Cyclone Jasper Is Coming to Cairns, Australia

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DISCLAIMER: Bill Gates decided to remove the “ability to capture a still photo from a movie” tool during his latest “update,” so you’re missing out on some tremendous scenic shots of the Great Barrier Reef. Thanks again, Bill!

Tour Day 61-63, Cairns, Australia – Part 2 Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruise

I selected this particular vendor for the Great Barrier Reef trip because the advertising touts free hotel pick-up. What I saved in two Uber trips damn near paid for the excursion itself and definitely made it much, much cheaper than any of the competition. The ride to Green Island was just over an hour. I had paid the premium for both the glass-bottom boat and the semi-submersible experiences and was scheduled for the former shortly after we were moored to the Green Island dock. About fifteen to twenty minutes after the glass-bottom boat returned, it was time to board the semi-submersible. Fortunately, I did take a couple of stills during the glass-bottom boat trip but, alas, only videos during the semi-submersible ride. I’ve done both the glass-bottom boat and a fully submersible in Hawaii, but the Great Barrier Reef is ten times as scenic as Hawaii. I found the semi-submersible more interesting because I was looking at the sides of the fish vs. the tops as on the glass-bottom boat. We’ve only been on Green Island for an hour and a half and all the fun is over! What’s up with that? But wait, there’s lunch (of course, there is a premium). Actually, the all-you-can-eat hot buffet was quite good with a handful of main entrée choices and all the other yada, yada, yada.

I had a ticket on the Spirit of Queensland, an overnight train, scheduled for Wednesday 13-14 DEC from Cairns to Brisbane; however, the city was abuzz with are you leaving or going to stay and weather the storm with us. The worst of the storm was predicted to hit Cairns on, you guessed it, Wednesday. I checked to see if I could get my train ticket moved forward a day. Sorry, all sold out. The Internet headlines got my attention – "Supermarket shelves stripped as Cyclone Jasper edges closer to north Queensland," “‘Not a drill’: Grim cyclone warning issued” and "Tropical cyclone Jasper: widespread Queensland weather warning as BoM (Bureau of Meteorology) considers evacuating staff." I really chickened out on Monday, got a Tuesday flight to Brisbane and told the innkeepers I’d be leaving on a 12–something flight on Tuesday. Monday evening, the staff made a visit to my room (there are no phones in the rooms – you’re on vacation!) and, concerned my flight was midnightish instead of noonish, told me the airport was shutting down operations on Tuesday at 2300. I expressed my thanks for their concern.

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Photos

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruise
Everything About the Boat Was Great - Comfy Seats, Good Sound System, Great A/C

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruise
A Mariner Biologist with a Passion for Her Work

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruise
Waiting for Our Turn

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruise
We Weren't the Only Fish in the Sea

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruise
Now, It's Our Turn

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruise
Stairs Led to the Belly of the Boat Where a Portal for Each Passenger Offered Views of the Reef and the Reef's Critters

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruise
Some Opted to Snorkel

Amaroo at Trinity Beach
Downhill to the Eateries ...

Amaroo at Trinity Beach
... And Uphill Back to the Resort