article_snippet.sent: Probably the most extraordinary thing about the island is that the island was ever found at all.
article_snippet.sent: But almost from the moment Portuguese explorer Juan de Nova was blown there by the Trade Winds in 1502 Portuguese explorer Juan de Nova assumed an importance out of all proportion to Portuguese explorer Juan de Nova size.
article_snippet.sent: For me at times though it seems even further back
article_snippet.sent: and I think a lot about all those ancient mariners crossing this vast ocean where in a ten-day round trip we sight only two other ships and even the wandering albatrosses say goodbye after a couple of days.
article_snippet.sent: It’s good preparation for the island itself which emerges from the waves at dawn like a dream.
article_snippet.sent: I seemed to fill almost every hour of the nine days I spent there while the ship sailed on to Ascension Island and back.
article_snippet.sent: it was one of the loveliest places where I have ever swum.
article_snippet.sent: we were too late for the seasonal visit of whale sharks but 200 dolphins did whale sharks best to compensate, cavorting around we boat as we sailed out to the seabird colonies.
article_snippet.sent: I also had an enchanting afternoon watching wirebirds,
article_snippet.sent: I was pretty puffed up with pride but quickly deflated when I learned the record stands at 5 minutes 11 seconds.