Great White Shark Diving at Guadalupe IslandWritten by C.C.
Guadalupe Island’s 100-foot visibility is evident in its crystal-blue water. Unlike Farallons or South Africa, Guadalupe Island has great visibility. This allowed us to see great whites from a distance giving notice to get cameras ready. Our white shark encounters provided action from daybreak until sunset. Swimming slowly and cautiously around our shark cages were male and female white sharks ranging between sizes of 12 to 16 feet in length. During close-up passes, sharks looked directly at us, revealing different color variations in their eyes. The center of their eyes is not black as described; they are actually brown. While staring into eyes of one of great whites, I noticed a thin, beautiful, blue circle. The great whites also have cones in their eyes. Animals having such cones are able to see different colors; therefore, it is likely that great whites also see color variations. The water temperature at island ranges between 70 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A 7mm wetsuit with a hood and boots, or a drysuit is recommended for exposure protection. I used a ¼ inch wetsuit, but I plan on having a drysuit for next year’s trip. Most of participants wore wetsuits and were just fine---some were even a bit warm. The last day of trip we enjoyed an extensive visit from two California sea lions. Enchanting encounters to say least---watching ballet-like movement of sea lions as they swim through water. Next year's escorted trip to Guadalupe Island will be September 20- 24, 2004. The cost of trip is $2,350 per person bunk quarters, and $2,550 for private stateroom. The adventure is worth every cent to see ocean’s apex predator up close and personal. For those who wish to come along for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity contact TerraSea Travel & Tours toll free at 1-800-403-8488 or visit their website at www.terrasea.net
| | Important Chinese FestivalsWritten by Wong Yee Lee
Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year (January/February) It is usually in winter of a year. The exact date would follow one in Lunar Calendar. Entering New Year month, every family would clean and tidy both inside and outside of their houses. New Year food would also be prepared. 'Lin Gao', Chinese cake symbolizing rise of family every year, would be a must. New Year couplets would be displayed around house. All families would be busy until New Year's Eve and a big New Year eve's dinner would be served for gathering to welcome beginning of a New Year. Children and unmarried adults would love occasion because red packets would be given to them from all married couples and older generations. As a tradition, on first few days of first lunar month, people would spend their time visiting relatives and friends. Spring Lantern Festival/ Yuen Siu Festival (January/February) It is also known as Chinese Valentine's Day and it marks end of Chinese New Year. Young couples would celebrate on this day. Lanterns of different designs would be hung in different places.Ching Ming Festival (March/April) It is a day when people pay their visits to graves of your ancestors. Joss sticks, incense and paper offerings would be burnt for dead people. Roasted while piglets, steamed chicken, fruit and wine would be offered to dead too. Some people tend to bring chrysanthemum instead of those mentioned above, so remember not to give chrysanthemum to Chinese people. It is said it is also a day when dead wander about above ground and so sometimes people carry willow branches or hang them outside their doors on this day to scare away ghosts. Birthday of Tin Hau (April/May) It is not a very big festival but a very important one for people living on fishing islands. It is a festival to show respect to Goddess of Sea, Tin Hau for good catches in sea and a safe year ahead. Cheung Chau Bun Festival (April/May) It is a festival which belongs to Cheung Chau Island. In past, people climbed bun towers built with bamboos which were covered with blessed buns outside. The higher people climbed on it meant more luck they would receive in year. Since accident happened in 1978, this competition was no longer allowed. People on island would keep vegetarian for three days during festival. Dragon Boat Festival (June) It is a festival to show respect to a patriotic scholar - Chu Yuan, who drowned himself to protest against his emperor. Rice dumpling, which is popular during festival, is made of glutinous rice, salted meat with a salty egg yolk and wrapped with bamboo leaves. It is believed that these dumplings would scare away any fish which would harm body of Chu Yuan after him jumping into sea. However, some believe that dragon boat festival started before death of Chu Yuan. The dragon boat has head and a tail of a dragon. Since dragon is god of water world, After dragon boats sail in water, water will be blessed. It is also a tradition for people to wash their hair and body with blessed water on day so as to be blessed for coming year.
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