Day 52 - Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef

Well, today was just awesome.  As I type a feel like the caravan is swaying and I am still on the water.......bazaar how that works!!!!!

This morning we set the alarm, yes, first time since we left I think.  We were picked up at 6:50 and I was so scared we would sleep in and miss our ride.  Today we were headed for the Great Barrier Reef to spend the day snorkeling.  We were all pretty excited as this is something we have been talking about while planning the trip.  So, breaky on the boat, and probably an hours boat ride out to the reef.  This went quick though, as, by the time we had the safety run down, a talk from the the photographer and a fantastic slide show and information session from the marine biologist, we were there. 

First stop, Saxon reef.  It was so funny putting on the wetsuits. 

Cody and Shannae, walking on the moon, sound effects and all!!!

I was very glad we had our own snorkels and goggles as the kids were in and off straight away.  Wow, it was just awesome.  We had picked the best day, weather wise, the sun shone right through to the coral and we swam over fluorescent purple and green coral and enormous formations of brain coral and giant clams that must have been there for years.  The fish were just amazing.  We have spent a fair bit of time on the Ningaloo Reef and I would say it would have been almost as good as Ningaloo.  The varieties of fish and the different colours were just out of this world.  Nature is certainly talented in it's creations, I just could not believe the brilliant colours, intricate patterns and clever camouflage designs that they were all covered in.  Glen had an introductory scuba diving lesson which was all part of the package, so that was a great experience for him.  The kids and I went on the glass bottom boat which certainly wasn't as good as being in the water, but we saw a sting ray which we hadn't seen yet and a massive groper that blended in with the reef.

Cody grabbed the camera to take some photos over the edge of the boat.  This gives you an idea how clear the water was.  These fish would have been about 60cm long I would say and quite orange, but the photo doesn't capture their colour unfortunately.

Relaxing after lunch.

"Fighting" after lunch!!!

We then had a delicious buffet lunch before moving on to the Breaking Patches, which was another part of the reef.  Again, the kids were straight in.  I got such a buzz with all of us in the water together, everyone pointing frantically at something new they had seen and wanted to share with the rest of the family.  So nice that everyone is now old enough to enjoy doing these activities together.  And I discovered something about my children today.  I always knew they were good talkers but had know idea they could talk under water!!!!!!  Well they can!!!!!!

End of the day, looking pretty feral, can you tell I haven't had a haircut since the beginning of July!!!

Heading back and looking in a marine biology book, trying to identify the fish we had seen.

What a day.  Glen and I were pretty tired, but can you believe the kids still wanted to go to the water park when we got home at 5pm.......fat chance!!!!!!