20 Feb Great Barrier Reef Experience

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Today marks the end of our second week away and boy what a way to end it. WE were excited and apprehensive about our trip arguably the most beautiful part of the Great Barrier Reef. The weather was fine and forecast to get better as we set out on the fast cat with 67 other passengers to explore the reef led by a team of experts enthusiasts obsessed with the protection of the reef. After an hour we stopped for the round of snorkelling. We both found the conditions difficult and only spent about half an hour in the water most of it battling against the strong current to get back to the boat. The second stop was better – the tide was turning and more of the reef was exposed making the water calmer. This was the first opportunity to see the beauty of the reef. The water was amazingly clear and the hard and soft coral and the fish were a wonder to behold. Even the highest quality HD pictures could never be better than the experience of seeing this amazing living organism at first hand. After lunch we travelled to the outer reef known as the ‘ribbon’ due to it being long and narrow. After this you reach the edge of the continental shelf and a depth of over a mile. This was the best swim of all and we must have spent an hour in the water observing at first hand giant clam, turtle, trigger fish, the little ‘Nemo’ and a host of other beautiful coloured fish too numerous to list (or remember!). Although it was stinger season there were no serious stings and our excursion finished with a cup of tea and a piece of cake before setting off again for home. Our evaluation with the team went something like “surpassed our expectations, informed, competent and friendly crew and altogether a ‘top ten’ experience” We would recommend this to everyone who wants to experience the beauty of the reef but wishing to understand the threats to its existence. Back home to crash out and watch a couple of DVDs tonite

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Photos

At the Marina before we set off
The boat was a fast craft catamaran

Great Barrier Reef
The outer area known as the Ribbon Reef

Marina in the lyrca suit
Aqua Marina

A fish
Anyone recognise it?