Sunday 10 April Great Barrier Reef Port Douglas, Queensland, OZ

G'day,

Day three of the Masters, which I can watch 6-9 am.  That aside, we again left for the Great Barrier Reef, via a 10:00 am catamaran from Port Douglas.  This time it all worked, and we arrived at the Quicksilver docking station about 11:30 am.  People spread out for various activities: diving, snorkeling, helicopter rides or time on the submersibles*.  Mimi  and I donned sting suits (picture, spidey in black) and snorkeled.  Not great water clarity but always fun.  I saw some stuff; Mimi, some stuff. Mim took lots of photos (really?) with underwater camera as fish swirled around her and swells made focusing quite interesting. Then we circled back for super buffet on the docking station (picture, an oil rig that is kind of flat).  Off in the distance we could see a line of breaking surf, as this is the outside of the Barrier Reef.  Other than that one gets a sort of myopic view, sort of like trying to see Russia from Sarah P’s back yard (sorry to anyone I’ve offended).

*The submersibles were adequate, sort of like seeing inside someone’s fish tank after the owner left for a week or so...but some good coral. 

I (Mimi) would have spent a week here in Port Douglas and spent more time exploring the reef up and down the coast as it extends for miles and miles. By the time we reached the floating fun pontoon, we had three hours to snorkel and eat and scuba and go in submersible. Too rushed. We had time to do one long snorkel (45 mns.) and I swam again right before we left. We did not want to miss the buffet as it was just delicious. But it was a wonderful day for sure.

Back to port, and now home to our view of the local jungle, dinner being rolls and brie either bought at the store or which fell in my pocket (as did some ham slices) as I went through the docking station lunch line.  Sweet Mimi is being patient with me.  Tomorrow: all day nature hike through jungles and riverine areas.  Salt water crocs!!!

PS  Went food shopping yesterday. Due to typhoon a couple of months ago, bananas are over $12 per 2 lbs...ouch...

Interior... very comfy.We took big boat as -
 guess what? - damaged boat from
yesterday has yet to be repaired.

Floating pontoon a hour and a half out of Port Douglas

Buffet

Getting snorkeling gear

  Views of pontoon. We were lucky as we were
only about one hundred people.
The pontoon accommodates 500.

Getting suited - we had to wear suits against stinger (jelly fish) threats 

Submersible in disappointing murky water

Fish right up at our feet at snorkeling platform

While we played, worker bees worked.
See crane and container?

See the fish?

Our route

ummmm....uh..... wind-blown, but
 very happy with our day at sea

Getting ready to leave

Pulling away... Three men stay on platform
- four days on, three days off

Fearless skipper

Love those sunglass cases...
or how to smuggle a sandwich off the buffet table.