Great Barrier Reef

Date: 23 March 2012 11:42:20

Today we travelled to Port Douglas along the coast road which runs very close to the shore with magnificent views. We boarded the Quicksilver catamaran and settled in with a cup of tea. Alan and I travelled up on the top deck to start with but it got too hot so we found some shade. We both took the ginger anti sea sickness pills. They may have worked, but the sea was very calm. I spent the outward journey in agonies of indecision about whether to snorkel or not. The staff were very attentive, informative and sensitive. I watched the demonstration of snorkelling and decided I couldn't bear to wear a Lycra suit ( there were stingers around), wear goggles or breathe through a snorkel. I felt better after that. Travelling out I spotted a familiar figure. She was wearing a name badge so Alan went over to examine her chest. She was Miggi, our tour guide on our first tour of Canada who in our opinion set the benchmark against which we measure all other tour guides. It was 8 years ago when we last met but after prompting she recalled us. It was so good to see her. She was leading a Thomas Cook group also doing a grand tour of Australia. After speaking to us she searched Frank out and chatted to him.

On arriving at the pontoon on the reef we went on a submersible craft to look undersea. The staff asked for claustrophobic people to identify themselves and we were seated at the back near the door as the craft was long and narrow. The fish and coral were amazing, but difficult to photograph. A staff member told us about the reef and identified the fish.

After lunch we wrote postcards that we posted on the pontoon. They will be franked from the reef. We couldn't remember our daughters' postcodes so I hope they arrive! Alan and I explored and watched people snorkelling. The staff member who had briefed us earlier saw I hadn't gone in and said I'd regret it, which I denied. But I saw some folk in the water on the submerged steps just in cossies enjoying the water. He encouraged me to join them so I did. I was warned about the possibility of stingers around so I just dabbled in the shallows watching the Sargeant Majors striped fish around my feet. Then it was time to get back to the boat and travel back, which took about 90 minutes. I dried my cossie in the sun,watched the view and dozed. Miggi was working nearby and when she finished she came and chatted to us again. Such a lovely woman. Back at the hotel in Palm Cove we had the Thai buffet which was delicious. I finished with a mango,peach and coconut daiquiri made by Sean the barman. Back to the room to shower and pack as we leave for Sydney tomorrow . This hotel and location has been my favourite. Among other things, the room is on the ground floor,the wifi is 24 hours and free,the staff and food are first rate and the beach is beautiful. After the deluge on Monday the weather has been perfect too, and the 2 free days we had were so relaxing.