Relaxing Ocean Videos

To me the most relaxing place to be is out in nature, hike mountains, explore forests, observe wildlife, and to be on- and beneath the ocean.

I believe that nature is of great importance to all of us, but also that it is common that circumstances not always allow people to spend the time wished for and needed in the wild.

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Film and pictures of nature and wildlife don’t replace being out there, but can offer a small “nature-reminder” and a break from the daily schedule when many might not have the access to be outdoors.

The following two ocean videos are made for you to relax, good for a meditative break, to use while practicing yoga or to enjoy before bed.

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Let us first bring you to the stunning world of dolphins and whales with 20 minutes of footage from Norway, Azores, Red Sea, Mediterranean and the vast, blue Atlantic, where we meet cetaceans such as sperm whales, humpbacks, orcas, pilot whales and other oceanic dolphins.

In the second video we bring you to the fascinating world of corals, from warm, tropical waters to the much darker and colder, yet amazingly beautiful, depths of Scandinavia. Another 20 minutes to appreciate the truly amazing world there is hidden beneath the surface!

Mast & Sails Back In Place

Baie de Prony, New Caledonia, South Pacific, September 2021

After many weeks spent in the boat yard for maintenance work of mainly mast and rigging, we finally have mast and sails back in place.

The timing is good as the weather shows up with a couple of days of perfect conditions for a test sail. So good to finally have both sails up!

We have freshly been stocking the boat up with food and water when the blue lagoon welcomes us back to its magical world. 

This is just in time before another lockdown is about to happen...

The news has it that the virus has entered New Caledonia´s covid-free bubble. With one night's notice, the entire territory is put under strict lockdown. As this means no islet visits nor lagoon navigation are allowed, we instead head to the sheltered area of Baie de Prony, at the southern tip of New Caledonia. 

Surrounded by the luscious vegetation and chanting birds, we are thankful that the timing allowed us to get back to nature, where we now can spend a more relaxed time during the many weeks of isolation.

The Amazing Cephalopods

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They can change their colours and patterns in milliseconds, have three hearts and their blod turns blue when exposed to air. No wonders these intelligent and highly mobile creatures  have long haunted the human imagination, inspiring mythology dating back to ancient Greek culture!

We find them world over and they keep continue to captivate the human mind and imagination, they are the Cephalopods.

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The Greek word “cephalopod” translates to “head-foot” and is any member of the molluscan class Cephalopoda, including (see pics below) squid (pic 1), cuttlefish (pic 2), octopus (pic 3) and nautilus.

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It is always a highlight when encountering a Cephalopod during a dive. The following video is from one of our dives in Gullmarsfjorden, at the west coast of Sweden, where late summer´s nights offer the possibility to encounter the cute Common bobtail, an approx 3cm small cuttlefish.

Videos below by my father Armin Mueck 🦑🦑🦑

In most places we go, we normally find octopuses, each with their own personality. Some are more shy while others are very curious and courageous. Next video is from one of our shore dives in the Azores.

Here in New Caledonia, where I currently am, we often see squids and sometimes cuttlefishes at the reef. This is also a place where one might be fortunate to encounter nautiluses while diving. Who knows, maybe I will be lucky to meet one of those living fossils. Time will tell! :-)

Love Making Wolf Fish

Love making fish?

In most fish species, fertilisation takes place outside the female’s body, with the male and female release their roe and milt into the water. 

There are however some species that do internal fertilization, the wolffish, also known as the seawolf or catfish, is one of them.

The following sequence, filmed by my father Armin Mueck and narrated by my sister Nanna, shows unique footage of Atlantic wolf fish literally making love. 

This sequence was shot for the movie “Fish don’t cry” (teaser below).

For trailers and more underwater footage of various kind, visit our YouTube channel: Crystal Water Film Production

Mast Down

Nouville, New Caledonia, End of July 2021

After months of waiting to get an appointment and space, it finally happened. The mast is down for inspection and maintenance!

While we will now spend a few weeks working on essential jobs on both mast and boat, we will also take the opportunity to enjoy the extra free space we now have got when the mast is off! 

Feels kind of nice with no rigging or ropes in the way ;-)

 

From Vivid Blue To Luscious Green

Prony Bay, New Caledonia, South Pacific, July 2021

New Caledonia is normally a windy place with trade winds, depressions and seasonal cyclones. 

Now, during the southern hemisphere’s winter, the cyclone season is over, but smaller depressions with plenty wind are still many.

When the week long gales are lining up one after the other, making the lagoon life rather cold and choppy, it is nice to exchange the reef- and island life to instead explore the greener and more protected bays.

We are at the south point of New Caledonia, finding shelter in an area called Prony. The green, flourishing vegetation and red earth is a big contrast to the blue colours of the lagoon.

Not only does it feel good to stretch the legs a bit when exploring this new area by fot, but very interesting to have a closer look on the various vegetation life growing in the humid forest and dryer hills.

Like so often when exploring the natural beauty of New Caledonia, it feels like as we have stepped back into a prehistoric place.

From vivid blue and luscious green to soothing grey, the infinite beauty surrounds us everywhere. Always.

Great South Lagoon

Great South Lagoon, New Caledonia, South Pacific, June 2021

Some pictures from our recent time on the blue, where we have been taking the opportunity to enjoy the total calmness to explore a bit more of the great south lagoon before the strong gales begin to line up!