The Great Barrier Reef
Now I know why the Great Barrier Reef is listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The sheer size of the reef is comparable to the square km of the UK and is home to over 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 types of mollusks and 400 types of coral. Crikey!
Andy, Bonnie and I took a boat trip to the outer reef yesterday that took 90 minutes from the town of Port Douglas. It was the first rainy and overcast day since we have been here but it remains important to remember that one can't get upset over the things that cannot be controlled. I should be taking my own advice with regards to my injured knee that continues to ail me but that's a different story. The boat took us out to a permanent platform on the Agincourt Reef where we spent most of the day exploring underwater with snorkeling gear. The diversity of the fish and coral is like nothing I have ever seen! Loads of brilliant Crayola-box colored fish surrounded us amongst an undulating sea of both spikey and soft corals. We even saw a sea turtle and a carpet shark. It was wonderful to see this area of the reef so healthy and teeming with life. 72% of the world is underwater which tells me there is plenty left for us to explore in the ocean depths in our scuba gear. We begin our 4-day PADI certification course on Tuesday.
In addition to yesterday's trip to the reef, we took a day trip to Kuranda, an aborigine village in the mountains in the nearby rainforest. The smell of Nag Champa wafted through the air in the outdoor market lined with hippy-like vendors selling everything from rainforest seed jewelry to didgeridoos. We went to a Koala Center and fed kangaroos, petted a koala (Bonnie held one!) and viewed the leathery crocodiles from a distance. We picked up a few souvenirs perfectly timed so that Bonnie can take them back to San Diego with her:) The aborigine art is quite beautiful and symbolic. Otherwise we mostly have been relaxing on the beach, cooking meals and reading books. Want a delicious summer drink idea? Throw a fresh pineapple, apple juice, fresh mint and some ice into a blender and voila.
The Aussies have been incredibly friendly so far. I continue to enjoy hearing their accents and "no worries, mate" attitude about life. We are here in Palm Cove at a lull in the tourist season between school holiday and winter so it feels very uncrowded and especially laid back. The weather has been just perfect, between 70 - 80 degrees and a comfortable humidity level. A bit of rain here and there which is to be expected in the tropics.
Loading up photos slowly but surely...this wireless connection isn't the best. Stay tuned!
Andy, Bonnie and I took a boat trip to the outer reef yesterday that took 90 minutes from the town of Port Douglas. It was the first rainy and overcast day since we have been here but it remains important to remember that one can't get upset over the things that cannot be controlled. I should be taking my own advice with regards to my injured knee that continues to ail me but that's a different story. The boat took us out to a permanent platform on the Agincourt Reef where we spent most of the day exploring underwater with snorkeling gear. The diversity of the fish and coral is like nothing I have ever seen! Loads of brilliant Crayola-box colored fish surrounded us amongst an undulating sea of both spikey and soft corals. We even saw a sea turtle and a carpet shark. It was wonderful to see this area of the reef so healthy and teeming with life. 72% of the world is underwater which tells me there is plenty left for us to explore in the ocean depths in our scuba gear. We begin our 4-day PADI certification course on Tuesday.
In addition to yesterday's trip to the reef, we took a day trip to Kuranda, an aborigine village in the mountains in the nearby rainforest. The smell of Nag Champa wafted through the air in the outdoor market lined with hippy-like vendors selling everything from rainforest seed jewelry to didgeridoos. We went to a Koala Center and fed kangaroos, petted a koala (Bonnie held one!) and viewed the leathery crocodiles from a distance. We picked up a few souvenirs perfectly timed so that Bonnie can take them back to San Diego with her:) The aborigine art is quite beautiful and symbolic. Otherwise we mostly have been relaxing on the beach, cooking meals and reading books. Want a delicious summer drink idea? Throw a fresh pineapple, apple juice, fresh mint and some ice into a blender and voila.
The Aussies have been incredibly friendly so far. I continue to enjoy hearing their accents and "no worries, mate" attitude about life. We are here in Palm Cove at a lull in the tourist season between school holiday and winter so it feels very uncrowded and especially laid back. The weather has been just perfect, between 70 - 80 degrees and a comfortable humidity level. A bit of rain here and there which is to be expected in the tropics.
Loading up photos slowly but surely...this wireless connection isn't the best. Stay tuned!
posted by Stacy @TheZenGirl at
1:39 AM
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