Saturday was the conference excursion out to the Barrier reef. It was the same company I went with the previous Saturday, but this time to the pontoon. There was a very good reason I didn't do this the first time. You are stuck in one place with a large number of people. Plus there are often that many people here so the reef is damaged in parts. Still it was interesting to see the 2 different ways.
I decided to do a dive anyway (my instructor from last time was there but I couldn't get to dive with him). I regret spending the money. It was a LOT more expensive than the last time and frankly rubbish. We had to hold hands for most of it. I hate that! We stopped to see a Nemo and giant clam but that was it. Every time I slowed to look at fish I was pulled forward. The others decided to go for the second dive. I was very glad I did not!
In fact everything was more expensive. You had to pay this time to hire the stinger suits. People thought I was a little strange but one girl hurt her foot on the coral and I think I was a lot warmer than those who didn't. Plus I avoided sunburn so that part was worth the money.
So I was in less than a happy mood. But everyone else seemed to enjoy their dives so maybe I was just spoilt last time.
I took a quick snorkel but couldn't see anything so went for lunch. After, I found the semi-sub and went for the trip around the reef, chatting to a nice woman from New Zealand.
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Plate coral |
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Valley between coral |
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The best fish were right under the pontoon |
I was in a bit of a better mood after this so decided to give snorkeling another go. (I was there after all.) And I was glad I did. I went out as far as I was allowed and I was completely on my own so there were lots of fish. I was a lot happier! :-)
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They change color (blue and green) to communicate |
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Sargent major fish |
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Male parrot fish |
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Plate and stag coral |
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2 blue legs of a starfish (we think) |
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Free diving - and apparently I am a red head! |
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Sturgeon |
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Sixbar Wrass |
But then something made my day. I was swimming along and turned to look to my left.
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Hawksbill turtle |
He just sort of looked at me as if to say "coming?" So I spent the next 1/2 hr just following and watching. I had him all to myself - there was no one else even closely nearby. He was beautiful!
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Found something tasty |
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Coming up for air |
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and back for more food |
I did spot someone else (a student form the conference it turned out) and showed him. He was quite happy, though I think I did scare him when I grabbed him as he swam past. :-)
We stayed until the ship blew the horn, which means get back to the ship or we leave without you.
I spent the trip back looking through my photos and talking to a lovely group of grey nomads (retirees who travel the country) from Melbourne. They also showed us the video they had made of our dive. It was ok, but they were expecting people to buy it for $106 for 1 DVD! They were destined for disappointment. I didn't even buy any of the photos they took. One because I couldn't tell which one was me. Put on a mask, regulator and wet suit and everyone pretty much looks the same. And secondly they cost $22 each. I like mine better and I got a lot more of them!
Back at the marina, I said goodbye to people (and organized a dinner meet-up - without phones it's trickier). They all got the coach back to shower and change but I didn't want to miss the sunset. It was the shortest day in the southern hemisphere and the skies were clear. I wondered down to the park near the estuary.
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Over the estuary |
I also spotted this girl lying on near the water. Right in front of the crocodile warning sign. And they really do mean it here!
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Crocodile food! |
I ended up at the end park. There were these amazing trees around the far edge.
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One tree or multiple? |
I found a spot to watch the sun go down behind the mountains. A lot of people had brought blankets and bottles of wine. I wish I had thought of that.
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Enjoying wine and the sunset |
After the sunset (and I was being eaten alive once again), I headed back to the marina for a quick drink (and to borrow some more bug stray at a restaurant) before meeting some people for a final sea food dinner. (Got to get it in while I can!)
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Quiet final drink at the marina |