The trip of a lifetime

Yesterday we had the most amazing experience, a trip which we'll never forget. Up early, bags packed and on to the huge and highly impressive Quicksilver catamaran for a 90 minute journey across the Coral Sea to one of the outer reefs, part of the unique marine park which stretches for 2300km along the north-eastern coast - The Great Barrier Reef.


We left the charms of Port Douglas behind and made an exhilarating journey in beautiful sunshine out to a pontoon or activity platform.


As soon as we arrived we made our way off the catamaran and onto the platform where we donned Lycra suits, to prevent stings from any defensive coral or marine jellyfish, and selected masks, snorkels and fins. Making our way to the snorkelling platform we fitted our fins and made our way in to the water. Oh wow, a whole new world, and a stunning, beautiful and mesmerising new world. After a couple of minutes we all stopped, looked at each other and laughed out loud with sheer delight. I don't think the three of us could believe what we were seeing.

The sheer amount and variety of fishes was amazing and the stunning coral just breathtaking. As I relaxed into it I floated over so many dips and hollows, hiding huge fish and giant blue clams. Moving slowly over one area the whole thing just dropped away and I was looking into a huge valley which was incredibly deep but with crystal clear water. I was so shocked I immediately dipped deep underwater and swallowed several mouthfuls of salt water! Ugh!


After 30 minutes we reluctantly returned to the platform where, strangely famished, we tucked into an impressive lunch buffet. After eating we made our way to the underwater observatory where more gorgeous creatures swam leisurely past for our perusal.





Our final activity was a trip round the reef in a semi-submersible vessel. A funny guy pointed out and named lots of different fish, including the huge barramundi which I have enjoyed eating! We saw small sharks which stay in deep water through the day to avoid the heat of the sun.


James and Alex went back in to snorkel again and I took the opportunity to photograph them and to sit quietly with a coffee gazing into the clear depths. Magical!








Only one thing could have improved the day - Liam to have experienced it all with us, he would have loved it and he and Alex could have gone scuba-diving.

A very happy, elated and still slightly disbelieving threesome set off in prime seats right at the front of the boat for the wild and windy trip back.








Some days you remember for a lifetime. Today was one of those days.


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Location:Warner Street,Port Douglas,Australia