January 15) and the reverse from Singapore (18-day to Darwin, departure February 2). In the Coral Expeditions 2021 program were added new Coral Adventurer itineraries visiting the East Indies (Southeast Asia). New destinations included Indonesia's Misool Island (Raja Ampat), Alor Island (Lesser Sunda Islands), Buton Island (Sulawesi), Lamalera (Lembata Island, East Nusa Tenggara), Kelimutu volcano (Flores Island, Indonesia), Banda Neira (Banda Islands), Lembeh Island (North Sulawesi), Bunaken Island (Bunaken National Marine Park). Some of the itinerary options included: 10-day "Island Realms of the East Indies" (Darwin NT Australia to Benoa Bali) 10-day "Ancient Kingdoms of the East Indies" (Benoa Bali to Singapore) 12-day "Raja Ampat and Spice Islands" 14-day "Into the Wilds of Borneo" 14-day "In the Wake of the Makassans" 20-day "Circumnavigation of Sulawesi"

Sunbathing Sunfish

Known as the heaviest bony fish in the entire world, the ocean sunfish or commonly known as Mola has earned some bad reputations for being the weirdest looking ocean creature. However, this animal has so many unique characteristics which include sunbathing! Also known as Mola mola, ocean sunfish appeared between 45 and 35 million years ago, after the dinosaurs disappeared and at a time when whales still had legs. Mola comes from a Latin word which means millstone that refers to the fish’s disc-like physique. It also carries different name as another reference to its shape: moonfish. In other countries, i.e., Dutch, its common name is maanvis, in Portuguese its peixe lua, Poisson lune in French, and pez luna in Spanish. In Germany, this strange looking animal is known as Schwimmender Kopf or swimming head, while in Polish, it is called samoglow, meaning head alone or only head as they believe it has no true tail. It is called sunfish as this animal loves sunbathing at the surface of the water and looks like dead fish lying on their sides, sometimes flapping their dorsal fin. This sunbathing is common activities for them after diving in the deepest parts of the ocean to hunt for prey. It is to reheat the body after diving deep in the water. Sadly, ocean sunfish are prone to infestation by parasites, thus other reason for sunbathing is to attract seabirds from above or fish from below to clean their skin of parasites. This solitary animal can also be found in groups when being cleaned by other fish. Ocean sunfish has rough texture and rounded body with a sparkle gray color. Its distinctive figure is literally at their head as it resembles a fish head with a tail and its main body is flattened. This largest teleost in the ocean has small mouth with a beak-like tooth plate in each jaw with pointed pharyngeal teeth to chomp on jellyfishes. When its dorsal and ventral fins extended, ocean sunfish will be highly tall due to the long-shape body.

Molas can be found in the temperate and tropical regions of Mediterranean, Atlantic, India and Pacific Oceans. They often been caught during the summer months like June and July where the water temperatures are between 13°C and 17°C. They are migrating to higher latitude during the spring

and summer months to feed on migrating zooplankton. Their movement is unique as it has no common tail. As they are lacking in tail, they depend on the powerful dorsal and anal fins for agile propulsion. They flap their fins in a synchronous motion to allows them to swim on their side. They even jump out of the water in an apparent effort to detach parasites. They have been found diving below the thermocline during the day to avoid predators. This dependable animal might dive up to 2600 feet and usually hang out at 160 to 650 feet depths. Sunfish is a predator that feds on small fishes, larvae, squids, and crustaceans. Nearly over 1/7 of Mola mola’s diet is basically sea jellies and salps, once thought to be the primary pray of this gigantic animal. They are considered as strategic top-down control of jellyfish population which can influence the direct occurrence of jellyfish blooms. Mola juveniles have always been caught by California sea lions in Monterey Bay. Their natural predators are those top ocean hunters such as sea lions, killer whales, and sharks. Sunfish have quite similarities with pufferfish, porcupinefish and filefish that comes from the order Tetradontiformes.

They can grow up to 10 feet long with 5,000 pounds. They are exactly heavier than SUV car! The body shape of this largest bony fish is compressed ovular which can reach 3.1 m in length and 4.26 m in height. They are scale-less, have thick and rubbery skin with irregular patches of tubercles over their body. They have white belly and sometimes with white splotches on their fins and dorsal side. Female Molas are known to be bigger than males. Females’ can produce more eggs compared to any other known vertebrate like hagfish, lampreys, cartilaginous and bony fish. They can lay up to 300 million at a time. Ocean sunfish is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most eggs. It is believed that they have multiple spawners as oocytes in the ovaries was developed in different stages. Ocean sunfish development consists of two larval stages. The most important part is the first tetradon-like stage where the larvae are round, and spines protrude from the edges of their body. During this moment, they have well-developed tail. Later, the second larval stage bring the tail completely absorbed which make the spines disappear. Larvae size is only 0.25cm in length and grown at a logical rate, average 0.02 to 0.42 kg/day. There are limited resources regarding the reproduction of ocean sunfish, but best believed that they have paired courtship. Some individuals are certain spawning in the Sargasso Sea. Their eggs are very small, with an average diameter of 0.13 cm. Research found in Japan that the spawning activity is thought to occur between August and October. Their growth rate, lifespan, reproductivity remains undetermined and mystery.

In the meantime, ocean sunfish is considered a delicacy in some other parts of countries including Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. In European countries, the government has banned the sale of fish and fishery products which derived from the family Molidae as they often been caught in gillnets. The bizarre fact of the ocean sunfish is that they have been used as payment for taxes by Japanese shoguns. In addition, they also used in Chinese medicine and contain the same toxin as puffers and porcupine fish. There is no known shelf life of the ocean sunfish, yet a member of the same family, sharp-tail mola have a lifespan of 82 to 105 years. It is difficult to captive this animal in an aquarium as it has high demanding requirements for care. Molas are something of a star at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the only facility in North America which exhibiting the bizarre looking fish. For instance, the Kaiyukun Aquarium in Osaka, the Lisbon Oceanarium in Portugal, and Denmark Nordsoen Oceanarium have exhibiting the interesting animal to the public which gain more attractions than sharks. In Kamogawa Sea World, an ocean sunfish named Kukey, started captivity in 1982, holds a world record of 2,993 days living for eight years with 187cm in size at the time of death.

In Southern California, 29% of the catch belongs to ocean sunfish when targeting swordfish. Ocean sunfish are considered vulnerable like cheetahs, polar bears, and giant pandas. They are friendly to humans and not many consider them a delicacy, hence the biggest threats are due to boat hit or being caught in fishing gear. Most of this creature is shy yet can be frequently seen swimming with divers in some locations.

Bermuda Islands, much more than the mystifying triangle

Known as the "Isle of Devils,” the string of islands of Bermuda, is a history-filled paradise as a welcoming stepping-stone in the Atlantic. The unfortunate nickname came from tales of eerie spirits inhabiting the islands— now thought to be the loud indigenous callings of howling winds (thanks in part to its sometime stormy weather) and wild birds encircling treacherous ring of coral reef (most likely the Bermuda Petrel or Cahow) that tormented many approaching ships. Certainly, the impression of being haunted was attached, but the reality in the Bermuda is 180 degrees different: bathed in the balmy turquoise waters of the Sargasso Sea, the archipelago is ringed by treacherous reefs that make it one of the world's top diving destinations. First discovered by Spanish explorer Juan de Bermúdez in the early 1500s, Bermuda became a strategic site for ships sailing between Europe and the New World. The islands’ treacherous reefs and occasional stormy conditions prevented many from considering visiting, never mind settling. But that is until the fateful day in 1609 when Sir George Somers and the crew of the British ship Sea Venture wrecked on the reef off Bermuda's shores on its way to Jamestown, Virginia in the aftermath of a hurricane and decided to stay. Within three years, Bermuda became a British territory, and it has remained one to this day.

When you hear 'Bermuda', your mind may immediately drift to a mysterious place called the Bermuda Triangle. Make no mistake, Bermuda Islands meant here is an island nation of 65,000 people in the waters of the North Atlantic. The state is located about 1,050 km east of North Carolina, United States. Yes, indeed, the name 'Bermuda Triangle' itself cannot be separated from the state of Bermuda - the enigmatic 'triangle' is

formed from imaginary lines between Bermuda, Miami in Florida, and Puerto Rico. Although often thought of as a single island country, Bermuda consists of 181 islands of which 7 of them are the main islands that are grouped and connected to each other by bridges. Bermuda's largest island called Main Island —where the capital city Hamilton is located— extends up to 22.5 km with a width of 1.6 km. About three-fifths of the total population of Bermuda Islands are native Africans or half-bloods. They were immigrants from the West Indies, Cape Verdeans, as well as descendants of slaves brought from Africa before the abolition of slavery in 1807. Meanwhile, the Caucasian people (of European descent) make up one third of the total population, including those of British, American, and Portuguese descent. Bermuda Islands relies heavily on the tourism sector. As a matter of fact, today, tourism is its second-largest industry. Despite its remote location, according to a report done by the Bermuda tourism authority, Bermuda welcomed over 808,000 visitors in 2019. This was the third consecutive year of exceeding previous tourism numbers, with cruise ships being the main source of tourism. The islands, shaped like a fishhook, are especially famed for the beauty and uniqueness of its pink beaches. The pink sand is formed from the collision of coral and shells. Indeed, its capital Hamilton, is a vision of pastel houses to match the famous pink beaches such as the Horseshoe Bay. Surrounded by sparkling blue, the waters in Bermuda are warm due to the location of the archipelago which is between tropical and subtropical climates. Another worth mentioning beach is the Tobacco Bay, where snorkelling is the main attraction. If you are visiting Bermuda between March and April, you are in extra luck for a once-in-a-lifetime experience as this is the time when there is plenty of sea life to experience such as a whale-watching, and they are always putting on a show. If you are more into a challenge, going underground to see the 62 meters deep Crystal and Fantasy Caves is worth a try. These massive underground caves were discovered by two young cricket players in 1907. But the most exceptional exploration adventure in Bermuda Islands comes with the diving spots of the sunken shipwrecks that is also used for coral reefs planting. Bermuda is different from most other island nations due to its stately demeanour. The archipelago is the oldest continually populated British settlement in the world. Thus, various historical sites with deep colonial heritage and stunning colonial architecture that witness the development of the archipelagic country can be found surrounded by fortifications. One of them is St. Fort. Catherine which is located in St. George, a UNESCO world heritage site. St. George retains the charm of its earliest days in the 1600s. Many of the buildings there are still stand strong today, including the Old Rectory and the Old State House, as well as the oldest Anglican Church that still in continuous use, St. Peters. The church was built in 1620, inside you will find an altar carved in 1615 by Bermuda’s first governor and a throne that is believed to have been salvaged from a shipwreck. You can also visit the National Museum of Bermuda opened in 1974. Despite its tiny size, the museum displays exhibit on the history of the islands, especially it is maritime history, dating back to more than 500 years ago. Additionally, Bermuda is known for having

more golf courses per acre than any other place on Earth, used for professional tournaments where famous golfers like Adam Scott, Bubba Watson and Tiger Woods have teed off. There is no better way to soak up the Bermuda sun than playing a round of golf on one of its five golf courses.

No matter your interests, company, or abilities, from historical wonders to natural beauty, Bermuda has it all. The islands have something to offer everyone. There are endless adventures, landscapes to explore, nature to experience, and mouth-watering cuisine to be enjoyed. The island nation is one of those islands that are truly beautiful year-round and is known for being a relatively safe country, in fact, it is much safer than the US. Crime is rare and the people are extremely welcoming and friendly. You could visit any month. However, there are less busy times of the year, such as the off-season in the winter months. The majority of people will visit Bermuda during the summer. But if you are coming without a cruise, the best time to visit is late spring, between April and May before the busy tourist season begins. Even though the islands of Bermuda are located about a thousand miles east of the Caribbean, these isolated islands are still considered to be in "Hurricane Alley" and are vulnerable to powerful storms. The probability of a hurricane making a direct hit is very unlikely since Bermuda is so small, but it is common for at least one storm per season to get dangerously close. The cruise liners will have sailings at the perfect months for the best weather. There are three cruise ports in Bermuda. The Royal Navy Dockyard is the largest with two piers, “Kings Wharf,” and “Heritage Wharf.” Hamilton Port is in the capital area of Hamilton and is the closest dock to the busy areas of Bermuda. St. Georges Port is located on St Georges Harbour, at the eastern end of Bermuda, however, this port can only take small to medium-sized ships.

Photo: Cruise ship docked at one of the piers in Bermuda via Shutter Stock

Cetaceans stranding: humans are partly to blame

Cetacean stranding, more commonly referred to as beaching, refers to the phenomenon of dolphins and whales stranding themselves on beaches. Its recently reported that worldwide, about 2,000 whales and dolphins die from stranding every year, with most resulting in the death of the animal. Some whale and dolphin species are more prone to mass beaching. Toothed whales (include dolphins, porpoises, and all whales with teeth) are the most commonly affected. When they are stranded, they will experience severe dehydration, overheating, depression and suffocation. Their very heavy body makes it difficult for them to return to the sea. New Zealand and neighbouring Australia are hotspots for mass whale stranding, thanks to large colonies of pilot whales living in the deep oceans surrounding both island nations. In Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania, the most recent mass stranding involved approximately 470 pilot whales In September 2020. At least 380 had died, and only 20 remained well enough to rescue. But the largest mass stranding in modern recorded history was 1,000 whales on the shores of the Chatham Islands, a New Zealand territory in the Pacific Ocean in 1918. There have also been cases of cetacean single stranded on shore after being previously injured in a collision with a boat, fishing net, or shark attack. The wound then became infected and made the animal

Pilot whales stranded at Farewell Spit on February 10, 2017 ©Anthony Phelps/Reuters sick. Another factor that might cause this could also be because they took shelter from other larger predators up to shallow water. Or

as they ventured too far into shallow areas when hunting for prey. However, the stranding of these mammals that resulted in mass deaths is a complex story related to the disruption of the navigation system when they swim, both by nature and human activities.

Like migratory birds, some species of cetacean also travel large distances each year. In winter, they migrate from the cold northern seas to the warmer waters of the south. Vice versa, whales and dolphins in southern waters will move north in the same season. It was only a few months later that they would begin their return journey. How do they navigate their long migratory journey? Small-toothed whales such as dolphins have powerful underwater sonar. On the way, they will emit sound waves in the form of clicking sounds. When these sound waves hit an object, they are reflected back as echoes to their ears. The faster the sound returns, the closer prey, obstacles, or shore are. This sonar also keeps the whales from stranded on the beach. However, in the case of large baleen whales, underwater sonar is not as sophisticated as that of small-toothed whales. Under certain circumstances, underwater sonar may not function properly, especially if there are shallow or semi-circular bays, sandy underwater ©Liz Carlson embankments, or mud banks. This type of beach and obstacles makes the echo received by the whales unclear, so the warning system on the whale fails. Other types of whales, such as pilot whales, do not just use underwater sonar to navigate −small fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field function like map. They depend on the Earth's magnetic field lines, as their migration routes are often parallel to those lines. Significant changes to the Earth's magnetic field causing by solar storms and the increasing activity of sunspot is believed to be the caused of their navigational errors resulting them to get lost and stranded. However, all these reasons have not been studied in depth. For example, in relation to the social behaviour of many species of whales, which roam in groups and are guided by a leader. The strong social bonding of some species of whales can cause mass stranding. Whales that strand in groups are usually deep-water species with highly evolved social structures. When the leader loses orientation, due to confusion or parasite attacks his ears, it is unable to hear the echo of the clicking sound that is sent. And unfortunately, the party behind it will follow in the wrong direction. If the leader of the group were stranded in shallow water, the members of its group would follow, even when it meant death. In addition to natural factors, underwater noise resulting from human activities (such as: sounds from ships, icebreakers, drilling activity, or military sonar equipment) also interferes with the navigation of whales and dolphins, causing them to be disoriented and eventually stranded. In the ocean the speed of sound propagation can reach 1,500 meters per second, about four times faster than the propagation of sound in air. For some marine biota such as whales, dolphins, and even small invertebrates such as shrimp, crabs, and sea urchins, they use sound to get food, to communicate, and to regulate themselves to maintain group relationships, all of which are basically done to survive in the ocean. According to research by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the biggest source of noise pol-

lution in the oceans comes from the activities of submarine sonar test

systems, oil company ships at sea, and traffic from cargo ships. Another study was also conducted by NOAA by sending a microphone to the deepest ocean floor, namely the Mariana Trench with a depth of 10,984 meters below sea level which shows that the seabed is not silent. Loud noise in the ocean has become a major conservation concern as humans introduce sounds of varying intensities and frequencies into the marine environment from different technologies and even explosions. Seaquakes are another source of intense underwater sound and those might also lead to physical damage or behaviour resulting in stranding, although no one has yet produced a statistical link between the two. Although completely inaudible to the human ear, ocean noise pollution causes serious problems that will continue to grow. Imagine being a sea animal that must communicate amid noise but cannot do anything to stop it. Disruption to the way whales and dolphins communicate is a hindrance to their efforts to survive, so it is time to take steps to resolve this global crisis. It was reported in 1995 that the New Zealand's Department of Conservation (DoC) was looking at two lines of research for directing pilot whales away from potential stranding areas. In January, a bubble net or "air curtain" was used for the first time in Golden Bay. This comprised air compressors and a perforated hose which was draped two or three metres below the surface. The bubble "wall" acted as a barrier and reflected the whale’s sonar back to them. It had reasonable success in turning whales at sea, but once the whales discovered the wall was an illusion then its effectiveness was reduced. It was a mixed success, possibly useful as a short-term measure. In future the bubble net is likely to be most effective in herding refloated whales out to sea after a stranding. The second avenue that DoC was investigating was to use the same mechanism that draws so many whales onto the shore in the first place - the animal's own distress signals. DoC was hoping to record pilot whale distress calls and use the recordings to attract refloated whales away from danger areas. And what to do if you find a live stranded or injured whale, dolphin, or porpoise on the beach or in the shallows? Stranded cetacean usually does not have much time. They must be helped immediately by cooling their bodies and keeping them moist by constantly dousing them with water. At the same time, push them as quickly and gently as possible into deeper waters so they can swim again. Some whale rescuers suggest that if the leader of a pod is put to sea, then the other whales will follow. The problem here is that it is usually impossible to read the social dynamics of any pod. As pilot whales are socially matriarchal, the leader will usually be female, but it is difficult to identify the leader of a pod. There may be more than one, the pod may have several subgroups within it, and the leader will not necessarily be at the front.

Beached dolphins in Chah-e Mobarak, Jask (October 2007)

Tobago, a truly authentic Caribbean

Covering an area of 300 km² and is approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) long and 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) wide, Tobago is the smaller, sleepier, more rustic, and less populated twin island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. Although considered one country, there are so many differences between the two islands. Travelers often overlook Tobago for its better-known twin, Trinidad — but this tiny island is a true Caribbean gem. Like its southern sister island, Tobago was also discovered by Columbus, however, unlike most other islands in the Caribbean, there was never a serious attempt at colonization, although Britain, France, the Netherlands and even Latvia fought for the right to own the island for centuries. In 1888, Tobago joined Trinidad and became a self-governing territory within the British West Indies Federation. In the early 60s, Tobago, together with Trinidad, sought the right of internal selfgovernment, and in 1962, the two islands received complete independence. As a volcanic origin, Tobago is primarily hilly and mountainous. The southwest of the island is flat and consists largely of coralline limestone. More than a third of Tobago's population lives in its administrative center - Scarborough, which is also the island's main port. Laid-back Scarborough is the perfect jumping off point to explore the island, but it also offers plenty of ways to leisurely spend away the day. The town lies in the foothills with a lighthouse and an old English fort built in 1779. For a long time, Tobago was practically unknown to tourists but recently it is developing at an incredible speed, showing an almost double the number of guests every year. The island is intimate, the culture is chill, the locals are friendly, and it’s very easy to get around. Picture ©Patrizia Cocca Although it’s not as developed as its Caribbe-

an cousins, the untouched nature of Tobago has helped the island's tourism industry to grow very actively, and this is not surprising - Its north coast is full of secluded coves and virgin forests waiting to be explored, and its south coast unlocks incredible snorkel and dive sites, including Buccoo Reef, Flying Reef, and Bon Accord Lagoon. And because it’s not yet a tourist town, the food caters to the locals—meaning you’re not getting watered-down resort fare. You’ll find spicey and chile-laden goat curry spots, as well as Italian food in tree houses, excellent takeout kebab, and freshly grilled seafood served beachside. Tobago is hot and humid all year round with an average temperature of about 27ºC. In this tropical climate, rain is possible at any time, although the wet season is generally thought to run from the end of May to November. Most visitors go to the island between December and April. During these months, the magic of carnival is everywhere, the trees are in full bloom and the weather is at its most forgiving with long hours of sunshine, very little rain and cool nights. Tobago is so low-key that there are essentially no travel books available on the country. Despite that, there's no shortage of things to do on the unspoilt island of Tobago no matter what type of Caribbean holiday you're looking for. Here are the very best reasons why Tobago is the perfect holiday destination for you:

Spend a chill day at the beach

The beaches in Tobago are pristine—you can’t go wrong making a pit stop at whatever beaches you spot in your area. The most popular is Mount Irvine Beach, adjacent to a golf course and known for its excellent surfing. Englishman’s Bay is another good option, a crescentshaped of soft yellow sand and deep blue water where you can spot leatherback turtles chilling on the sands. If you’re looking for hidden treasure, drive 45 minutes up to Castara, a tiny but stunning spot with gorgeous views of the forests below.

Visit Pigeon Point Heritage Park

Pigeon Point, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea, is the most photographed spot in Tobago. The powdery white sandy beach and the calm turquoise water with a backdrop of palm trees swaying in the breeze draw crowds of locals and tourists alike. This family-friendly enclave offers multiple activities in one spot—there are cute little shops, lots of great cafes for snacking, and a lifeguard-tended beach area, complete with a highly Instagram-able thatched-roof jetty.

Go around Buccoo Reef

Book a glass-bottom boat from Pigeon Point Heritage Park, and you can spend a day going around Buccoo Reef, a designated marine park containing hundreds of colorful species of fish and coral (Jacques Cousteau named it the third most spectacular reef in the world). There are loads to see, so it’s the ideal spot to go snorkeling. Make sure your boat makes a stop at the surreal Nylon Pool, a one-meter-deep en-

clave in the middle of the reef whose sheer waters and white sand prompted Britain’s Princess Margaret to name the pool after her nylon stockings.

Experience magical underwater world at Speyside

Buffeted by Atlantic currents, the Speyside area on the island’s north-eastern edge is the place to experience the best of Tobago’s famous drift diving. Here, currents propel you effortlessly along the rich sloping reefs that surround the area’s offshore islands. Speyside offers divers the best visibility in Tobago. It’s home to the island’s most impressive coral, as well as offering the best chances of spotting hawksbill turtles, nurse sharks and even the elusive manta rays. Snorkel Over Unspoiled Coral Reefs The coral reefs found just off the coast at Speyside, Charlotteville, and Castara are as good as you’ll find anywhere in the Caribbean. You don’t have to venture very far offshore before you see massive manta rays, colorful parrot, angel, damsel, and butterfly fish, majestic sharks, and even the odd turtle. Spend hours exploring this spectacular underwater world.

Surf at Mount Irvine Beach

From November to February, the big breakers at Mount Irvine Beach make it the perfect spot for surfing. Enthusiasts from all over the world are drawn here for the relaxed vibe and challenging conditions. The water is initially shallow and there is a reef directly offshore. The skill is not just in catching a wave, but in negotiating your way in so as not to damage your surf fin on the coral. No protective footwear is allowed. This is to stop over-eager surfers jumping in and damaging the coral. For non-surfers, Mount Irvine Beach offers excellent swimming all year round. There are showers and changing facilities, as well as a bar/ restaurant which serves ice-cold drinks and simple lunches.

Hike through the Tobago Forest Reserve

As the oldest protected forest reserve in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is the spot to go on a hike in Tobago. 14,000 acres were designated a protected Crown Reserve by the British in 1776. This was thanks to scientist Stephen Hales who feared that plantation owners were encroaching into the forest and endangering the entire eco-system of the island. The main trek is short and accessible, weaving through a few miles of untouched forest. It’s worth hiring a trained guide who can point out the various herbs, spices, and native fruit trees that are abundant throughout the trail. The hike ends at Argyle Falls, where you can lounge in natural rock tubs surrounded by idyllically green trees.

Take a Trip to Little Tobago

Little Tobago, aka ‘Bird of Paradise Island’, is a 2km² rocky outcrop off eastern coast of Tobago. It has long been a bird-watchers dream. David Attenborough no less, filmed parts of his ‘Trials of Life’ series

Giant squid: the ghost of the Deep

For thousand years, Architeuthis, or most well known as the giant squid, has captured human imagination. They were identified as sea monsters or viewed as a fanciful part of maritime lore. For a long time, people who spotted them floating, dead at sea or washed up on shorelines could not figure out what they were. Rare glimpses of this colossal sea creature inspired both fear and fascination. People produced fantastic explanations for what their astonished eyes saw—or thought they saw. Movies, books, and popular myths highlighted encounters with this enormous, hungry sea creature brandishing many tentacles. Even science fiction writers have gotten in on the act. In Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Jules Verne describes a giant squid that is distinctly kraken-like. It "could entangle a ship of five thousand tons and bury it into the abyss of the ocean." It turns out that the giant squid of myth is not a beast at all. Only since the late 19th century has The Kraken illustration Credit Nikoretro Flickr sufficient scientific prove accumulated to replace the myths with fact. The giant squids are deep-ocean dwellers, making them difficult study subjects. They are elusive and rarely observed alive, but are famous for their immense size, growing up to 43 ft (13 m) in length and weighing up to 606 lb (275 kg). Indeed, the giant squid is one of the largest known invertebrate species living today, second only to the colossal squid. There is some debate about the number of varied species of giant squid. However, the most recent genetic evidence suggests that there is only one known species, Architeuthis dux. One hypothesis for how giant squid evolved to grow so enormous is that the tremendous size leaves it with

few predators in the deep water. However, those predators still exist—most notably the sperm whale. Scientists have found giant squid beaks, as well as other undigested pieces of giant squid, in the stomachs of sperm whales. Additionally, beach-stranded sperm whales have been found with sucker marks on their skin, battle scars large enough that only a giant squid could have caused them. Giant squid are thought to swim in the ocean worldwide, based on the beaches they have washed upon. However, they are rarely found in tropical and polar areas. They commonly wash up on the shores of New Zealand and Pacific islands; make frequent appearances on the east and west sides of the Northern Atlantic, and the South Atlantic along the southern coast of Africa. In late 1873, Reverend Moses Harvey of Newfoundland, an amateur naturalist and writer with an intense interest in curiosities from the sea, bought a dead giant squid for $10 from a fisherman who caught it by accident. Harvey immediately displayed it in his living room, draping the head and arms over the sponge bath for easy observation. It was the first complete giant squid specimen ever put on display, and it became a turning point in the understanding of giant squid. Professor A.E. Verrill of Yale University used Harvey’s “curiosity” to provide the first accurate description and scientific illustration of the giant squid. After years of searching, in 2012, a group of scientists from Japan's National Science Museum along with colleagues from Japanese public broadcaster NHK and the Discovery Channel recorded the first video of a giant squid swimming in its natural habitat, off Japan’s Ogasawara archipelago. For that expedition, the team developed a new camera system called Medusa. It employs red light, which most sea creatures cannot see, and, at the end of a mile-long plastic line, an optical lure in the form of a ring of LED lights that resembles a bioluminescent jellyfish. The species was first recorded live in 2006, after researcher suspended bait beneath a research vessel off the Ogasawara Islands to try and hook a giant squid. As the camera whirred, the research team pulled a 24-foot (7-meter) squid to the surface alive enabling people around the world to finally see a living, breathing giant squid. Seven years after scientists caught the elusive deep-sea cephalopod on video, they saw another, and it was on the Medusa’s fifth deployment. At first, the animal stayed on the edge of the screen, suggesting that a squid was stalking the LED bait, pacing

This 1874 photo of a squid draped over a bathtub was the first ever taken of a giant squid- It be- alongside it. And then the entire creature emerged longed to the Reverend Moses Harvey of Newfoundland-(From Verrill, A.E., 1882, Report on the from the center of the dark screen: a long, undulating Cephalopods animal that suddenly opened into a mass of twisting

arms and tentacles. Two reached out and made a grab for the lure. For a long moment, the squid seemed to explore the strange non-jellyfish in puzzlement. And then it was gone, shooting back into the dark. Deep-sea researchers frequently point out that science knows less about the still largely unexplored deep waters beyond human vision than it does about the surface of Mars. The giant squid has long been an exemplar of this reality: a gigantic creature, yet known to humans only because dead specimens washed ashore or huge squid beaks were found in the stomachs of sperm whales, the animals’ primary predator. The new video, recorded at a depth of 759 meters, in a spot where the ocean bottom lies at 2,200 meters, offers rare and useful clues to the animal’s habitat and hunting methods. Still, scientists have little idea how the species as a whole is faring, especially as the oceans it calls home are rapidly warming and acidifying. But the new video sighting, brief as it is, joins the 2012 footage as an enormous addition to the limited knowledge of giant squids: a tiny glimpse into how a famous but mysterious creature lives in a world that is usually beyond our sight. After over 150 years since it was first sighted by the HMS Daedalus, the mysterious creature still eludes scientists. There is still little known about their daily behavioral or social patterns, eating habits, where or how often they mate or where they travel on a typical day or year. But one thing for sure, giant squid is clearly not quite the scary monster they have been painted as. They only attack their direct prey, and are not naturally aggressive to human beings. This magnificent creature is more the gentle giant.

Head taxidermist at the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, Christophe Gottini, carries out restoration work

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