The Awesome Barrier Reef
Trip Start
Aug 10, 2007
1
15
92
Trip End
Dec 27, 2007
Cairns,
Australia
Friday, August 31, 2007
What a brilliant day, my best so far. We hired an underwater camera, got a plastic underwater bag for Julie's camera and we boarded our Sunlover's cruise from Cairns.
We cruised on a catamaran for 90 minutes, 40kms offshore. The boat then moored next to a pontoon on the reef. We had a delicious hot/cold buffet, especially enjoying a big pile of prawns!
Then we grabbed our goggles, fins and snorkels and dived in next to the pontoon. There is a big area marked out with buoys for beginner snorkelers and divers that we practiced in. We then went off on a 40 minute guided tour of the reef
Clam
. Our instructor had a life ring attached to him and as we swim along you can grab on and rest by hanging onto the life ring if need be.It was indescribable ..... he showed us amazing coral, fish, and such like. Jules and I were snapping away much better with the underwater camera. He took us far from the boat and pontoon and it was difficult at times as the swells were quite large and water would keep going down the snorkel. If granny is correct and seawater is good for you, then I am very good as I swallowed most of the water around the reef!
After our snorkel we then went for a ride on the semi submerged boat, basically you sit below the sea level and watch the fish and reef through the glass all around.
After that we got back into the water and took short videos of each other snorkeling. Hopefully the videos will be uploaded soon for you to see.
Then back inside the catamaran for coffee and biscuits on the way back.
The cat goes really fast and sits in the water with the front pointing up out of the water while the back is low in the water. It was really fun going over the shipping lane as we hit huge swells and the cat rocked 'n rolled. We were having fun but quite a few Asian people were puking their guts out.
So, all too soon it was over and we were back in Cairns. But a day never to be forgotten and now we look even more forward to snorkeling in Mexico, on the 2nd biggest reef in the world.
Comments
Hi
Hi Greg and Jules
gill and i r laughing hysterically about your encounter with the cable car! we first looked at the fotos and commented to each other about how u looked like u were stuck to the side of the cable car and then read the 'report'! shame, rather u than me! i think that u and i r on a par with dad with heights but at least u still went up there, not too sure if i would have had the courage! seems to us that u r enjoying ausie already. took dad to the airport, hate it tho because he always looks sooooo alone when he walks towards the plane, tries to keep a brave face but i dont think he enjoys travelling on his own. he was a bit worried about the long flight but i think once he sees u he will be very very happy. keep on enjoying yourselves, sounds really awesome, savour every moment. we r thoroughly enjoying this travel blog, brilliant idea! lots and lots of love us
Hi Jules and Greg
What a hoot!! Greg, we really didn't know that you could tell such a funny story! Dad and i were in hysterics with your cable-car encounter. Dad really enjoyed reading about the coral-reef. Jules your days of snorkling at Cosy Corner must have come in handy. What a fantastic time you are having. Will all these entries stay on the travelpod until you arrive home...you would really enjoy reading them again. Jules, I have managed to get in touch with the place where Felicity Meikle works in Canberra. Kristie, the lady I contacted, has forwarded my email to Felicity, so I should hear from her this weekend & will forward her email to you so that you can contact her...it would be fun to see her again. I'm sure you are looking forward to the arrival of Greg's Dad...enjoy the time with him. God bless and much love.
Dad and Mom xxx