The Great Barrier Reef. One of the great reasons to go to this part of the world is a trip to the Barrier Reef. The six of us had booked a trip to the Agincourt Reef - at about 30km out definitely the outer part of the reef - next stop the 1,500 foot drop off the continental shelf.We went with a pretty slick organisation with their wave piercing high speed catamaran to spend the day attached to their pontoon. The only fly in the ointment is that we shared this wonderful experience with about 300 other people. Arriving at the pontoon, civilized humanity evaporated as 306 people charged for snorkelling gear.
Suitably togged up we had our first foray into the water and received two pretty quick shocks. First was that it may be an Ocean, but the Pacific isn't the North Atlantic: and with a temperature in the mid 20's was really pleasant to swim in. The second was that you have some idea of wondering around in the water waiting for the occassional fish to appear, but the minute your in there are fish everywhere, and evrey colour of the rainbow - its gobsmacking.
One of the highlights of the day for Sharon and I was Neil and Helen generously looking after the 2 girls while we went on an advanced snorkelling tour. "Advanced" or a large lunch had obviously put people off, and 4 of us and a marine biologist wandered/floated/swam off for an hour. The advantage with the expert was being taken to all the interesting spots and our eyes got wider and wider as we wandered from Giant Clams on the sea bed straight out of Hollywood 1930's movies, to sea sponges, to large coral gardens beatifully lit just a couple of feet below the surface. Its a bit of a pity really that one of the highlights with Neil and Helen visiting was the hour we didn't spend with them.
I took Neil's waterproof camera with me on this tour but didn't use it properly. Its pretty disappointing to think of all those great pics you took, and then get back on the boat and find there were none!
All to soon they day was over and we headed back to Cairns. Unfortunately, high on euphoria, the marketing spiel of a 20% discount for another tour was too much and we booked in again for later on the holiday on a slightly different tour.
One of the highlights for us was managing to feed the girls ice creams without a major clean-up operation being required! We also had great fun in the semi-sub and seeing the turtle, even fleetingly, was just fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI have never really considered myself an animal person but seeing all the amazing animals while we were there was fantastic.
Now I am back home I am missing it (and you all) more and more :-(