Marathonissi Island EarthCache
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This Earthcache is about the Island of Marathonissi. Marathonissi is a special small private Island lying in the National Marine Park of Zakynthos. At the coordinates you are on the sandy beach of Marathonissi Island. The Island has the shape of a turtle, and turtles are lying there eggs on the beach, so this Island is called "Turtle Island". The whole area was shaped by a big earthquake.
Marathonissi
Until the second world war the island was lived, today it has neither inhabitants nor buildings. It's a green Island covered with pine, olive and oak trees. You can visit the island by private boat or by organized tourist visits by caique and for the stronger ones there is the possibility to go by canoes and maybe meeting turtles. For going to the beach of Marathonissi pay attention that as the island is inside the Marine Park the anchorages is not legal. Marathonissi is surrounded by the most clear sea water and there are two beautiful beaches: one of pebbles, reachable by swimming from a huge cave, and created from the rock of the Island, which is not a correct media for turtle nests. The other one is a large sandy area smoothly gliding towards the sea. The island has two reefs, called Pontikonisia, that in the old times were linked to the cape of Marathias. Because of these two reefs and the limestone underground, the sand on the beach has such a wonderful white colour. This creates an environment for turtles to nest. It's forbidden to enter the beach more than 5 meters because of the nests.
From the sky
For those who love the sun the sandy beach is the best whereas for those who love snorkeling. The pebble one is perfect to visit the cave (on the right to the beach) and other smaller ones are partly submerged full of starfish and concretions. The island offers no snack bars, electricity or anything that may disturb the turtles. Taking this into consideration it is advisable to take food and beverage when going there. One more peculiar thing about the island: Zakynthos is famous for the turtles and also for the last specimen of Monacus Monacus seals that populate its shores. One of those seals chose one of the small caves of Marathonissi as its “Summer residence”, we leave to the more adventurous ones the pleasure to discover it.
Optional photo: In front of the board on the beach
TO LOG THE CACHE
Send me the answeres to the following questions by email.
After sending the answeres you may immediately log this cache.
Logs with wrong or no answeres will be deleted. Please mention no answeres in your log.
Thanks.
QUESTIONS
1) When you enter the sandy beach what can you tell me about the size of the grains of sand?
2) When yo come to the other side of the Island, the pebbles beach area, what is the main colour of the stones lying here?
3) The sand is very white, because of the reefs and limestone underground. The sandy beach is also facing north while the other beaches in the area are facing south. Both is the reason that the turtle nests on this beach don't reach temperatures above 29 degrees Celcius. The white sand reflects the sun. What does that mean for the turtles that are born here?
OPTIONAL PHOTO
Optional: Make a photo on the beach as the one in the log above in front of the board.
SOURCES
www.zanteisland.com
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)