{"id":940,"date":"2023-06-29T09:23:39","date_gmt":"2023-06-29T09:23:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/palau\/?p=940"},"modified":"2023-06-29T09:27:29","modified_gmt":"2023-06-29T09:27:29","slug":"day-8-free-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/palau\/2023\/06\/29\/day-8-free-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 8: Free Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Today was a day of rest and\/or free exploration for us. Some of us went to the beautiful Long Island Park and Conservation area to hike in the jungle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/LongIslandPark.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-941\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/LongIslandPark.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/LongIslandPark-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/LongIslandPark-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em> Ngermalk &#8211; Long Island Park<\/em> and Conservation Area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"1920\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1080 \/ 1920;\" width=\"1080\" controls src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/IMG_7905.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>One of many labeled trees along the trail and the raucousness of the jungle <\/em>(volume up!)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At the park was a medicinal plant garden full of species like Kertaku (<em>Myrtaceae Descaspermum fruticosum &#8211; <\/em>native<em>), <\/em> Blaulked (<em>Rubiaceae Timonius mollus<\/em> &#8211; endemic), Rur (<em>Rubiaceae Bakia palauensis &#8211; <\/em>endemic<em>), <\/em>Ebechab (<em>Plypodiaceae Microsorum scolopendria  &#8211; <\/em>native), Chemudelach <em>(Rubiaceae Hedyotis Korrorensis &#8211; <\/em>endemic), Kelsechedui <em>(Lamiaceae Vitex trifolia<\/em> &#8211; native), Ukellelachedib <em>(Fabaceae Chamaecrista mimosoides<\/em> &#8211; native), Ngmak <em>(Asteraceae Ageratum conyzoides <\/em>&#8211; native), and several others. We learned that endemic refers to species found only in a certain region, and native refers to species that are naturally occurring without human introduction but can be found in other regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/IMG_7952-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-943\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/IMG_7952-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/IMG_7952-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/IMG_7952-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/IMG_7952-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/IMG_7952-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Indigenous medicine garden<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Medicinal uses for Kelsechedui, for example, include reducing high blood pressure, use as a mosquito repellent, a tonic to simulate appetite, give you energy, and keep your body hydrated. Recipes and instructions for these remedies can be found in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Palau-Primary-Health-Care-Manual\/dp\/1477446354\">Palau Primary Health Care Manual<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Across the island, another group spent the day with Sam\u2019s Tours diving out in the Rock Islands. Palau is known worldwide for its incredible diving and this group did not want to pass up this opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Group.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-945\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Group.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Group-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Group-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Ready for a day of diving<\/em>! <em>From left to right: Brittney, Reid, Melissa, Scott, Alex (eyeballs only), Jocelyn, Dustin<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We left the dock and before we even reached our first dive site, we came across a reef manta ray swimming across the reef.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Manta-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-946\" width=\"674\" height=\"898\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Manta-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Manta-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Manta.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Reef Manta Ray<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The first dive took place at German Channel. An equal mix of sandy bottom and reef, this was the perfect easy dive to begin the day. We spotted many varieties of fish and other sea life including sharks and turtles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before ascending to the surface, we stopped to snap a few quick pics to remember the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/DustinBrittany.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-947\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/DustinBrittany.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/DustinBrittany-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/DustinBrittany-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Brittney and Dustin<\/em> <em>throwing shakas 50 feet down<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Jocelyn-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-948\" width=\"437\" height=\"655\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Jocelyn-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Jocelyn-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Jocelyn-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Jocelyn.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 437px) 100vw, 437px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Jocelyn throwing shaka 48 feet down<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The next dive site, Dexter\u2019s Wall, exhibited plunging reef walls that disappeared far below what we could see. The reef was made of mostly soft corals mixed in with hard corals. Here, the sea turtle sightings continued with our group spotting at least five of the beautiful creatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/MelissaTurtle-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-955\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/MelissaTurtle-3.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/MelissaTurtle-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/MelissaTurtle-3-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Melissa observing a green sea turtle<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The dive concluded when we arrived at the Blue Corner, which swept us away into a drift dive. People who talk about diving in Palau never fail to mention the sudden swift currents that can catch a diver off guard. After a fast-moving safety stop at 15 feet, we popped to the surface for lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After a delicious bento box, we hopped back into the water for our last dive of the day, Canyons. This site displayed steep walls of colorful hard corals with canyons breaking up the scenery. We swam though a rather large overhead tunnel and finished our dive at a vertical wall full of life and color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Canyons.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-956\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Canyons.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Canyons-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3194\/files\/2023\/06\/Canyons-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Hard coral rock wall at Canyons<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>From laundry to shopping, to diving and hiking, we ended our day feeling rested, refreshed, and ready for another week of adventure here in Palau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Written by Jocelyn, Dustin, and Hilary (Shaka)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today was a day of rest and\/or free exploration for us. Some of us went to the beautiful Long Island Park and Conservation area to hike in the jungle. At the park was a medicinal plant garden full of species like Kertaku (Myrtaceae Descaspermum fruticosum &#8211; native), Blaulked (Rubiaceae Timonius mollus &#8211; endemic), Rur (Rubiaceae &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/palau\/2023\/06\/29\/day-8-free-time\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Day 8: Free Time&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8309,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-940","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fw391palau"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/palau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/940","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/palau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/palau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/palau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8309"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/palau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=940"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/palau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/940\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":962,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/palau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/940\/revisions\/962"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/palau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=940"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/palau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=940"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/palau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=940"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}