Mirror Dimension

This was a journal group. A fish nerdy bunch of people from all over the states who bonded immediately over their love and curiosity of all animals and plants under the surface. Meal times were full of scribbling and searching through all the fish and creature ID books in our library. Actually, there were barely enough books to go around as everyone jumped in to get the first glimpse of all the wonders found during the dive. 

"This was going to be my last diving trip. I saw such decline in areas a usually dive. This trip has just renewed my faith!" - Mike

Day one deserves a whole paragraph by itself, as it set the tone for the trip.

Flat sea. The sea mounts were a whole other world, a mirror dimension. Almost like being inside a mirage. 

The morning started with pink colors and dolphins breaking the surface. 

The day was so calm and silent, when the (unidentified) whale broke the surface, you heard it before you saw it. Bigger than a pilot, not a sperm, votes go to a type of fin whale, yet the jury is still out. 

The reef on top of mount mutiny was perfectly reflected back to us underwater… two reefs in one while small silver fish were getting hunted by trevallies fusiliers and needlefish. 

Photo by Linda - flat amazing surface

Photo by David - Anemone fish!

Trip findings:

-the “strange anemone “that recently appeared at Cathedral is a Corallimorpharia. 

-The Randall shrimp goby is very appropriately named after Jack Randall. The goby is a flirt with its fin (I have mentioned this before) and myth states that Jack was a wee bit of a flirt as well.  

- With so many goby, blenny and dartfish sightings we had to easily explain the main way to recognize them for our “newest “divers: Gobies usually found near their whole or in sandy bottoms. Blennies are usually found perched or in corals, as well as holes in corals. Dart fish hover above their homes, and can even be seen “swimming” around (more darting really). In general... not always (don't come for me!)

-The ribbon eel at Tetons 3 is actually sharing its hole with another one. two blue and yellow ribbon eels hissing at us, so cat-like.

Photo by David - blue ribbon eels

- A huge eagle ray was observed on the ocean floor making a mess searching for food, definitely not the usual eagle ray encounter

-  We found around 5-7 zebra dartfish close by to the Arch. They have the cutest anime-like eyes!

- sap sucking slugs were found this time in Kansas! 

Photo by Pauline - sap sucking slug

Photo by Pauline - whip coral shrimp

Photo by Pauline - DAMSELFISH EGGS!

Photo by Susan - Pipe fish in an incredible angle

Photo by Susan- porcelain crab

Photo by Susan - pygmy sea horse

Photo by Joni - decorated dartfish

- Sponge crabs, devil scorpionfish, cauliflower anemone shrimp, peacock tail shrimp, squat shrimp, two banded shrimp, crinoid squat lobsters, crinoid shrimps… I mean the list goes on and on. 

- hammer heads, a bunch of skittish turtles, a nurse shark and a bunch of hunting grey sharks taking advantage of the strong currents, specifically at Maytag. 

Wakaya blessed us with four manta individuals, some seen three at a time at the main cleaning station. 

We were able to recognize Riley, Shirley and Django. The male manta is still unknown to us, no good tummy photos as he was shyer than his female counterparts. 

Photo by Paul S. 

Photo by Linda

Photo by Pauline - Ana is one of the photographers best subjects

“The best diving I've ever done. Amazing sea life and coral, as well as so many like minded nerdy fish people on board.”- Faye

“We were sitting on the sun deck before dinner telling each other how beyond expectations this trip has been!”- Mike & Linda

“The coral is what amazes me here. Especially at the top, some of the most pristine corals I’ve ever seen. Oh, and BEST FOOD EVER!”- Joy

“Even if there are not so many creatures you would find somewhere else, such as octopus, it is amazing. You have to be open to what Fiji offers; open to something new. The corals are amazing. I am deeply impressed by the subtle things underwater here in Fiji.”- Paul L. B. 

Photo by Pauline 

Photo by Pauline

Photo by Susan-Rainbow wall

“I've had experiences with mantas before, even in greater numbers. But I was never so close to a manta before; he was looking at me and I at him and we had a moment.” - Paul L. B. 

 “And the first time, I believe, seeing melanistic mantas; and three at the same time!”-Joy

Vinaka vakalevu everyone! 

It was a real pleasure!