28 Apr 2016

D'Entrecasteaux Islands Hot Springs

It was a crystal clear morning today with warm blue skies as we skimmed a glass-like sea toward Dei Dei on Fergusson of the D’Entrecasteaux Islands. Local guides led us around the geothermal hot springs as we weaved through bubbling mud pools, spitting geysers and deep boiling crevices. Our guide’s little dog followed us on the tour; we noticed him cautiously choosing his steps. The humidity of the morning was compounded by the heat from the springs; it felt like we were walking through an outdoor sweat lodge. And beneath our feet were wave-like patterns of mineral deposits. We were taken to a popular clothing site, which made for a natural warm cycle. We also wandered through the village and popped into one of their canteens selling provisions and snacks such as pens, bleach, Coca-cola.

Later this morning, those keen went snorkelling off Dobu, another island in the D’Entrecasteaux group. Here, hot springs leak through small vents in the ocean floor, sending bubbles up to the surface - it was a bit like swimming through champagne! Visibility wasn’t super around the vents, but just beyond was wonderfully clear. We swam over a myriad of fish and coral including a brain coral the size of an SUV.

After a pitstop at the ship, we loaded back into the Zodiacs for a walk-about on Dobu. The birders hiked into the bush with Chris and Martin and found a Eclectus Parrot, the Sulfur-crested Cockatoo, as well as a brown and grey Variable Goshawk (bird of prey). Others enjoyed exploring the village and chatting with the locals, some of whom offered to show us around the United Church, health clinic, water cisterns, and primary school. A large group of school children sat shaded under a tree singing hymns, and across the main field the adults were mid-meeting discussing health initiatives on the island.