Great Barrier Reef

I welcomed my arrival in sunny Cairns, a weekend paradise away from the big city. The town is a backpacker haven for those coming to explore the Great Barrier Reef, or the surrounding wet tropics rainforests and tablelands. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest system of coral reefs in the world and is listed as a protected site by the World Heritage Trust.

 

We booked a tour through Ocean Freedom, one of the many companies in the area offering snorkeling and diving expeditions to various reef sites. We started off our day at Upolu Reef, where we were dropped off on a barely visible sunken sand cay for our first go at snorkeling.

 

Oh hey Nemo! Clownfish have so much personality, if you can imagine fish having any distinctive character  in the first place. Seriously though, these little guys were so fun to play with :)

The second reef site we visited is referred to as the “Wonder Wall,” or the outer edge of the Opolu reef. We were given the opportunity to take the plunge to a depth of 7 meters with an oxygen tank (there are restrictions for those without diving certification). 

 

I borrowed an encased digital camera and I was able to capture some of what I can’t really put into words. I apologize for the shaky camera skills … I’m not sure if it was more my nerves or wanting to pan around to catch everything in all directions.

done

At the beginning of this clip you will see a giant clam … and then, several coral species.

done

The feeling was a weightlessness I’ve never experienced. Suspended by nothing but water on all sides and gliding alongside marine life was incredibly surreal. Am definitely hoping to dive again before leaving! 

~ by dawillia on October 22, 2008.