Great Barrier Reef and Daintree National Park

   I didn't get to post anything yesterday because we were on the Reef all day and today we got up early to go and get a rental car to head up north. Now we're back in the room trying to pack for the flight tomorrow to Alice Springs.
   But the Great Barrier Reef:  OMG. Really incredible. We boarded a dive boat early and then took a couple of hours to get out to the furthest reef that we would visit.

   While heading out, the scuba divers were versed on everything they needed to know and the snorkelers (us) were given wet suits, masks, and flippers. A marine biologist was on board and she then showed a film on what we might possibly see and what we all were supposed to do while snorkeling/diving. As they were anchoring the boat and preparing the platforms for the divers, we tried to get into our wet suits. Tried is the operative word here. I finally gave up and decided I would swim without one. Jay persevered but with great difficulty. Pretty funny stuff, especially with the masks on.

    We went over the side and there was a lookout person on top with a whistle. If any of the snorkelers went in the wrong direction or too far away, she'd blow the whistle and everyone was supposed to look to see what was up. Jay was in the water already and I was still putting my stuff on when the whistle started blowing, Then a pause. Then blowing again. I looked up and she was pointing at Jay. I finally yelled up to her that he didn't have his hearing aids in and couldn't hear the whistle. I said I was headed out that direction; what was I supposed to tell him? She said he was drifting too far off to the side and to swim more toward the back. I jumped off and swam over to him to tell him but he was having trouble swimming in ANY direction. The winds were really bad and, once in the water, waves would come up and over the snorkelers filling the airway of the mask with salt water. It was very frustrating and I found I was starting to pant-breathe because I couldn't get enough air in AND look at the reefs underwater. The waves got worse and worse and we had to constantly try to swim in the opposite direction that the wind was taking us. We were getting more and more exhausted. I'd look at the reef, gulp some water, take my mask off, clear it out and put it on again and then start the whole process all over. Finally, we both decided to get out and rest. Everyone had about an hour and a half to dive/snorkel and then it was time for lunch. After lunch, they moved the boat to another place, anchored up, and the whole process started all over again with the exception that this time it rained. We finally went out in a glass bottom boat and could see all along the reef without drinking salt water!! It was beautiful. Because of the wind, the skipper said what we were seeing was not as clear as when there is sunshine. But I was pretty pleased with what we did see.

   It's just unfathomable. . . coral of all colors, brightly colored fish swimming everywhere, etc. We actually found Nemo too (although it was his cousin. . . slightly different markings). As it turned out, a huge fish that is apparently very friendly, showed up to greet some of the divers so the photographer with the boat got some great pictures of divers petting this giant fish. Others saw a shark, manta rays, and a turtle. We got to see the pictures so it was pretty thrilling for us too. They showed the pictures on a CD on the flat-screen TV as we headed back to the dock.
   Today, we rented a car and headed up to the rain forest north of Cairns. It took a little bit to get comfortable again with driving on the left-hand side, but it all came back to me. . .  we'd done it for so many years in England. My main problem was hitting the windshield wipers every time I wanted to use my turn signal! Jay navigated and we didn't have any problems. I LOVE round abouts!! Traffic moved quickly and back-ups just don't happen when everyone knows what they're doing. The drive along Captain Cook Highway north was beautiful...mostly along the coast and very twisty.

Captain Cook Highway

               beach along Captain Cook Highway

                  Approaching Daintree NP
   At Mossman Gorge in Daintree National Park, we hiked through the rain forest and oohed and awhed at the incredible density of the forest and all the varieties of trees and plants. The vines here are amazing and some of them cause the actual tree diameter to double and triple in size until you can't even see the main trunk anymore. Unfortunately, some of these vines then kill the host tree, but some are actually beneficial to it.

   My main disappointment was that we didn't see any animals in the rain forest except for the odd Yowlus antipodeus, a  loud two-leggedcreature mainly found in airplanes and restaurants all over Australia (and America). There was one particularly vocal one at the Gorge.
   Now we're trying to pack (we really haven't bought much at all so far) but everything just doesn't seem to want to fit into the suitcases again!! Jay got his in but had to use the expansion zipper. I'm about to try the same thing now. Wish me luck!