Great Barrier Reef

Wednesday 16 January



At last, phoned the reef centre at 7.00am and the boat I am booked with is definitely going although it will be a bit rough.Julia and Jenny not going (shopping) so on my own.Nearly missed getting to the boat on time which left at 8.30am.A well equipped dive boat with capacity for 80 divers but about 50 on board for this trip.It took about 90 minutes under full power to reach the first dive site on the outer reef during which the sea was quite rough with a very large swell, everyone had to take ginger pills at the start of the day to combat any possible sickness even if you didn't suffer from sea sickness.



Weather superb although a bit choppy. First briefing on the location and sorting out full stinger suits (wet suits) in case of the very dangerous box jelly fish, flippers, masks etc, then into the water.Really beautiful with loads of colourful fish.



We went to another dive site right on the edge of the outer reef that is rarely used because of the normal wind direction but today the wind was in a different direction so we could stop here.Briefing first and then lunch, however there was a large queue for lunch so I put the wetsuit on again and went snorkeling on my own.Dodging the white jelly fish I turned round and swimming up towards me was a giant turtle who serenely swam to within 3 feet of me and allowed me to follow for a short distance, fantastic.The water near the boat was about 40/50 feet but over the coral about 7/12 feet so there were huge amounts of brightly coloured fish everywhere, it was unbelievable.Also went on a guided snorkel with one of the divers which was great fun but tiring.At the end of the diving we headed back to Cairns arriving at about 4.30pm to finish a brilliant day, absolutely knackered.

Farewell dinner with Jenny in a nice Italian restaurant and to bed very happy ( Julia didn't buy much either).No photos as did not take camera on board.