Sunday, August 26, 2018

Australia! Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef! Episode 13

Once again up before sunrise only to be rewarded with a beautiful sunrise off the shore right in front of our hotel/resort. In the last 24 hours we have traveled from desert to tropical. What a transition! It is also much much warmer. Time to break out the shorts. Yea! Today is also one of the main reasons, in my opinion, travelers choose this tour — the Great Barrier Reef. It is beyond all description. We had the good fortune of perfect weather and that there is no photographic evidence, that I know of, of the lot of us in those ever flattering full body Lycra suits. Our tour guide Matt, orchestrated the day brilliantly. We got on board this huge catamaran that holds 100+ (not that many today), set off for the 90 minute cruise to a very little sand quay - rookery for brown footed boobies, sooty terns and tons more birds. Upon arrival, we scored seats on the first sailing of the submerged sub ride around the coral. Fabulous. Got a pic of a sea turtle and lots of coral. Lunch, then boat shuttle over to the quay for an afternoon of a lifetime memorable experience. The only pics we have to share is in Kelley's camera. Who knows, some may show up on Facebook. What we can share is that this was the absolutely most amazing experience snorkeling ever in our lives. The coral, in its innumerable forms, were so brilliant and alive. There was what appeared to be a rock was no such thing. Dotted on its surface was what looked like lips that would purse themselves together as we swam by. We swam with and say sting rays, a reef shark, star fish, urchin, giant clams, sea cucumbers, and too many kinds of fish to name. Absolutely a thrill to be here and to experience.
Tomorrow, the rain forest with an aboriginal guide. Keep reading!

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