Abrolhos Archipelago
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Just 70 km east of Nova Viçosa, Bahia are the five islands forming the Abrolhos Archipelago. These islands are part of two reef systems which run parallel to the coast and cover an area of some 6,000 km² -Brazil’s most extensive reef system. Two parts of the reef system including the archipelago have been declared a marine park (Parque Nacional Marinho dos Abrolhos) covering 913 km².
A lighthouse and small Brazilian Naval station are on Santa Barbara, but of the five islands only Siriba, one of the two westernmost islands, can be visited. A track runs for some 1,600 meters around the island, permitting to see the fauna, flora and geology. The Abrolhos Archipelago is the Southwest Atlantic’s largest reproduction area for humpback whales which tend to be there between July and November. Loggerhead and green sea turtles will start to come in November to lay their eggs on the few sandy beaches, and hawksbill turtles have also been seen. Masked and Brown Boobies, Magnificent Frigatebirds, Red-billed Tropicbirds, Sooty Terns and Brown Noddies have all been recorded as nesting on the islands.
Thursday October 27th Abrolhus Archipelago
Boarded our zodiacs at 8.30; once near the islands we then transferred to a smaller zodiac and had a wet landing ashore on Siriba island . 15 of us then walked along the edge of the island with Dayo for a short distance where there were hundreds of masked boobies.
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Then transferred to a catamaran from which I had a swim whilst most snorkelled. Enjoyed the top deck of the catamaran to ourselves. Turtles were swimming around the catamaran Lunch in the Terraza, a siesta and coffee on the back deck before bridge, but that never took place because of whales being around the ship. Lectures by Dayo on Life History Strategies, Birds and by Carlos on von Humboldt. Also Trivia. Recap and Briefing, dinner with Cathy, John, Ann and Catherine before "Dessert under the Stars" with a disco. Enjoyed a pistachio cocktail but not the disco!
A swim before breakfast, then two lectures, one from Manu on Dynamic Earth, far too complicated, and the other by Robin on the ugly fish that go into fish stews. A lobster, crab, prawn, etc buffet lunch on the pool deck,
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followed by Trivia and my last bridge session with Utta, Claudia and Suzanne. Then Cindy's cruise video , which was excellent, and a farewell from the Expedition team. At 4pm there were cocktails for the sail into Rio, but there were few people up on deck, and cloudy weather that turned to rain. Saw Sugar Loaf mountain from the back deck. then eventually retired to the Observation lounge, whicn was heaving with guests and champagne. Stayed there till the ship moored. After dinner in the Terraza, we received Silver sea bear ( the Boyzz had written a polite email to Jonathan requesting his company for the last leg from Rio to Buenos Aires!) ,the only one on board, from Jonathan for my’ very disappointing’ prize from Trivia points. Silversea Ted came out of of a cupboard in the Panorama lounge, where I suspect he had been gestating for several years!!
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. . .
On to Rio de Janeiro