The Great Barrier Reef

Oct 24 2008

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world.  It is so large that it can be seen from space.  Agincourt Reef is the very outer edge at the north part of the Great Barrier Reef.  The ocean water surrounding that portion of unique ribbon reefs are clear and make it easier to see the details of the coral and fish.  Chantelle, Reid and I took a day tour with a company called Quicksilver.

We travelled on a multilevel wave piercer ship for an hour and half from Port Douglas to a two story stable reef activity platform.  There we went in a semi-submersible boat, went to the underwater observatory, snorkeled (with embarrassing but necessary blue stinger protection suits).  Had a yummy buffet lunch and enjoyed the sights.

I was very nervous to snorkel because of the box jelly fish and since it’s the start of stinger season.  Box jelly fish just need to brush your skin lightly and you could die from it.  So I was very hesitant, but I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t do it.  I’m so glad that I did.  It’ a totally different experience to snorkel in salt water.  The coral look beautiful and there were so many fish.  It felt like I was a  visitor in their world and that they were watching me as much as I was watching them.   It was really cool to hear them swimming under water.  There were so many of them and at one point the Quicksilver people were feeding them.  I could hear them rushing and fighting over the food.  It was awesome.

On the boat ride back to Port Douglas we saw some awesome sailboats.  One of them looked like it was almost tipping over because the waves were so big.

It was a really fun day.

– Bonnie