Day 4

The morning began with a short walk from our hotel to the Marina, where we boarded a high speed catamaran for a trip to Green Island, located at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. The Catamaran took about 45 minutes to get to our first stop roughly 16 miles off the coast of Cairns. This was our first stop, before boarding another high speed catamaran that would take us another 20 miles further to a floating platform from which we would get a close look at the reef and all its marine life.

We did spend roughly two hours on Green Island, our first stop. The island is a sand island that was formed over 1000’s of years. The entire island is only 5 acres, but is a hot spot for those wanting to get a look at the Great Barrier Reef without taking a great deal of time. The island has snorkeling, shops, Restaurants, and even a small hotel that runs about $700 AUD per night. While on the island we also did a 20 minute cruise on a glass bottom boat to see some of the coral reef without getting wet, and heard some of the stories of the reef. One of the natural wonders of the world stretching some 1600 miles down the coast of Australia, made up of 2900 individual reefs, and comprising some 900 islands, like Green Island. They say there are 1500 species of fish, and 215 species of birds.

Mary and I spent a couple of hours exploring what is not only an island, but a rainforest as well. The first picture is of Green Island as we arrived by boat.

Next we caught another high speed catamaran that would take us another 20 miles to a floating platform (a couple of pictures included) complete with a kitchen where they served us a hot lunch, snorkeling gear, and dive gear that was available for those wanting to get an additional experience. The area was marked off as to where we could swim and spotters were on top of the platform keeping a close eye on all the swimmers. I assume they might also having been keeping an eye out for unwelcome intruders:).

The water was not warm, but very comfortable, and even Mary thought it was ok, and she hates the cold. They suggested we wear a Lycra suit, as there are many jellyfish in the water, and some can make you very sick, so we took their advice and you will see the pictures at the end. The entire experience was one we won’t forget, and one of those things we can now say we have done.

The trip home from the floating platform took just over 2 hours, including a brief stop a Green Island to unload a few staying at the hotel as well as pick up everyone heading back to Cairns as this was the last boat.

We arrived back in Cairns about 6:00, then walked around Cairns for one final time as we leave tomorrow for Ayers Rock which is about a three hour flight to the West, outside of Alice Springs.

I think Mary is seriously considering giving up her diet coke habit here in Australia, and me my coffee! If you can find a diet coke, most places have coke zero, they range in price fro $3 to $5 per can, bottle or glass. Even McDonalds which was only a few blocks from our hotel charged $4 for what they call large (comparable) to a medium in the states. Coffee averages $3-4 and there are no refills, if you want more you pay the same.

Mary has asked to say a few things in the Blog, but has always been to tired to contribute, so hopefully before we complete our trip will add some of her thoughts.

Having a Great Time, people could not be more friendly.

G’Day Mates