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Published: October 19th 2007
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Well we left Mission Beach a bit sad as it was a lovely place and we were just getting used to relaxing and sitting still!!
Next stop Townsville and the nearby Magnetic Island. Townsville itself doesn't have a lot to it apart from the Reef HQ and a nice sea frontage. The Reef HQ was very interesting and it gave us chance to learn a little bit more about the reef and how it is affected by so many things. They even gave a very informative talk done by a diver inside the tank with the Sharks!! We were lucky to visit on a Saturday when they feed the predator tank! Watching Reef sharks, Giant Trevally, Rays, a Tawny Nurse Shark and even a turtle tucking into there food still wasn't enough to put us off wanting to get back diving as soon as possible!!
The trip from Townsville to Magnetic Island is only a short 20min by boat so we set off for a day of sunshine and hopefuuly some snorkelling off the beaches. On the way over they were showing the France vs England game from the World Cup but the boat docked 2 mins from the
end!! A mad dash to the first internet place to check and we are in the final!!!
We decided to explore Magnetic Island the only way you really should - a Magnetic Moke!! This is basically a 4 seater Miniature jeep (photo will make it clearer!) Vicky was designated driver for the day as I couldn't fit in the drivers side!! I spent most of the time riding in the back, standing in the air and taking photos and video!!
We basically tried to see a bit of everything and moved around the island beach hopping. We had been advised on a couple of beaches that were good for snorkelling however on arrival at both the waves were far too big to allow any snorkelling. Even when we gave it a go anyway you couldn't see a thing due to the snad being churned up from the strong seas. It has been very windy here the last few days with wind speeds of 30knots+.
While in Townsville we tried to book a couple of dives to the SS Yongala. The boat trip was to be 3 hours long to reach it but luckily it was cancelled due
to the high winds. I say luckily as we then found a company an hours drive south who could take us there in 30mins!! So we headed to the small sugar town of Ayr and had an anxious 2 day wait to see if the weather would be ok for our trip......
We got the news at 4.00pm the day before that we were good to go!!! So it was up at 6.00am to be at the dive palce for 7.30am various forms filled in and we were on our way. The crew and instructors did give us warning though that the weather was still not ideal and the wind speeds were still around 20knots at sea. This combined with the fact that we were travelling in a glorified speedboat made the crossing a little bumpy to say the least. 30mins of leaping from wave to wave and we were above the wreck, I was feeling a little queasy and once I started putting my dive kit on that was it...... lean over the side and throw up!!!!! Vicky was absolutley fine, it must be the Cornish blood (Clive - you would have been very proud!!).
The Yongala
was a steamship that sunk during a Category 5 Cyclone in 1911 but was not discovered until 1958. It is 109m long and lies at between 15m - 28m of water. It is the only reef structure for miles around so attracts an incredible amount of Marine life. It is widely regarded as the best Wreck dive in Australia and one of the top ten dives in the world.
Due to its depth and the nature of the dive (currents and high seas!!) we decided to combine the trip with doing our Deep Dive training and Wreck Dive training. We both passed and these 2 dives now count towards the 5 adventure dives we have to complete to become Advanced Open Water divers!! Just Navigation and 2 others of our choosing to go!!
The 2 dives were absolutley incredible, the amount of marine life is staggering. You are surrounded from the moment you go under the water by such a variety of life it takes your breath away. Among the many creatures we saw were a few firsts for us - Sea Snakes! Moray Eels!! Turtles!! and the huge size of the Giant Trevally and Maori Wrasse. The
wreck itself was also very interesting, it is completley covered in every type of coral and peering down into old window gaps into the heart of the wreck was a little spooky considering over 100 people had died on this ship. Even while we were between dives we saw 3 turtles come up for air and float on the surface next to the boat and a sea snake popped up for some air very near us too.
After the 2nd dive I was quite keen for us to speed back to dry land as soon as possible so I wouldn't feel sick anymore!! On our return we had a big BBQ at the dive shop and that seemed to help me feel a little better! Despite the sea sickness on my part we both enjoyed the dive enormously and would tell anyone in this part of the world to make sure they do it!
We are now headed further south to Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays.......
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At last.....they're out!
Mr Palmer only commented this morning about Jason teasing us with the odd sneak preview of his moobs and was delighted to see a full topless frontal right before his eyes! I would be careful of Mr Tickle on your return if i were you Jase! Even the beard has gone, quite a transformation! Amazing underwater shots, keep 'em coming!