|
1. What
makes the postcard waterproof?
The postcards are a synthetic product called Syntek and the weight is
340gsm. So a plastic like product. The Syntec material is basically made
of a mixture of clay (calcium carbonate) and polypropylene resin. It is
non-toxic and has the look, feel and printability of paper, plus the
durability of plastic. They are tough, waterproof, tear-resistant,
impervious to grease, oils, chemicals and the elements. They can also
withstand high temperatures and humidity.
2. How does the underwater embossing work?
The embossing is done by a small hand held machine that makes raised areas
in the shape of the cancellation.
3. The underwater post office is open for how many hours each day? How
many people work there?
The Post Office is open for about one hour on most days, and longer if
there is much interest. Usually one staff member in the Post Office but we
always have some else in the water nearby for safety reasons. When the
Post Office is not staffed there is a drop box that customers can swim
down to and post the cards. We trained four of our staff to get their open
water dive certificate, and sometimes the dive masters at Hideaway Island
operate the Post office of our behalf.
4. What's so special about Hideaway Island and the marine life in
Vanuatu?
Hideaway Island is a tropical atoll surrounded by pristine coral reefs
teeming with thousands of different tropical fish in all colours shapes
and sizes. Because the water is clean and free from urban run-off and
agricultural waste the reef environment is flourishing with the different
creatures of the reef all there in the correct amounts to make a balanced
stable environment. Consequently there are huge anemones housing hundreds
of clown fish, lots of different varieties of hard corals from spiky
staghorns to large flat plates and beautiful fan corals too and thousands
of fish, colourful filter feeders like star fish and sea cucumbers and
Christmas tree worms. Although you see different things at different
depths, it all starts right off the shore where the post office sits
surrounded by coral, fish and other reef animals. Some images our on our
and Hideaways web sites.
5. How has the underwater post office been received so far? What's the
reaction?
The underwater post office has been extremely popular - with both the land
lovers and the marine life. Not only have we had hundreds of people
posting cards from it, the fish are starting to call it home and at one
stage an octopus was eyeing off the post box next to the post office with
a view to moving in. He eventually decided that he'd rather live in a
nearby crevice and keep an eye on all the activity from there.
|
