I’m going on vacation!! My destination happens to be near the Coral Restoration Foundation facility in Bonaire. If you haven’t heard of the good work CRF does, click on this link to learn more. http://crfbonaire.org

I got through the international security here at LAX three hours before my flight, and was able to do a short livestream from the Fiji Airways gate. I posed the question: What's the furthest you've traveled to see a natural reef.  As you can see above, this one was significant. My furthest, in fact. And in Kilometers, it's 10600.75 km.  That sounds even more impressive.

It's my hope that by 8:30 am Sunday morning, I'll be on Suvasuva, heading to join my group of friends to go diving immediately.  It's been too long since I 'blew some bubbles' as the divers like to say. :)

Last February, I booked my trip from Dallas to Suvasuva, Fiji... and the entire time all was well.  Until this morning, that is. I got an email mere hours before I'm about to depart, learning that the first leg of my trip has been pushed three hours later than my itinerary listed. That delay meant I would miss the second flight, which is the big one over the Pacific Ocean. Immediately I called the airlines to figure out what was going on, and was referred to the original company that provided this offer. The conversation was naturally frustrating, and took over an hour.

The iOS version of Reef Trace has been out for a few weeks. The Android version comes out next, work starts on it next month. Reef Trace has partnered with Melev's Reef, and provides you with some really cool features. It's $8.99 in the App store.

Sea World has been on the defense due to social media pressure in recent years, and I don't feel it is warranted whatsoever. 

It's 2017, central time. So let me tell you about what's to come (although I know you can't read this for a few more... months) but it's here for historical reasons because I know you like to go back and see what you missed):

Melev's Reef has been my pride and joy since I started building the very first webpage back in 2003. Nearly 14 years later, it's time for the next incarnation.  Plans are in motion with careful attention to the overall design for a 2017 look that is easy to navigate no matter what device you use. The shop area is getting a huge upgrade, among other things. In the coming weeks, a team will be working quietly to bring this newer version to life, and I'm super excited.

A few days later than it should have been, but I hope it was worth the wait. Last week I was slammed with things to do, and had no time to edit the weekly video, but I'm going to blame the zombies. This video focuses behind the scenes at the Birch Aquarium, showcasing the offlimits sections and some of their breeding efforts. 

One of the prettiest shops I've walked into is owned by Jennifer Nies, and her story is quite unique (tank maintenance for pizza money?!)... Looking at her, you'd never believe she's been at this for 20 years. Smart, business-minded, and her store's expanding already, she's definitely one to watch. Looking forward to Margarita Sundays lol Store address:

New Wave Aquaria
14100 23rd Ave N, 
Plymouth, MN 55447
(763) 710-9386

"Everyone should be reading Coral." That's what I thought to myself months ago, and mentally added that topic to my ongoing list of future videos. Each issue has a central theme by multiple authors. Go subscribe now (we're tracking the results with this URL): http://www.coralmagazine.com/melev/