This
is our third time here as well. Last time we did an overland here to spend more
time in the area. We always snorkel the Great Barrier reef, so the extra days
allowed us to do other things.
We
have snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef 4 times now and last time we took the
helicopter ride over the reef out of Port Douglas. The Kuranda Skyrail train
ride & sky buckets and did Billy Tea’s Daintree Rainforest tour. Again, all good stuff, but we wanted to
snorkel here again.
Today
we again snorkeled for the 4th time with the same company we used
the first time. http://www.reefmagiccruises.com/
It
gave us a couple of more hour hours actually at the reef than the Princess
tour. A few from our ship chose this option. Our tablemates Roy & Rondi came.
Rondi doesn’t snorkel so she stayed on the pontoon and enjoyed the glass bottom
boat & the semi- submersible submarine. Kris & her friend and another
couple from the ship were also there. We all snorkeled and also did the
advanced deep water snorkel for an hour in the afternoon.
arrival from our balcony
walking to the snorkel boat
Roy & Rondi
ride out to the reef
snorkel platform
It
was the perfect day out on the reef. It was the best clarity with lots of
sunshine and the smoothest water that we have ever experienced there. The water
was also quite warm. Just a fantastic day!
We
snorkeled for a couple of hours in the morning before getting out to have
lunch. I was having issues with mask. I just didn’t get a good seal and I took
it off 3 times out there to get it to work. Then, I was having non-stop foot
cramps (both feet) which caused me some issues. I eventually got it all sorted
out and it was great.
The buffet they put out is always very good. (not everyone of course would agree) They had a pasta salad that was so tasty and the curry chicken was yummy.
The buffet they put out is always very good. (not everyone of course would agree) They had a pasta salad that was so tasty and the curry chicken was yummy.
We
went back out to snorkel some more before our scheduled afternoon snorkel
safari.
We
got on a boat to take us out to deeper water. We had an hour to follow the
guide and saw quite a bit more corals and fish. We also saw a few turtles and a
shark. I saw the largest eel that I have ever seen before. Huge mouth! We also
saw some cuddle fish that look a lot like squid.
All too soon it was time to
go.
snorkel platform
ride back to the port
Pacific Princess
from the balcony
Rainbow Lorakeet
We
got back to the cabin and took quick showers and headed out to go to the Cairns
Night Markets. There is a Chinese Buffet that we love and it did not disappoint
this time. We then went for some gelato at our favorite spot in Cairns. Then,
we went to Woolworth’s (no not THAT Woolworths, but a grocery store) to buy
some snacks for the room.
walking to Chinatown
On
the way back, we saw a couple of Beach Thick-knee a nocturnal bird often not
reported. What a surprise!
After
that we stopped at the wine shop and then went back on board. I had some aps
that needed updated so we went back to the terminal for the wifi. Back on
board, I managed to use my phone for a hotspot and got Sydney’s photos uploaded.
There will be quite a few not great photos of birds, but I left them in because
they will remind us what we saw. (many birds didn’t have photos)
Sydney,
Australia https://photos.app.goo.gl/GjU3s3x9ECfpEEk47
Cairns
https://photos.app.goo.gl/k2wsgbDDUjqvWXydA
Great Barrier Reef snorkel video https://youtu.be/1W8Rp6eIUDc
We
didn’t make the evening show so don’t know what it was. I have had some tour
additions/cancelations so I got those taken care of as well.
So,
now we have 3 days until Darwin!
Oh I have to admit I would have loved to be with you on the "reef". I loved it when we were there. Someday I hope to return. So glad the water conditions were perfect. It is nice you had such a long stop there. Good job explaining to everyone about the "shops". We were there last year and partook of some delicious food. Sadly we had little ones so missed snorkeling.
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