First of all, there are two posts about Port Douglas on two different days, so hopefully you read both of them.

Also…I forgot to mention that our guide from yesterday, Lync, told us that the Australian zookeeper and conservationist Steve Irwin was killed near where we were having our talk. He was killed by a stingray while filming in 2006. He had decided to snorkel in shallow waters when a stingray’s barb penetrated his chest causing massive trauma. People need to obey the signs and warnings around the reefs and beaches. It is serious. He wasn’t wearing protective gear at the time, which sadly would have saved his life. 

After breakfast, we boarded a coach and spent the entire day aboard a boat that took us out to three different sites in the Great Barrier Reef to snorkel and for those who had a certificate, to scuba dive. 

It was rainy today and the wind had picked up to about 30 miles an hour, so it was rough waters as we traveled deep into the reef. I had never snorkeled, but I was determined to give it a try. 

They tied the boat onto a massive concrete block that sits down on the ocean floor, since they can’t lay anchor into the reef. Before anyone could get into snorkel gear, they gave us the safety instructions. By the time they were done, I was thinking to myself, maybe I don’t want to do this. The water is rough with waves bouncing up and down, and keeping the snorkel above water with the waves didn’t sound feasible. 

I went down below to the first deck of the boat with all the snorkelers, and we were handed our snorkel gear. First, we had to don a full Lycra body suit that covered us from head to toe since the stingrays’ barbs can be lethal as I told you above. Then we were given a snorkel and fins and I was assigned to one of the crew since I was a newbie. 

I got into the water and tried to form a seal around the mouthpiece, but to no avail. The waves were crashing into me and I was not having fun. Finally the crew guy said don’t use the snorkel – just hold your breath and put your head down. I still had the mask on so that’s what I did!  WOW!!!!  What a glorious sight. The reef is spectacular and I could see little fish floating under me and beautiful sealife growing out of the reef. It was magnificent. 

I stayed out for a while and then told the crew guy I was done!  Everyone said this was not the weather to learn how to snorkel in, but they were all cheering that I did it!  I was proud of myself too. It was not the calm waters of the Caribbean for sure. As a matter of fact, some of the seasoned snorklers in our group gave up as well because the waters were so rough.

We had lunch on the boat and the boat stopped at two other sites for those who wanted to continue snorkeling. I was done and Susan helped me get out of my Lycra suit and I changed back into my clothes. 

The waters were even rougher going back to port and the rain was pouring down. Susan asked if Allan and I would host a birthday party for one of our fellow travelers in our room and of course we said yes. So at 6 everyone came with their glasses of wine and whatever snacks they had to share and we all sat around talking and wishing our fellow traveler happy birthday. 

Susan then shared with us that just last week on an OAT trip to the reef, a traveler almost died while snorkeling. She still is in intensive care. Yikes!!! I might not have gone in if I knew that beforehand. 

Everyone stayed talking and when they finally went back to their own rooms, Allan and I walked to the restaurant in the pouring rain only to find out it was closed. So…we ate cheese and crackers in our room and of course drank some wine as well. 

In the past two days I’ve licked a green ant and survived snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef!!  Life is good!

How the heck does this thing go on!!!!

Ok…just about all set

Got my fins and snorkle! Ready as I’ll ever be.

I’m going in!!!! See ya!

And off I go!!

Looking down under with my crew guy.

beautiful waters

Our Great Barrier Reef boat