My happy place

Have you ever been on an ocean cruise? I was very surprised to find that most of the people I know have, and, after very positive feedback, my husband and I decided to give it a go.

The first was a 4-day Princess Cruise from Melbourne back to Brisbane to check out our sea legs. The second was a wonderful 5-day Culinary Cruise on the Queen Elizabeth from Sydney to Hobart and back. Both times, we took advantage of visiting the local state and private art galleries, and what an inspiration they were. When on board, I was mesmerised by the ocean… its movement, colours, and its vast expanse. I imagined all the life that was living beneath the calm and sometimes turbulent surface. I wished I could push away the water and expose what was below at that very moment.

Since I was little, I have been intrigued by what can be found hidden below – a world of its own which takes up most of the planet. I found immense joy in snorkelling in the rockpools in the Indian Ocean as a child, inquisitive as to what lived there between the rocks and how everything seemed to exist in harmony. The colours, movement and creatures always surprised me and so began my interest in these hidden places.

I love the sea, have always lived next to it and found it to be my happy place. The ocean also links all the lands I love (I have lived in 3) and have found this connection very comforting. With this in mind I have decided to focus on this topic and there is no better place than to start with the reef and all the life to be found hidden away in this secretive place. I have seen how sea environments have changed since I was a child – depleted of the rich variety and habitat we once saw -and how changing weather patterns are influencing these habitats. Creating gratitude for this beautiful place as well as awareness of the plight of the reef, is close to my heart and will be my focus as I start out!

Until next time 😊

Michele