Ascension Island
Lynn & Mike ..around the world
Mike Drinkrow & Lynn v/d Hoven
Sun 9 Mar 2008 19:42
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07:55.15S 14:24.66W
Ascension Island
This morning we left Ascension Island for our
leg to Brazil, after a wonderful 3 days on the island. There are even more
dramatic contrasts on Ascension than we saw on St Helena - with beautiful white
beaches, that border the most dramatic, desolate "moon landscape" with very
dry hills of old red lava. Then, in the middle of the island is Green
Mountain, a lush tropical paradise. There are no permanent residents on
the island, only contact workers for the British government, BBC World (relay
station), the British and the US Airforce. The original NASA Apollo
transmissions were relayed to earth via Ascension and the airport
is currently an alternative landing site for the space
shuttle.
 We met the charming Guild family living
on the island from Scotland (she is the local public prosecutor & he is an
internationally acclaimed artist/ fishing fiend), who were kind enough to show
us (and our friends from Nordlys) around. We did a hike up Green
Mountain, did a pleasant dive on the China wreck, and then also did amazing
turtle watching. At this time of the year, massive green turtles from Brazil
swim over to mate & lay eggs. These huge animals drag themselves up the
beach, dig holes and lay the eggs, then stagger back to the ocean.
 We were very lucky to witness them mating and swimming close
to our boat. We also spent a sunrise on the beach watching them go
back down to the water. I managed to rescue a little hatchling, who was
struggling to get out of his egg, while the frigate birds were circling in for
the kill. They are the sweetest, most hyperactive little creatures - and
sadly only 0.1% survive to adulthood.... and now to
Brazil!
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