Great Barrier Reef

Great idea to postpone to today for our trip - the weather was sunny and clear with a moderate breeze. We boarded our vessel for the 2 hour trip out to Hardy Reef at 8:45am. The crew is slick and well versed at their jobs without being pushy in any way. Not to mention they put up with the worst part of the work I could not - puking passengers.  Yes, when we get out from the protection of the islands the surf gets a bit rolling, they pass out cups of ice, cold cloths and barf bags by the dozen. They sell gravol or ginger tablets and make that very clear but we are all above that, right? Many are used and most are averted by moving outside and starring firmly at the horizon. Thomas almost succumbed on the way out but made it through and decided not to try and read on the way back. Good chioice! The crew wear gloves during this part of the trip and are cheerful regardless of anyone's physical state, while other crew members are describing the rules, what is included in the trip and how to make the most of it all, along with the up sells. Did I mention these guys are slick?

They have child minding for $30/hr if you and want to go out snorkelling or diving without the chiclets, guided tours by marine biologist, discover diving, photographers on the the boat and in the water and more. Included was a 20min semi-sub trip along the reef edge and they have a glass wall viewing chamber down in the hull. We were served morning and afternoon tea and a buffet lunch that was incredible.

The snorkelling was amazing with huge coral shelves housing fish of all races, religions and genders. And by the way, many of them can induce a chemical imbalance and change gender when needed!! We saw giant clams 1.5 meters across and 3 ft deep embedded in the many varieties of coral. There were two huge fish, like the massive old beasts at the Vancouver Aquarium, we swam very close to and watched them letting the smaller fish swim in and out of their mouths and gills to clean them. It was a faboulous experience to have the 4 of us out on the reef, a structure you can see from the moon, to see the amazing underwater flaura and fauna.

the reef from on top of the glass bottom boat

wow! there is really fish down there!

and coral too!

the fish viewed from the glass bottom sub, snorkelling was 100X better  but this was still fun.

the reef and snorkelling area from the permanent structure at the hardy reef

Teletubbies go snorkelling!

This is the permanent structure next to the Hardy Reef that the boats docks at.

enjoying the sun on the return trip

Hamilton Island yacht club

dingy, anyone?

After getting back to the island we had a quick dinner and shower and headed to a free family movie night at the Yacht Club playing "Mr. Popper's Penguins". The kids laughed hard and loved it. Off to bed to get ready for another fun filled day tomorrow :)