Why The Coconut Palm Points to the Sea

(naturalnavigator.com)

The coconut palm tree (Cocos nucifera) does something that very few trees do. It leans into wind.

Most trees have trunks that will bend away from the wind. A trunk that leans downwind is less exposed and structurally better for surviving strong winds. But the coconut palm is a rebel. Its trunk bends into wind.

Strictly speaking, the palm is growing towards the light (phototropism) not the wind, but since they grow best at the edge of tropical islands, the effect is the same, as most coastline trees are exposed to strongest winds from the sea.

Why does it do this? It is a bit odd for a tree to grow in a way that makes it more exposed and more vulnerable to storms from the sea.

There is a good reason. The palm tree needs to drop its seed, the coconut, as close to the water as possible. Many seeds are carried by wind or animals, but coconuts are taken to start a new life elsewhere, often on another island, by sea currents.

Besides, coconut palms are very sturdy individuals. It takes an extraordinarily strong wind to threaten them. A gale will shake some coconuts out of the tree, but is unlikely to tug hard enough at the roots to cause any problems. A storm will flatten a lot of other species before troubling the tough palm.

It is very likely you know where the sea is already if you can see coconut palms, but if not, remember they grow towards the light, usually the open skies of the ocean and away from the darkness of other trees.

If you look closely, you’ll actually notice that the main trunk leans towards the sea, but the very top bends back slightly towards the land. This is the result of the light and wind working in opposite directions. The top of the tree bears the brunt of the strongest winds.

https://www.naturalnavigator.com/news/2020/02/why-the-coconut-palm-points-to-the-sea/

A frightful sight

Black sails coming your way.

Better just surrender.

How Peter Mel’s Epic Maverick’s Wave Just Made the Unimaginable Imaginable For Us All

(by Sam George theinertia.com January 12, 2021)

Throughout the course of surfing history, there have been those whose performances have redefined what collectively was thought possible. The bold California crew who left first tracks at Waimea Bay in 1957; Gerry Lopez, and later Shaun Tomson inventing modern tube riding at Pipeline in the 1970s; Christian Fletcher’s aerial assault at Lower Trestles; Shane Dorian’s paddle-in push at Peahi; Kai Lenny’s recent big wave blitzkrieg.

Quite different, though, are those singular rides that in their sheer outrageousness have transcended the realm of possibility, instead setting a new standard for what was even imaginable. Picture Laird Hamilton’s Millennium Wave at Teahupoʻo, for example, or Koa Smith’s 27-second barrel at Skeleton Bay. Both rides represented more than just the next step in the evolution of surfing performance, but throughout their fleeting seconds (though not so fleeting in Smith’s case) signaled a total paradigm shift, each a point of departure from what was to what now is. The unimaginable suddenly becoming imaginable.

Which brings me to Peter Mel’s beyond-epic barrel at Maverick’s on January 8. We’ve all seen it by now, the picture-perfect, sitting-there-in-the-channel footage posted on all the surfing websites. It even made the evening news in some coastal television markets. And no wonder — as rides go, it couldn’t have been more entertaining. A perfect three-act drama played out on a moving 50-foot stage: the hero’s roll-in-to-late drop, the hair’s breadth escape from the thundering lip as he pulled into the dark, cavernous tube, his heroic stance as, wreathed in angry spit, he emerged into the sunlight and safety.

An outrageous ride, yes. But any more outrageous than so many of the other amazing rides witnessed during what has to be considered one of the best big wave seasons in memory, not only in California but Hawaii and Europe, as well? Sure, plenty in the surf media hedged their bets, with soft-pedal headlines like, “Did Peter Mel just catch the Wave of the Decade at Maverick’s?” and “Peter Mel Just Raised the Bar…,” etc., etc. But no, the bar wasn’t just raised, it was leaped over by a mile. And yes, there’s no question that this is not only the wave of the decade at Maverick’s, but the best ever ridden at that fearsome break, simply because before this ride was witnessed by the whole surfing world, it was unimaginable. To position oneself outside the known lineups, paddle into a wave this size at Maverick’s and from behind the bowl pull into the barrel off the bottom instead of drawing a safer line through the center…simply unimaginable.

At least to anyone but Peter Mel, it seems, who for almost 30 years had a picture in his mind of what might be done if ever faced with a wave like this.  A picture that, by his own admission, frightened him. And yet, when presented with the opportunity — this once-in-a-lifetime wave — he rode it with an aplomb that, while it belied decades of commitment to the Beast of Pillar Point, expressed more deeply a manifestation of the imagination. Not only his imagination, but that of all those surfers who would like to believe that if ever faced by our own once-in-a-lifetime waves, we’d ride as Peter did.

So yes, I say that Peter Mel’s January 8 ride at Maverick’s certainly belongs on that elite list of singular waves that have redefined the imaginable. And critics can wail and curse and comment — call me a kook because I’m not a big wave surfer and have no business making this sort of call — and to that, I say fair enough. Yet to those who choose to say “one of the best…” or add a question mark to the headline, consider this: has any wave ever in history so dramatically, yet so eloquently, made the statement that Mel’s did that day? Not that he’s the king of Maverick’s or that this wave was any better than any of his others —or even better than any wave we might ride, of any size. But rather the clear assertion of what for so many surfers is unimaginable: that instead of behind, our best days of surfing could still lay ahead.

https://www.theinertia.com/surf/why-peter-mels-epic-mavericks-wave-just-made-the-unimaginable-imaginable-for-us-all/

(youtube link to Petrer Mel's ride)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SzNlJCHBU0

This Cancún Resort Fights 20,000 Tons of Invasive Seaweed Each Year

Why Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War Is Still So Great to Play 7 Years Later

(denofgeek.com June 7, 2024)

A pirate’s life ain’t easy. 

It’s full of fierce naval battles on the open sea with rival fleets, encounters with fearsome sea monsters, endless plundering and conquest, and so much more. The nice thing about Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War is that it allows you to live out your life as a pirate from the comfort of your couch, or bed, or commuter train…pretty much wherever you like!

Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War is one of the most beloved free-to-play games on the market, and it’s got the longevity to prove it. The game is currently celebrating its 7th Anniversary with exciting updates that bring a host of new features and content, so there’s no better time than now to join the game’s spirited community of Pirates of the Caribbean fans and enthusiasts.

What gives the game such staying power is its engaging gameplay. There’s always something new to do. Players build a fleet of ships, each captained by a Tactician who adds buffs, stats, abilities, and talismans to their vessel. Many tacticians are fan-favorite characters from the films, like Elizabeth Swann, Will Turner, Davy Jones, and of course, the swaggiest swashbuckler of all, Captain Jack Sparrow. If you’re a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean films, recruiting characters from the movies as tacticians is obviously a dream.

Each of your ships can be upgraded and customized as well, and once you’ve amassed a sizable number of ships, all of the individual customization options allow you to build out a fleet that’s truly your own. From boosting stats in multiple categories, to changing the look of your fleet with color-coordinated pirate flags, to hiring and training crew, it’s easy to get lost in tweaking your fleet to express your personal style.

The best part about building out your fleet is sending them out to the high seas to engage in strategic naval warfare, pillaging and plundering islands and rival fleets, and taking on the pesky East India Trading Company as well as a host of formidable aquatic foes like giant lobsters, banshees, and ancient octopi. The spoils of war are treasures and resources that you can use to upgrade and repair your fleet and build out your fortress to become self-sufficient and withstand attacks from invading enemies.

If you’re a fan of city-building games, Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War thoroughly satisfies with its fortress progression system that allows you to level up a variety of facilities that help support your fleet and protect your assets. For beginners, series mainstay Joshamee Gibbs guides players through the fundamentals of the game by setting goals and offering handy tips.

Speaking of familiar elements from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, the game is filled to the brim with references to the films. As previously mentioned, many fan-favorite characters from the films appear as tacticians, but what’s just as cool is that their ships are available to recruit as well, from the Black Pearl, to the Flying Dutchman, to the Silent Mary.

The most immersive nostalgia trip of all, however, is Shansa’s cave, where players can relive some of the most iconic moments and battles from the movies, like the epic clash at Port Royal, and Jack Sparrow’s standoff with Captain Barbossa at Isla de Muerta. 

There’s no shortage of connections to the films in the game itself, but perhaps the best reason for Pirates of the Caribbean fans to play is to connect with fellow die-hards via the game’s alliance system. Joining an alliance allows players to support each other with buildings, research, and trading, work toward group goals, and tackle PvE missions. The more alliance members chip in, the higher their Alliance Power and Alliance Silver rise.

It’s a lot of fun to partake in a shared in-game experience, but the real beauty of Tides of War is that you can message your fellow alliance members and geek out about all things Pirates of the Caribbean. The game has a thriving community of thousands of players who share the same love of the films and lore, and seven years into the game’s lifespan, the player base looks to only grow bigger. 

Best of all, for Tides of War’s 7th Anniversary this summer, Joycity is offering a litany of exciting new features and events for players to enjoy. Three new Tacticians will be made available to players, each equipped with unique buffs to help you and your alliance on your way to victory on the high seas. Also included in the update is a powerful new ship for players to add to their fleet: the formidable Triton’s Fury! On top of that, brand-new Monsters, Fortresses, and deep-water denizens will be introduced as well.

But the 7th Anniversary festivities don’t stop there: the highly anticipated Battle Pass, known as the Caribbean Pass in-game, will offer participating pirate Captains a chance to unlock the stunning Rose Garden Territory Skin. There are also a series of events coming up that players won’t want to miss, like an all-inclusive Attendance Event, a 7th Anniversary Collection Event, and several social events on the game’s official Facebook page.

There’s no doubt that Pirates of the Caribbean has one of the most enthusiastic fan bases out there, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War is the perfect place for fans to connect. There’s simply no better way to immerse yourself in the world and lore of the Disney movies than to take up the pirate life yourself and head out on the open ocean with your best mates.

You can download Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War now on the iOS App Store, Google Play Store, and the brand-new PC version available on the official website.

There’s no doubt that Pirates of the Caribbean has one of the most enthusiastic fan bases out there, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War is the perfect place for fans to connect. There’s simply no better way to immerse yourself in the world and lore of the Disney movies than to take up the pirate life yourself and head out on the open ocean with your best mates.

You can download Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War now on the iOS App Store, Google Play Store, and the brand-new PC version available on the official website.

https://tidesofwar.joycity.com/en

https://www.denofgeek.com/games/why-pirates-of-the-caribbean-tides-of-war-is-still-so-great-to-play-7-years-later/