42. The Great Barrier Reef

 We arrived into Cairns late last night and then it was up at 8am for our excursion out to the Great Barrier Reef. After checking in we took out seats on the catamaran for the ninety minute ride to the Marine World diving platform. It was, shall I say, a little choppy and a number of people were not looking very well at all but we took it all in our stride.

Once out on the platform we decided to treat ourselves to a helicopter flight over the reef. We didn't have to wait too long before being called and then we were several hundred feet up getting a birds eye view of the various reefs in the vicinity. There can be no better way to see the coral, where the sea is shallow and where the reef drops off into the depths. Our fight was over far too quickly but it was a one in a lifetime experience.

When back on the platform we changed into swimming gear, put on all in one lycra stinger suits, donned snorkel, mask and flippers and joined the fish swimming around the reef. There were all kinds of fish, all colours shapes and sizes...just like swimming in a tropical fish tank. I will have to try and identity some of them when I am back home, but those species that I did recognise included Maori Wrasse, parrotfish, moorish idol, various butterfly fish, orange tang, sergeant majors, damselfish and striped sweetlips.

After a fascinating hour snorkelling it was time for lunch, and then we took a few steps down into the platforms underwater viewing area where we could watch the fish easily and without getting worn out again with the snorkel gear. Last of all was a trip out in the semi-submersible. This gave a much greater range for viewing the coral close up, and seeing where it was flourishing and where it had been damaged. Shortly thereafter it was time to reboard the catamaran for the rocky journey back into Cairns. Another totally unforgettable day came to a close.