It's always sunny in Kota Kinabalu 😊
I've always wanted to go to the Marine Ecology Research Center (MERC) at Gayana Island Resort, so when the company asks us if we wanted to go for a day trip..... I replied within seconds.
I absolutely love educational trips, totally my thing!
Upon arriving Gayana Island Resort, we were welcomed by friendly folks who took us for a short tour around the resort and spoke about their many and excellent conservation efforts. Some of the efforts include reducing plastic usages and replacing them with zero waste items like steel bottles instead of plastic.
Living in the islands are no easy feat, you have to truly be as sustainable as you can to avoid wastage. Many things are imported from the lands.
The tour included an educational videographic about the importance of the giant clams in the sea's ecosystem. Some of the main things, if not the most important, is the fact that giant clams are the sea's natural vacuum. They clean the sea through a photosynthesis and puts back out a cleaner environment. I tried reading further online, they are also food, shelter to some of the marine life and reef shapers.
After the video, we were brought to the live aquarium for our own hands on experiment. I am a bit estranged at the idea of involving animals, in any form, so I kept asking the guide.
Are you sure we can touch it??
Are you sure??
I was also very scared.. so.
The starfish especially gives me the creepers.
After the hands on experiment, we were invited to plant our own coral. This is to make sure, new corals are continuously planted to replace any corals that have been severely damaged due to over tourism, over fishing, and so on.
The lot of us successfully planted a bunch which looked so promising. Very happy to have planted the corals and took part in a sustainable program.
After a tiring morning of learning, and touching... we were invited for lunch at the Alu-Alu restaurant. Another remarkable restaurant that uses and farms its own produce, including their fishes and prawns.
I know it's weird to be eating seafood after the tour, but knowing they're farmed organically and sustainable makes it all around actually a great experience. And it was delicious! We were so full by the end of what seemed like a 10 course and dessert.
Anyway, if you ever have the chance to visit Marine Ecology Research Center (MERC), please do so! It's educational and so much fun.
Love,
Jacqueline Rowena @ Jacqkie.
I've always wanted to go to the Marine Ecology Research Center (MERC) at Gayana Island Resort, so when the company asks us if we wanted to go for a day trip..... I replied within seconds.
I absolutely love educational trips, totally my thing!
Upon arriving Gayana Island Resort, we were welcomed by friendly folks who took us for a short tour around the resort and spoke about their many and excellent conservation efforts. Some of the efforts include reducing plastic usages and replacing them with zero waste items like steel bottles instead of plastic.
Living in the islands are no easy feat, you have to truly be as sustainable as you can to avoid wastage. Many things are imported from the lands.
The tour included an educational videographic about the importance of the giant clams in the sea's ecosystem. Some of the main things, if not the most important, is the fact that giant clams are the sea's natural vacuum. They clean the sea through a photosynthesis and puts back out a cleaner environment. I tried reading further online, they are also food, shelter to some of the marine life and reef shapers.
After the video, we were brought to the live aquarium for our own hands on experiment. I am a bit estranged at the idea of involving animals, in any form, so I kept asking the guide.
Are you sure we can touch it??
Are you sure??
I was also very scared.. so.
The starfish especially gives me the creepers.
After the hands on experiment, we were invited to plant our own coral. This is to make sure, new corals are continuously planted to replace any corals that have been severely damaged due to over tourism, over fishing, and so on.
The lot of us successfully planted a bunch which looked so promising. Very happy to have planted the corals and took part in a sustainable program.
After a tiring morning of learning, and touching... we were invited for lunch at the Alu-Alu restaurant. Another remarkable restaurant that uses and farms its own produce, including their fishes and prawns.
I know it's weird to be eating seafood after the tour, but knowing they're farmed organically and sustainable makes it all around actually a great experience. And it was delicious! We were so full by the end of what seemed like a 10 course and dessert.
Anyway, if you ever have the chance to visit Marine Ecology Research Center (MERC), please do so! It's educational and so much fun.
Love,
Jacqueline Rowena @ Jacqkie.
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