From My Travel Readings This Week
Christmas Island is a remote Australian territory located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2,600 kilometers (1,615 miles) northwest of Perth, Australia, and 350 kilometers (217 miles) south of Java, Indonesia. Covering an area of 135 square kilometers (52 square miles), it has a small population of around 1,800 people, primarily residing in the settlements of Flying Fish Cove and Poon Saan.
The island is renowned for its incredible biodiversity and unique ecosystems, with over 60% of its area designated as a national park. It is perhaps best known for the annual migration of millions of red crabs💚, a natural spectacle where the crabs move en masse from the forest to the ocean to spawn. This event is considered one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife phenomena.
Christmas Island's coral reefs and crystal-clear waters make it a haven for snorkeling, diving, and fishing. Its marine environment hosts an abundance of tropical fish, sea turtles, and coral formations, while the surrounding waters are frequented by whale sharks.
The island’s culture reflects a blend of its Chinese, Malay, and European heritage, evident in its festivals, cuisine, and architecture. Despite its small size, Christmas Island offers a range of activities, including hiking through its rainforests, exploring caves, and birdwatching, as it is home to several endemic bird species such as the Christmas Island frigatebird.
Remote and tranquil, Christmas Island is a destination for those seeking a unique blend of natural wonders and cultural diversity in an unspoiled tropical setting.
Meanwhile, Why red roses for Valentine ?
Because in Greek mythology, these flowers were sacred to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. It is believed Aphrodite's tears and the blood of her lover, Adonis, watered the ground from where bushes of red roses grew. It then became a symbol of true love until death for the Romans.
The tradition of giving roses on Valentine's Day is deeply rooted in history, mythology, and cultural symbolism. From the legends of Aphrodite to the poetry of Chaucer and the Victorian language of flowers, roses have remained an enduring emblem of love, and passion.Two colors associated with Valentine's Day are red and pink. Red symbolizes love, passion, and romance, making it a quintessential color for expressing affection on this special day. Pink, often associated with tenderness and sweetness, complements red and adds a softer touch to Valentine's Day celebrations. Lastly here's my reading on Valentine Day:
We call today "Valentine’s Day" for a reason. It isn’t meant to be solely about cards and candy - though those may be a part of our celebrations. Rather, the day honors St. Valentine, a priest and martyr who gave his life not for an abstract idea of love, but for the sanctity of Holy Matrimony. In a time when Roman society celebrated many kinds of immoral love, he stood against adultery, the dehumanizing practices of casual sex, & the exploitation inherent in prostitution of adults & children; especially slaves. So today, hold your loved ones a little closer - especially your spouses. Whether you're nurturing a long-term relationship or exploring new connections, celebrate the beauty of genuine, procreative love, a gift from God. Let us not forget the sacred origins behind the name we give this day.
St. Valentine, priest and martyr for holy marriage, pray for us to God from your Heavenly reward: especially, for all spouses, & for all who honor virtuous love.
2 comments:
Hi David, We used to have a dear friend who went fishing on Christmas Island. I remember there was only one flight a week on the island. However, the crab migration was news to me. I received 2 dozen red roses from my nephew in San Diego for Valentine’s Day. 😘Shari🥰
Shari, two dozen red roses! WOW! Yes, Christmas Island is very isolated! Take Care and Thanks for your feed back on my blogs!
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