morning tasks to complete before we headed out the west lagoon to explore two famed underwater gardens. I for my part serviced the underwater camera and microphone located in the reef on the lagoon side of the eastern most island, called Barren. There are a number of bumphead parrotfish that like to hang out in that area. These parrotfish feed on coral and the astounding thing is that each bite they take makes an audible sound. The microphone captures each bite they take, while the camera is there to catch the fish in flagrante.Like always I hitched a ride to the east lagoon and then set out for North Barren in my Kayak. I leave the east lagoon through a cut between two islands and then a traverse a shallow sandy area before reaching the coral gardens that lie beside Barren island. I have to admit this is a task I really enjoy. Paddling through the open waters is a welcomed respite from the somewhat cramped feeling I tend to get on the small, densely vegetated islands that make up the atoll. The commute is also a moment of precious alone time, which is rare because most tasks require more than at least two people for safety as well as practicality.
When I pass through the cut that leads out of the east lagoon I feel like I'm the first person to witness this pristine site. In the daydreams that sweep through my mind while I execute the 
steady, rhythmic paddling motion, I switch between the role of the intrepid explorer and the the secret service agent on a mission. Servicing the microphones is such a bizarre juxtaposition of of pure nature and high technology. It looks like no one has ever been here before and yet Sony and Panasonic have made their presence here. I dive down and take the devices out of their cages on the seabed before changing the batteries and memory cards from them. When everything is tied tight and running I hurry back to station, in eager anticipation of my first snorkeling trip.
But now it's bed time, and sleep must not wait! Hopefully I will have time to describe my sights, or perhaps better, I will leave you to create your own water wonderland.
steady, rhythmic paddling motion, I switch between the role of the intrepid explorer and the the secret service agent on a mission. Servicing the microphones is such a bizarre juxtaposition of of pure nature and high technology. It looks like no one has ever been here before and yet Sony and Panasonic have made their presence here. I dive down and take the devices out of their cages on the seabed before changing the batteries and memory cards from them. When everything is tied tight and running I hurry back to station, in eager anticipation of my first snorkeling trip.But now it's bed time, and sleep must not wait! Hopefully I will have time to describe my sights, or perhaps better, I will leave you to create your own water wonderland.
