The Great Barrier Reef
2012-01-02
Monday morning we boarded a dive boat to head to the outer Great Barrier Reef. With the New Years Eve Fireworks being the number one reason we came to Australia, for me, the next must see activity was to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.
We headed out to the Kangaroo Explorer that was waiting for us at the reef. After a two hour extremely wavy ride out to the reef, along with numerous people throwing up, we made it to the boat. We had the sea sickness patches so lucky for us, we didn't get sick.
The boat held about 30 people and the visitors change daily. Some stay for a night, like us, or some stay two or three nights. We were put into our cabin that we had to share with two Swedish guys. The one guy of course we pre judged because he had some nasty wounds all over his face. We of course thought he was a fighter (although do Swedes fight?), anyway, it turns out that he had drank a little too much the night before and took a nasty fall.
So right away we had lunch and got our butts into the water for our first snorkel. The water was amazing, so warm and clear. We swam over to the reef and saw turtles and a huge amount of fish. I have snorkelled quite a bit, so I really enjoy it, but this time was different. There was nothing that really surprised me as far as fish goes, I feel I have seen most of them before. But what I do have a new appreciation for is the coral. I was more mesmerized by the beauty and colours, maybe it is because I was at the Great Barrier Reef, but it was stunning.
After returning to the boat for a short break and some delicious scones for a snack, I opted to go for an introductory dive… my first Scuba.
We got all geared up and headed into the water. It was awesome. I had snuba'd before in Mexico, but this was the first time with a tank actually strapped to my back. We went down with an instructor and got my first taste of deeper waters. Being with the instructor was great because he showed us some things that I wouldn't have known before… like that you can touch a clam… or that the little purple things that hang out of coral, if you go to touch them they will withdraw quick as lightening. So much fun… now I have underwater party tricks! I think I may be sold on the scuba and may have to sign myself up for a course.
The second day on the boat was just like the first except we were able to snorkel at 7am, 11am and 1 am. Each time we snorkelled we moved to a new location… so new fish and of course new coral for me to admire. Overall an amazing trip… so much fun!
The boat ride home was a lot more calm and without the vomit. An awesome trip on the reef… I can see why it is a Natural Wonder of the World!
Some of these pictures are pretty crappy from our under water camera and don't do what we saw any justice, but at least I took the pictures myself!
The company we used was: Cairns Dive