Blue on Blue

"Blue on blue" can be used in a broad sense to describe something that is completely different from another person or thing. Today the ocean was like none other we've witnessed before. The water was smooth, more like a lake, rather than an ocean with waves tumbling across the surface. So what makes the ocean so blue? Well, the ocean appears blue due to the way water absorbs colors in the light spectrum. Water molecules absorb colors in the red part of the spectrum, leaving behind colors in the blue part of the spectrum for us to see.This effect is intensified in the ocean, making the blue appear darker. In shallow water, floating particles like sand, silt, algae, and corals absorb light wavelengths differently than water, which can change the color of the water we see. And in deeper waters, light from the sun interacts with water molecules which can then be absorbed or scattered. If nothing is in the water except water molecules, light of shorter wavelengths is more likely to hit something and scatter, making the ocean appear blue. In shallow areas with clear water, light reaches the ocean floor, bounces off the sandy bottom, and turns the water a brilliant blue - this is apparently what caused the blue, blue ocean we observed today

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The day at sea was truly serene, and if the captain hadn't announced to look to the port side of the ship, we would have missed the spectacular show put on by our fellow ocean-goers. Thanks to Juergen Draxler, who granted me permission to share the video he created, you too can experience the mesmerizing sight of a school of dolphins, which reminded me of a group of water ballerinas, as they gracefully danced alongside our ship. [Be sure to turn up the volume to fully appreciate the creativity of the production.]

I hope you enjoyed that as much as we did here on the Serenade of the Seas!