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We boated up the coast from the port to Cape Zanpa. It was on the way that I saw the green flash.
It took me almost two hours to get from Higashi to Yomitan, so the sun was pretty close to setting when we left the port. But that was perfect.
As the sun was getting close to the horizon, my friend asked me, "Have you ever seen a green flash?" No, never. Is it real?
And I soon found out. As the sun touched and melted into the horizon, it only took about a minute or two for the sun to get close to completely setting. Luckily, we had a very clear day with so few clouds in the sky, none of them obstructing the horizon. As the last part of the sun started to dip out of view, it happened.
A Green Flash.
It was amazing. It was brighter than what I would have imagined it to be. It was also very clear and very distinguishable. Something I had only seen in a movie I had finally seen with my own two eyes. And it was beautiful.
So I recommend that you, if you get the chance, watch a sunset on the water on a clear day. Chances are good that you'll see what I saw, a brilliant green flash, a crystal of sunlight, lasting just a moment, before disappearing. You won't be disappointed.
We also went snorkeling after sunset, which didn't allow us to see much in terms of fish or coral, but did give us a great view of bio-luminescence. Simply by moving your limbs in the water, the living organisms react to the motion of your hands and feet and illuminate briefly, swirling in dark water with dim green flashes. I had one little organism swirling in front of my mask for a few seconds - what a sight.
4 comments:
Sweet! I only know it from the Pirates movie, and I didn't even think that was real. Is it something you can only see on a boat?
No, you can see it anywhere there is an unobstructed horizon, according to some net research. But since we live in Okinawa, ocean is your best bet. Especially over on your side.
I would only add that, according to my research, chances are not good of seeing it. I have spent probably a month's worth of nights looking - on clear days - and never seen it. I pretty much think you're lying.
I'm with Dave on this one... basically I believe the green flash is a myth after NEVER seeing one after 18 years of living in Hawaii. But, nice post, Vaughn... touching :)
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