Friday, October 30, 2015

 

Bora Bora Bits

Here's some more photos from our day in Bora Bora, 2 years ago (search Bora Bora for earlier posts). Top left is the view of the island as the ship approaches the entry through the reef into the lagoon. The colour difference between the deep ocean water and the shallow lagoon is very pretty. You can see the large reef that circles the main island the smaller motus, also a couple of small boats that were out fishing beyond the reef. Bottom left is part of the port area of Vaitape. It is actually the only big area of paved road in the town. The thing that looks like a big thatched tent is the waiting area for passengers on inter-island ferries. The flag is the French Polynesian one, flying from the administration building. Mt Otemanu, remnant core of an extinct volcano is the most striking part of the scene. I found a couple of interesting things in the shopping street. First was the police station, it was labelled "Gendamerie Nationale, Brigade de Bora Bora". I would have liked to see what it was like inside the building, but got stuck trying to climb over the picket fence. Just up the road from the Gendamerie was a large mango tree. I was climbing up to sample the fruit when I met a stranger doing the same thing. His name was George and he was a German rat, also on vacation. We had a great time exchanging stories, but.... you guessed it... those hands are those of an Oldie who didn't understand that fruit on trees outside fences belongs to any small critter who can climb up to it. I wonder where George is now?

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Tuesday, October 20, 2015

 

Top Telescopes

One of the highlights of our trip to Hawaii, back in October 2013, was the visit to Mauna Kea Observatory. This huge collection of telescopes is at the top of the tallest mountain in the world, measured from its base on the sea floor to the summit. The mountain is an old volcano, hopefully extinct. It should be OK, because the Hawaiian islands are drifting north over a hot spot in the Earth's crust, and have been formed when the hot spot is volcanically active. Hawaii, the big island, is still growing as lava is still flowing from the vents on Mauna Loa, the mountain to the south of the observatory. You can see the results of old eruptions as you drive up the road. The landscape is what you could imagine the Moon or Mars looking like. I had a bit of trouble seeing things at the top because the Oldies kept getting in the way. Fortunately, somebody had put in a line of stakes that I could climb to see over the obstructions. In the picture I am looking towards the largest telescopes in the world (at present; there are bigger ones being built). The most interesting telescope for Dad was Gemini North (top right image). This has a mirror 8m in diameter and started operation in 1999. It is operated by an international combine of astronomers from the USA, Canada, Australia, Chile, Brazil and Argentina. Dad actually had a small part in the program just before he retired. The smaller telescope in the background is operated by a combine of observatories from Canada, France and Hawaii. There is lots to see in Hawaii, and I need to get back there again.

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Monday, October 12, 2015

 

A Most Moving Memorial

The most impressive bit of statuary has just been placed in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial here in Canberra. It commemorates the work and sacrifice of Explosive Detection Dogs (EDDs) and their soldier partners. Dogs were used by the Australian Army as messengers in France in 1918, and as search dogs in 1944, but EDDs are real modern-day heroes. With their partners, they find explosive devices, weapons and ammunition. The dog finds the dangerous stuff and the soldier disables it. A number of these brave teams have been killed in Afghanistan and the statue is their lasting memorial. The expressions on dog and soldier, the bag with equipment including the tennis ball for the dog's "play reward", and the ominous explosive package are all there as part of the story. I have never seen a statue which brings out the feelings of absolute trust and love between partners the way this one does. I defy anyone to study it and not be moved.

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