GreatBarrierReef - Blogabond

Cairns, Australia

One of the lines they like to tell you when visiting the Great Barrier Reef is that it is the only living organism that can be seen from space. Actually, you hear this often about a lot of things. Turns out it isn’t quite true—lots of things can be seen from space (http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/crew/exp7/luletters/lu_letter5.html).

But anyway, the Reef was amazing in so many ways. The fish life, coral life, colors, etc. It was also a lot of fun to do an introductory dive in the Great Barrier Reef. The day was even more enjoyable because we successfully were able to dive with no accidents and neither of us became sea sick! Woo hoo! I think we would have liked to do it again, but the weather turned nasty with high winds and it would not have been nearly as enjoyable.

Instead, we spent our last few days indulging in other outside activities and enjoying the great weather. We golfed at the Cairns Country Club and climbed/bouldered on some really interesting, sharp volcanic-like rock on Trinity Beach near Cairns. We contemplated driving 250km south to Townsville for a few days of climbing, but opted out of it. In doing research for this though, it looks like there are literally thousands of climbing route options in Queensland that haven’t been fully explored or developed yet. Any climbers out there looking to put your mark on Australian climbing? Queensland may be your place . . .

So, an enjoyable, low-pace last few days in Cairns wrapped up our time not only in Australia, but also abroad. I think almost three months traveling was just what the doctor ordered to recover from school, as I am feeling ready to dig into some work! Crazy, but true.

Joc on Rip It Up, V1+

Bouldering in Trinity Beach

Outer Reef--Turtle Reef

South Mission Beach, Australia

At last Shaun finally gets to sink into the Great Barrier Reef to see his beloved fishy friends!We spent the day on the Calypso dive boat about an hour from the mainland. Karen and Chris saw some wonderful fish when snorkelling. We spotted Nemo and Dory and also saw a huge sea cucumber, some parrot fish and four blue starfishes to name but a few.There were also some rather large barracudas swimming on the edge of the reef which thankfully did't get too close. Karen thought she saw a shark, but apparently it was a sucker fish!

Sally floated on a woggle near to the dive boat and saw some tiny black and gold fish. She also had close encounters with some big fish as the boat crew fed them right next to Sally!

Later that evening we sat on the beach and shared a bottle of wine with the neighbours, watched the moon rise and followed it up with a BBQ.

Sally also managed to lose and swallow (again!) one of her milk teeth. So we will need to write a note to the Australian tooth fairy to let her know what happened. We will let you know the outcome tommorrow!

written by

The Wilde Family on December 23, 2007 from South Mission Beach, Australia

from the travel blog: Australia

tagged GreatBarrierReef and EddyReef

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Gladstone, Australia

One of the best places I have ever been to is Heron Island in Queensland, Australia. I want to refer to it as the King of scuba diving sites in the whole world.

In the coral cay, I have experienced numerous kinds of creatures and lots of colorful coral. Some of the animals that I have seen underwater are swordfish, barracuda, jellyfish, and the best of them all, the great white shark. Heron Island has at least 20 diving sites, where you can scuba dive or snorkel day and night. The best time to catch a great dive is from April to December.

I only stayed there for a few days, and I have been already dreaming of my next trip to Heron Island. Perhaps, on my next visit, I should be trying a night adventure where I would be able to see the luminous creatures swimming gracefully under the sea. That would be King.

written by

On Foot on February 16, 2007 from Gladstone, Australia

from the travel blog: On Foot

tagged Diving, GreatBarrierReef, HeronIsland and Queensland

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Cairns, Australia

Behold the largest barrier reef in the whole world. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most beautiful places to visit in yur lifetime. It is situated at the tip of Queensland. I have only gone here once, and I have been truly impressed with it.

The Great Barrier Reef is an ideal place to people of all ages. Snorkeling and diving are the most popular activites. The crystal clear water makes it a haven for scuba divers, where they can the enjoy underwater view. Colorful corals and exotic animals are the foundation of the Great Barrier Reef. The reef is home to a large variety of species and corals that live underwater, such as dugong, turtles, fish, mollusc, whales, and sharks. More than two million people visit the Great Barrier Reef each year, making it a premier site.

The Great Barrier Reef is the experience of a lifetime. I can not wait to come back to this marine life paradise.

written by

On Foot on March 5, 2007 from Cairns, Australia

from the travel blog: On Foot

tagged Diving, Australia, Island and GreatBarrierReef

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