Welcome to Bikini Atoll

Title – Welcome to Bikini Atoll
Date – September 2004
Location - Bikini Atoll – Marshal Islands

Bikini Atoll is at the end of the earth; it is so far away from anywhere else that the USA used this as its nuclear testing ground. The most famous of tests took place right here after the end of World War II in 1946 and 1947 code named Operation Crossroads. This fascinating programme like many others since had a dark and dishonest underbelly that saw the people of Bikini Atoll tricked into leaving their island, convinced by the American leadership that their exodus would be short lived and the test that were being planned “were for the good of man kind and to end all world wars”. The total population of Bikini Atoll, a total of 167 people, left the island for what they were told would be a short time and have never been able to return.
Although there is no doubt that there were scientific reasons that the tests needed to be carried out, there were two other reasons that they were important. After World War II there was a considerable battle between the Navy and Army in the USA for funds and the Army (who at that time also comprised the fledgling air force) argued that the Navy no longer needed to be funded to the same extent, as the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima had effectively started a new chapter in warfare. There was a genuine belief that the Nuclear option would end the need for conventional wars. To this end several hundred international dignitaries were also invited to attend the ‘testing’ and to witness for themselves the awesome power of the nuclear bombs, or possibly to warn them of this power.

Some 42,000 US Navy and US Army personnel were involved in this operation and many suffered terribly as a result of the radiation they were exposed to.

The people of Bikini have yet to return to their island and repopulate it, although it is safe to stay on the island it is not yet safe to grow crops, harvest shell fish or collect coconuts, as all still suffer from the radioactive effects of the tests. This means the traditional way of life is still impossible here.

Beyond The Blue is a training company that specialises in helping prepare individuals for their planned travel. We believe in being realistic in the information we supply and do not believe in scare mongering. We do not try and create an atmosphere that relies on individuals being scared to travel in order to attend our workshops. We believe strongly that almost anyone can travel and experience new environments and that a little research and preparation can go along way to finding the perfect destination for you. Our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop is designed to resolve your fears and reassure you that despite all the horrors stories you may have heard, most trips are perfectly safe and people return home with memories they will treasure for the rest of their lives.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com

Image – ©Peter Mayhew

Crabs Own the Beach

Title – Crabs Own the Beach
Date – September 2004
Location - Bikini Atoll – Marshal Islands

Crabs really do own the beach, along with any number of other vertebrates and invertebrates, they are perfectly adapted for their environment and often act as a key indicator to how clean a beach and the sea water really is.

These environments are very delicate ones and your interaction within them can have an incredibly detrimental effect. Be aware of this and you can enjoy the pristine ecosystems, which do still exist in many parts of the world. But as the saying goes take only photographs and leave only footprints.

Beyond The Blue encourages ecologically sound responsible tourism and travel, even though many will argue that this is a floored argument in itself, because of the fuel used to transport you to your location in the first place. But simple steps like not collecting shells on the beach will mean that the hermit crabs have the opportunity to use those shells as a home or that the shells themselves can be broken down, to one day add sand to the beach you are standing on all make a difference. You collecting a shell to take home as a souvenir may seem insignificant, but consider the millions of shells removed from the worlds ecosystems every year by unsuspecting and ill informed individuals, not to mention the commercial harvests that remove shells while they are still living to meet the demands of the buyers all over the world and you will see how every little contribution can help in the fight for protection of these beautiful natural resources.

Beyond The Blue believes in responsible tourism, we believe that there is a fascinating world out there to be discovered but we realise the role we play in protecting these resources for future travellers to witness. Our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop will consider the implications of your travel to destinations around the world in a responsible and conscientious way. We hope to send those attending the course on their way, with the information to impact the environments they visit positively.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com

Image – ©Peter Mayhew

Sharks in the Shallow

Title – Sharks in the Shallow
Date – September 2004
Location - Bikini Atoll – Marshal Islands

Walking along a deserted beach in the middle of the day under the heat of the Pacific sun, you fancy a swim to cool off; it’s a little off-putting when you walk down to the shore line only to be faced with a small Black Tip Shark lurking in the shallows. The question you might ask yourself is; where’s mummy? That might well be your mummy but the more sensible question is where is it’s mummy? But having a good knowledge of sharks should reassure you that actually, only a very few species are genuinely dangerous and common sense measures can reduce the risks further.

So I walked along the shoreline to a location where I might not be disturbing this truly beautiful little animal. I walked at least half a mile up the beach and my new best friend followed me the whole way, this picture was taken when I finally gave up and returned to camp.

They say knowledge is power and it certainly can be. Knowledge can give you the power to overcome common ignorant fears. There is no reason not to swim in these waters because of this shark; it’s a small and relatively harmless species, certainly reasonably harmless when this size. But knowledge should also tell you that on Bikini Atoll, here in the Marshall Islands, there may be a reason this Shark is so close in to the shoreline. Tiger Sharks regularly patrol the beaches here and they do give you very good reason to stay out of the water.

Beyond The Blue is a training company set up to help individuals gain the knowledge they need to travel safely to their chosen destinations. Through our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop we provide those attending with the skills and information they will need to successfully prepare for and execute the trip they have planned.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com

Image – ©Peter Mayhew

Snowshoeing Excursion

Title – Snowshoeing Excursion
Date – March 2004
Location – Morzine France

Extreme sports come in all shapes and sizes and although snowshoeing might not sound like an adrenaline rush, untracked heavy snow, extreme cold and the unpredictability of the mountains are no place to be unprepared; no amount of adrenaline will save you from the elements.

The wilderness of the French alps can become irresistible, but be sure to plan your route well, tell someone where your route will take you and when you’ll be back. Taking the right equipment is also essential for this type of activity; if you have the opportunity a large Rhodesian Ridgeback dog certainly fits the bill, leading the way making a track in the deep snow in front of us and allowed us to follow with a little less exertion.

Through our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop we will prepare you for whatever trip you are planning and for whatever activities you may choose to undertake along the way.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com

Image – ©Peter Mayhew

Glacier in Vallee Blanche

Title – Glacier in Vallee Blanche
Date – March 2004
Location - Chamonix - France

The Vallee Blanche above Chamonix in France is a popular spot for skiers looking for the ‘extreme’ off-piste experience in Europe and the scenery on the way down is certainly well worth the effort, as you ski by Glaciers of the most stunning blue ice.

But although it is certainly beautiful, there are risks involved. Crevasses and avalanches are common in this area and above all the risk of getting lost, adds to the dangers in which we place ourselves, when we go in search of these wonders.

Beyond The Blue have experience throughout the world and our instructors have first hand experience of many activities and are well placed to provide guidance that will help individuals embarking on independent travel. Where ever in the world you choose to travel, we can provide the advice and information through our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop to allow you to do so in safety and with confidence.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com

Image – ©Peter Mayhew

Aiguille du Midi

Title – Aiguille du Midi
Date – March 2004
Location - Chamonix - France

The Aiguille du Midi (3800m) is the highest ski point in Europe and not for the faint hearted. After the exuberating ride to the top you have to cross a thin ledge, with a serious drop off on one side, before setting off on the 17km off-piste ski route to Chamonix some 2800m below you.

The skiing is only suitable for experienced skiers. There are several routes down the mountain and a ski guide is essential. If going the ‘extreme’ route then a harnesses, ropes, transponders and other safety equipment is equally important.

Beyond The Blue believes that preparation and planning is essential to any trip be it a day trip down a mountain littered with crevasses or a two year trip taking in 50 new countries. Our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop provides those attending with vital personal safety advice and techniques, as well as practical advice on travel related subjects.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com

Image – ©Peter Mayhew

Grand Bleu

Title – Grand Bleu
Date – March 2004
Location – Morzine - France

“Le Grand Bleu” is the French description of the perfect day in the mountains. With not a cloud in the sky and fresh snow on the ground no one can ask for anything more when they travel through these regions or look forward to a day skiing on the slopes.

Beyond The Blue run Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop to help individuals plan their travel and to learn the skills required to effect that plan when they get to their destination. Our instructors are all very experienced and will teach you all the tricks and tips learned over years of travelling.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com

Image – ©Peter Mayhew