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Published: November 1st 2007
Great Barrier Reef
Quicksilver CatamaranJust an over night in Alice Springs before my 2 hour flight to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef I am staying at the Sea Temple Resort and Spa which is about an hours drive north of Cains at Port Douglas on the east Coast I arrived in the late afternoon and it was still very warm My appartment is amazing with 2 bedrooms and a swimout facility into the huge pool which surrounds the complex Finally I am able to do a bit of washing as getting a little low on essentials!!
The next morning it was very warm and sunny although there had been some rain in the night which made everything smell very fresh After breakfast the Quicksilver coach arrived to take me to the marina where the huge Catamaran was waiting to sail over to Agincourt Reef on the Outer Barrier Reef a journey taking about an hour and a half The Great Barrier Reef extends for 2,300km along the north eastern coast of Australia It is not one reef but a network of about 2900 individual reefs and is the same area as the UK! We are at the edge of the continental shelf where the
Great Barrier Reef
Quicksilver Pontoon at Argincourt Reef water donps quickly to ocean depths of 2000 metres This means we had clear ocean water which provides life for the reef with average visibility of 15 metres underwater I decided to go on a snorkling tour with a marine biologist to an area away from the Quicksilver pontoon We had a great time snorkling in the clear waters for about 45mins and were able to see some mushroon, plate, staghorn and brain coral and many fish including one huge Wrasse which decided to join us (See photos) Once back at the pontoon there was time for lunch and more snorkling around the pontoon and a ride in a semi sub which allowed us to see more of the area without getting wet and were lucky enough to see some dolphins swim by I hired an underwarter camera so managed to get a few good shots of the marine and fish life What an amazing place to visit and another lasting memory I opted to fly back to Port Douglas by helicopter which again was fantastic to see the reef from above at 500 feet The 30minute journey took us back over the clear reef waters we even saw a
Great Barrier Reef
Me getting ready for some snorkling hammer head shark! Then passing by Snapper Island at the mouths of the Mossman and Daintree rivers and where I am heading after Port Douglas Again an oppounity to take some great photos which I hope you will enjoy to get a flavour of this amazing World Heritage Site
Tomorrow Monday 29th is going to be a quiet day enjoying the Sea Temple Resort and the Four Mile Beach nearby and discovering the Town of Port Douglas I will be thinking of you all working hard as I enjoy the sunshine and peace of this area.......
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Wendy
non-member comment
Great Barrier Reef
Hi intrepid traveller! What great photos, I think we are enjoying your travels nearly as much as you are! We are already planning your next adventure so that we can see different parts of the world through your blog. Keep enjoying it all. Lotsaluv Wendy x