Capn George

How did this all happen? Why are we going to Ireland? It started last January as my parents were down for their annual 3-week visit with us in Miami. We were sitting around the table after dinner outside (we always eat outside down here) when Mom began talking about how much she would love to go to Ireland. Mom is Irish. I can still remember her father listening to jigs on the phonograph. Dad has basically wanted to stay in the States except for a jaunt to Canada. He says there is nothing worth seeing that can't be seen in the good old U.S. of A. I don't know if that is patriotism or xenophobia. But, as Mom talked about the complexities of international travel that would keep her and Dad home, she seemed more and ... read more

As our plans for three weeks in Australia this coming Christmas firm up, we have definitely scratched the stinger infested waters of the Great Barrier Reef off our list. A recent TV documentary highlighting the fingernail sized Irukandji was the deciding factor. These miniature and nearly invisible versions of the widely feared box jellyfish carry an enormous venomous punch. I watched two trained scientists who confidently picked up box jellies in their bare hands, two scientists both in full stinger suits, hoods, booties and gloves; I watched them become two scientists who doubled up in agony after an Irukandji brushed the barely exposed lip of one and after a tiny bit of broken tentacle fell from a glove onto the skin of the other as she climbed out of her protective gear. Both were hospitalized, racked ... read more