Tuesday, January 21, 2019
What an exciting day! In the morning we took a 1 ½ hour cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral bed, and also the world’s largest living thing. People – let me tell you – I have never seen so many people vomiting in my whole life! The demographic on the boat was mostly Asian people, and it was a pukefest! The downstairs of the boat looked like an infirmary with people laying on the carpet and vomiting. Several of our tour mates fell sick, but I was right as rain. When asked why I didn’t feel sick, I told them my dad would disown me if I threw up on a boat as he’s retired Navy (joking).
When we finally arrived at the reef, we pulled alongside an enormous permanent pontoon. It was extraordinary. We began with a helicopter ride over the reef. It is massive and beautiful. So many colors and textures. After the helicopter ride, we had lunch on the pontoon, and then I went scuba diving at the reef! I am still pinching myself that I scuba dived at the Great Barrier Reef!
After scuba diving, we snorkeled and enjoyed looking at the coral and fish. We met at the bar in the boat on the way back to Cairns and enjoyed a glass of wine together comparing stories of all we’d seen and done.
At night, we ate a wonderful seafood restaurant where we had bugs. Australians refer to crayfish as “bugs”. They are basically small lobsters. So delicious! Tomorrow we explore Cairns.
I rented a waterproof camera, so all of my photos of the barrier reef are on a sims card. I’ll have to send photos when I get home.
Love to all!
DD
Dynamo-on-the-go 