Blue Planet Journey

Caroline checks out a snorkeling site on Vanuatu.  Swimmer, snorkeler, PADI rescue diver, and previously lifeguard certified, with Italian made Cressi mask, snorkel, and fins... she is prepared.   I really just want to comment on 2 things that relate to the Celebrity Solstice,  and perhaps most cruise ships.  The first is safety in a reef environment (snorkeling).   The second is a commitment to reef conservation. "National Geographic" gear The Celebrity Solstice shore excursion team promotes snorkeling gear sales.   I'm not sure who makes this equipment, but it is sold under a licensing agreement allowing for the "National Geographic" label to be attached (as if NG has any specialized experience in snorkeling gear... you won't find any real divers using it).  The insinuation is that, if National Geographic endorses this gear, the gear is quality, and you are going to have a great and safe time snorkeling.  Who needs, say,...

Araucaria columnaris, New Caledonia New Caledonia is a French island territory (an “overseas collective”) east of Australia and north of New Zealand.  It is in the process of getting its independence, which I believe is scheduled for a binding vote in November, 2018.  I wouldn’t call it a speck in the South Pacific, but there had to be some luck in early explorers finding it (both Kanak, the original people, and European). We had 3 days in New Caledonia... 1 in the capital city of Noumea (the most populated city),  and 1 each on the island of Lifou , and the Isle of Pines . Noumea is the largest city in New Caledonia, with about 200,000 residents.  I don’t know how the wealth is distributed, but New Caledonia has about a quarter of the world’s nickel reserves, so mining exports are important.  No excursions were offered to the nickel mines, but I did get 1 photo from a distance... the gray clouds emanating from the smokestacks made them pretty visi...