Something really interesting happened this week! It was morning time (around 8:30am) and we were on the dive boat in our wetsuits leaving the dock headed for our experimental site to collect our samples (tiny little snips of coral that we use to analyze the types of microbes living on these animals).
Just as we were pushing off the dock, a black zodiac boat pulls up next to us. The zodiac originated from a giant cruise liner that had anchored in Pao Pao Bay the night before.
Onboard the zodiac was a friendly Australian who explained to us that he worked aboard the National Geographic Cruise Liner: The Orion.
The Orion is a 53-cabin cruise liner that transports eco-friendly-minded tourist on holidays to the South Pacific, Indonesia and Australia.
This ship is special as she currently holds the record of having sailed further south than any other vessel in the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet... she made it to Antarctica, much like someone else we know..... 😋
After a round of introductions and chit chat, we were then invited to give a short presentation to the guests that night about our research on coral reefs. In addition to the nice science-outreach opportunity, we were also very keen to get a glimpse aboard the ship! GUMP research station is also located in Pao Pao bay, and we often gaze across the water at the luxury cruise liners that appear from time to time... now we would have an opportunity to take a peek inside!
That night, after we had finished our day of diving, we switched the wetsuits for collared shirts, and waited eagerly on the dock for our aquatic-Uber to come and get us!
As we approached the Orion, a beautiful rainbow appeared across the sky - definitely a sign of good things to come!
As we boarded, we signed the visitors log and were handed our visitor passes!
Next, we were given a tour of the Orion's beautiful interior, which boasted among other things, a whirlpool hot tub, a fitness center, observational lounge, library, outdoor cafe, photo gallery, and restaurant, in addition to the 53-cabins.
In the library, they had a desk of maps outlining the itinerary of the Orion which started in Fiji on March 24th, travelled through Vanuatu, Samoa, and ended in French Polynesia on April 5th.
Actually, our night aboard was the last night of the cruise!
Next, they brought us to the restaurant and provided us with some lovely complimentary cocktails before ushering us onto the back desk to enjoy the beautiful sunset.
When the guests had gathered in the lounge, it was time for us give the talk. Dr. Rebecca Vega Thurber amazed the guests with her video footage, photos and stories about the reef and our work here.
After her presentation, the Captain gave his farewell speech and thanked the various members of the crew for their amazing work.
Unfortunately, as our invite aboard was very spur of the moment, the galley didn't have appropriate notice of our arrival - so we couldn't stay for dinner. However, we stayed aboard for another hour or two, chatted with the guests and answered questions about our science - overall it was lovely!
When it was time to go, we took a quick group photo on the back deck...
...before climbing back into the Zodiac for our return voyage to GUMP research station.
As we don't do any night diving as part of our scientific research, for many of us, this was our first time in Pao Pao bay on the water at night, and it was beautiful!
Alas, spirits were high as we all quietly stargazed contemplating what a lovely evening we had enjoyed.
Based on this photo I found on my phone the next day, I suppose the cocktails were stronger than I realized! 😂
