Sunday, March 10, 2013

March 7, 2013 Cairns, Australia

Great Barrier Reef Day!!!!

We were up early to catch a cab to the port to rejoin the ship. It was to arrive at 7:00, but got in quite early. We were cleared to get back on and dropped our luggage and changed for our snorkel trip and went upstairs for breakfast. We had pre-packed our snorkel bag and day bag before we left on our overland so we could just grab them and go. We met for our tour of the Great Barrier Reef at 8:15.




We used a ship’s tour here as I couldn’t find an independent operator that would get us back before the ship left. It was a very good tour using Reef Magic that took us to Moore Reef. www.reefmagiccruises.com
There is a platform called Marine World with changing rooms, fresh water showers, a buffet set up and lots of tables. You could snorkel on your own for the whole time if you wanted or you could sign up for other activities for an additional fee. There were helicopter rides, a semi-submersible sub, glass bottom boats, scuba diving and an adventure snorkel that took a boat to the outer area of the reef where big schools of the large fish & sharks were and then you snorkeled the reef in a large semi-circle back to the platform.
Upon arrival we were the first in the water. I had my picture taken holding a shell and with a license plate that said Great Barrier Reef. The reef was amazing! We have never seen so many healthy hard corals. One area had a staghorn garden. Many types of fish we have never seen before. I snorkeled over a giant clam that closed up as I went over it. Lots of soft corals and clown fish in anemones. We snorkeled for about an hour and then came in for a very nice buffet lunch. There were huge prawns, chicken, fruits & salads, chicken curry, rice and lots of other stuff. All very good. While we were eating they announced that a semi sub was leaving in 10 minutes, which we had not planned to do, but we decided to do at the last minute. My only complaint is the condition of the glass is usually not good so visibility isn’t as great as when you are snorkeling. We did see turtles, large clams, a huge school of barracuda and of course tons of beautiful corals and fish.
We had a short wait until it was time to leave on the adventure snorkel. We boarded the boat and once we were there we jumped over the side and had a guided snorkel tour. Tons of jellyfish, (none were the stinging kind) huge fish and we did see a White Tipped Reef Shark. No rays or turtles, but tons of beautiful fish and corals. AMAZING! We only had a short time to snorkel on our own when we got back and I sure didn’t want to get out of the water. There is a huge fish called Big Wally and I had my picture taken while holding his large bump on his back. Wally is a Giant Maori Wrasse.
 



 


 Greg
















 
 deep water snorkel


 eggs
 

There were snacks for when we got out of the water and we dried off and packed up our snorkel stuff and got back on the boat for the hour and a half ride back to the ship. We had about an hour after we got back and Carol who sits at our table for dinner and I went shopping for some trinkets. We were surprised nothing said “Great Barrier Reef” on it, only “Cairns”.
It felt good to be home on the ship. We showered and went to dinner where we were missing Joan and Bob since they were only doing the first segment. Marriane was able to join our table and there was room for one more single, but they have never shown up. Got caught up with what everyone else did while we were gone. Carol & Duane were on the snorkel tour with us, so we knew how their day went. Marianne had her tour company no show on her, so she was left without a tour. She shopped and wandered the town. Rick & Janie did the rain forest tram and the train.
We lost a couple hundred people and gained about that many. It seemed weird to walk around the ship and see so many new faces. We missed seeing some of our regulars. It kind of has a different feel to this segment so far.
The show was a comedy vocalist “Maggie”.  She was quite entertaining. There also was another island night deck party, which was winded out. We did go up and get some fresh fruit and chocolate covered bananas.  

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