The Great Barrier Reef

I know, I know, you are rolling on the floor laughing at this MOST ridiculous picture of us, but this is us.... in all our middle aged glory... snorkeling off a beautiful island.... at the great barrier reef... in Australia..... fresh from lurking over numerous FABULOUS specimens of sea life... so if we look a little giddy, or goofy.... that's OK, because we're having the time of our lives!!

So here's how it went... One Saturday we scheduled a trip to go snorkeling off a pristine island with only a lighthouse on it called Green Island. We get up early. We groggily get dressed and ready. About 10 minutes before we are to meet the tour bus, Mark looks out the window and sees that it is pouring down rain! Ack! Immediately, my mood turns sour. But we trudge through the downpour (me in high heeled sandals and a skirt) and out to stand in the only protected area (which of course is next to the large rubbish bins) and wait for the bus. When it arrives, we try to ascertain from the driver what the weather will be like at the island that day. We can get no confirmation either way, so after much deliberation with the driver getting more impatient by the minute, we cancel and trudge back to the condo.

We reschedule for Monday. Cameron, the guy who booked our first trip..... promising good weather...... Tells us it is supposed to be overcast and a little windy. Monday comes and things look like a regular winter day in Cairns..... overcast, muggy, and about 80 degrees. The bus ride is long, but the bus is large and comfortable. We see a field of wild kangaroos. The bus pulls off so we can watch them for a while, and two of them start boxing.... HILARIOUS! We see huge nests on electrical towers. We learn about the aboriginals and the farming of sugar cane, and all those tourist-y things tour guides chat about. The first thing they tell us when we board the boat is that the crossing is going to be very rough, and they are recommending everyone take motion sickness medicine. It was very rough, but the medicine works, and we cross with little trouble except one HUGE splash which soaks Mark's back. When we arrive we see the lovely island except with gray water and sky instead of gorgeous, clear blue as in the picture. We decide to take the snorkel tour with the Marine biologist. He leads us (and one really skinny, cold guy with no lycra suit) around to see the underwater sights. It was truly incredible! Just like being inside an aquarium... beautiful waving coral, gi-normous colorful fish, everything! We saw 2 adolescent green sea turtles (about 2 feet across). It was so amazing. They just sat in the coral looking around and we floated right above them.... close enough to touch! Mark and I also saw a clown fish (like Nemo) living in a sea anemone. Unfortunately, the swim only lasted about an hour and we had to get to the boat or miss lunch.... not a option if you are me... I never skip a meal!! This most comical picture was snapped by the boat's photographer as we came out of the water after the tour. So, laugh all you want! It is worth the ridicule!!