Because we spent all friday on the Great Barrier reef im gonna hand it over to the resident Marine Biologist on this trip.
On friday we decided that we would take a boat out to the great barrier reef!! This is the one thing that we both really wanted to do while in Australia. We took a large vessel called the Offsprey out of Cairns Marina and traveled to two outer reef sights; Saxon reef, and Hastings reef. Onboard the crew was great, and really really funny. WE met some nice people from Ireland and the Netherlands and chatted on our way out which took about an 1.5 hours. During this time we also took a mini class on how to scuba dive:) We planned to do an introductory dive at the first reef!! So exciting, we couldn't wait to be underwater with all the fish, coral, and SHARKS (didn't see any sharks sorry Anna). Chris and I put on all the gear (weights a ton I though I would sink right to the bottom!) and jumped in. We had to do two skill tests before diving and then we linked arms with two others and the insturctor and went for it! WE saw a ton of coral. I guess just a chunk can be anywhere between 50-70yrs old so amazing. THere were a ton of fish and giant oysters which closed up if you touched them. Our favorite was looking at all the colorful coral I think. Our dive was 18minutes at a depth of around 8meters. If felt like it only lasted 2minutes though. BUt after we snorkeled for a while longer and got back on the boat for a big Australian BBQ YUM!!!
THen we made our way to Hastings Reef. THis was the best stop of the day. Chris and I snorkeled for about 35min and saw so much stuff. THe coral was even more colorful here and the fish had such unique patterns. Before we got out we say WALLEY, one of the biggest wrass fish in the world that can be only found at a few places. He was really friendly and you could touch him (chris said he was really slimmey!) THen we went on a semi-submersible boat and saw the reef that way. It was cool to be in, but we wish we would have just spent the rest of the time snorkeling ,but good expeirence. On the way home the seas were really rough and the crew said that they hadn't seen such bad weather in a long time. Great timing huh?!! Half the people on the boat got seasick puking in bags. But not us we had been waiting for our free wine and cheese, and we took full advantage especially since no one else was having any!!! the boat was rocking so much that chris almost ate it in the boat with his wine (everyone laughed at him hehe; sorry chris had to tell everyone) On the boat there was suppose to be an Elvis entertainer but he had called in sick that day (how funny would have it been to have him sing "Im all shook up" with people seasick!) BUt we made it back safetly. I ended up being outside for most ot the way home and got soaked. It was such a fun day but we were so tired so we had din and went to bed. Our favorite Day in Australia so far!
The day after this was just as packed. We woked up early again, this time for a trip up to Cape Tribulation. The rain forest comes right up to the beach here and at one point you can stand on the reef and reach out and touch the rain forest. We got picked up by our bus and our got on our way. Our guide was some sort of hybrid comedian-botanist-dj-tour guide. He was great he made the day amazing. He remembered all our names (there were only 12 of us)and was constantly talking to us and making jokes. It would take me forever to go into detail so im gonna do a quick recap of the day.
After an hour of driving we did a one hour croc cruise on the Daintree river, and saw a couple crocs. Then we did a rainforest walk through the mangroves. Followed by arrival at Port Tribulation, a short time on the beach and lunch. Then on the way home we stopped at 3 lookout points on the way home then into Port Douglas, which is a resort and tourist town, for a short walk. Then we went for a swim in Mossman Gorge, where a river runs through the rainforest, and we went swimming. All in all it was a busy day and we got to see a lots of sights, all amazing. Afterward we went out for an couple beers with Tom and Alex, this was followed by a late nite Mcdonalds run where Tom had to take pictures of us dipping our frys in our milkshakes so he could show his friends. Lets just say we didnt dispell their perception of American obesity.
Sunday Nov 8 was a relaxed day. We went to the biggest themed stain glass church in the world for mass(Very pretty), went for a walk, barbequed at the beach, did our shopping,swam in the lagoon pool, and ate our first real meal in two weeks.
So now its monday and we said good bye to Cairns and jetsetted to Brisbane. Our hostel here is rad, complete with roof top pool with a view, pub, movie room, yada yada. We have free internet here so we should be able to give you more managable bite size posts.
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