Forbidden outlook at the top of the trail

ForbiddenIslandoutlook

smoothed coral from the path....'smooth' is very unusual here on this path.

half-way?

islmark

friendly spiders along the way that we try not to disturb

How can they grow w/o dirt?....enough space in the coral to allow rain in.

Notice the 2 tidal pools on the top of the reef. All the reef shots following are of this particular reef and the interactions the waves have with it.

ils

Forbidden island and the reef from above.

Forbiddenisland

sedimentary sand stones

ils

same reef

mark

same reef

tp4

tp7

tp5

tp6

yep, still the same reef

tp10

tp8

tp9

tp11

Taking a trail to the right of Forbidden Island, among and over and through the boulders of old coral mixed with lava, there is a sink hole of sorts? It forms a cave with cracks in the top to allow in light and rain. You can get in through assorted holes in the side or through the 'chimney'. Mark is assessing the situation here, but will decide to come in through a smaller hole closer to the water.

Markcoolpool

If you look carefully you'll see that Mark's foot has found a way through the hole.

markfoot

and now a knee....I think he's going to make it.

markleg

I'm glad the hole was bigger than I thought it was....it was tight for me.

markleg

When it rains a lot the pool becomes murky. Luckily, it hasn't rained for several weeks, the surges and winds have been high, so the pool is filled with wonderful, cool, clear seawater that comes in from the hole to the right.

markleg

This is the space that allows the water in (and its reflection). Outside this window is another pool that's wonderful to swim in when the seas are calm. It's fun to sit on the ledge, even on surging days if it's low tide, and watch the wave action with the reef and other pools. Yes, it could be a dangerous place out there, but the pool we are in is around 12 feet deep maximum and beautifully protected.

reflection

the crack at the top is where the sun shines through at noon and where rain finds the pool.

reflection

Happy time.

Bevcoolpool

reflection

Which is reflection and which is real. It's hard for me to tell even when I'm swimming in it.

reflection

yes, it was around noon.

reflection

reflections can do funny things. In previous photo my reflection was my Daddy's face, now his is in the sunlight. Zac is looking up to me. In a way, it looks like a 3 generation shot to me.

bev