Great Barrier Reef

Thursday August 6th, 2009
Great Barrier Reef
Today was a very busy day. We had to be at the wharf at 7:30 AM to board the Reef Experience boat. When we got up this morning it was a little cloudy so we were not sure what the day would bring. We were the first to board the boat. As we boarded they fitted you with swim fins, a wet suit, mask and snorkel. We had to fill all medical info and waivers for the diving and snorkeling excursion. Onboard the boat they had breakfast awaiting which you ate while filling out the paperwork. Hot beverages were served but only while the boat was docked. The sun kept trying to peek through but boy was it windy. Our adventure began with a 90 minute ride to get to the reef. The ride was definitely not a smooth one as we were fighting the tide and the wind. Lots of waves. Definitely not a ride for Joan. Jim and John you probably would have loved it. To pass the time away they did some nice presentations on the reef which is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. Jack had wanted to do the introductory dive, but the water conditions as well as the medical questionnaire made him a little hesitant, especially when they asked if you were flying within the next 24 hours (which we are). Donna was not so sure she would enter the water as she needs to see the bottom and doesn’t like things swimming around her. PLUS…the conditions were less than what she had hoped.
Once they anchored, they first had to transport the passengers who were staying at the floating resort right on the water. They also transported food supplies to the resort and brought back the food the resort prepared for our lunch. People then began putting on their snorkeling gear and went into the Pacific Ocean. Jack/dad probably managed to embarrass his daughter’s again by wearing a diving suit…SPANDEX. Jack went in but quickly came back in as the current kept pushing him back. The waves were high enough that they kept throwing water back into his snorkeling tube. About an hour later they brought the glass bottom boat out , which was actually the same boat used to transport people and food to the resort. To get into the boat you actually had to walk on the boat platform that was in the ocean. The water was a lot warmer than we expected however the air temperature was a lot colder than expected.. Both of us went on the glass bottom boat and took a ride out to the reef. The neat thing about that was that we not only got to see it but we got a narration of what we were seeing. So yes we did get to see the great barrier reef. We did get some pictures but it was hard to get some of the fish as they were swimming too fast. Each time the driver turned the motor down for us to explore, the current would drift us away from the reef.
Next they fed us lunch while transporting us to the second location for snorkeling. Here the water was a little calmer and you did not have to swim out as far to the reef. Jack decided to try again. He was glad he did. He got the chance to see more coral and lots more fish. Although it was a little calmer, he said it was the roughest water he had ever experienced snorkeling. Needless to say this was all the more reason Donna kept her experience to the glass bottom boat. The crew on board were great … especially Nadine. Jack used his charm and got his picture taken with her.
We met a couple and their 29 year old son who were from England. We hit it off well and spent the whole time conversing with each other. Their son Gary, like so many other youth we have met here, is on a work VISA. He has been here 22 months and his parents came to visit him. We found out that we and the other couple had a lot in common. Sue and Steve were here in Australia for the 1st time. She works in special education in England and we shared stories of the way special education works in each of our countries. After the excursion, the 5 of us went back down to PJ O’Brien’s to talk.
One of the things that has amazed us here, is how many young adults are here on work VISA’s as backpackers. They don’t live to work but rather work to live allowing the opportunity to explore Australia. Many come and get a job, work till their work is done and then travel on to the next city. The stories they share of where they have been makes you envious. We learned that Cairns is a backpackers haven…lots of places to stay (hostels, backpacker rooms) and lots of opportunities. We have met young adults (the 18-29 range) from Denmark, Ireland, England… They are given a 1 year VISA but if you work on a farm (like for picking fruit) you can get your VISA extended for another12 months. Some were here to get their diving certificate and then plan to go to Thailand. The opportunities they have to travel and work are amazing.
Well tomorrow we depart for Melbourne. We are truly excited about this because every one we talk to tells us how much we will love it. We arrive at 5 tomorrow evening and since we are only here till Monday, we will be kept busy getting all the things done that we want to. Hearing more about Melbourne, makes us wish we had a few more days there.
If the pictures don’t make it on tonight we will add them once in Melbourne.