The Great Barrier Reef!

With the beauty this earth has to offer, theres good reasoning for the 7 wonders of the world to be more like 10 or is it 20 by now in m opinion. The Great Barrier Reef, however, its like a world all its own. After USA brought home a few wins last night in the clubs, we were ready to try our luck out at the reef.

We boarded the Reed Experience double decker boat at Marlin Wharf in Cairns, where we would take about an hour cruise out to the reef. As we boarded the ship we were handed a pair of fins, goggles, snorkel and wetsuit. Being the athletes we are, we jumped on the egg and bacon sandwiches they served for breakfast to jump start our day. 

We then headed to the upper deck and sprawled out on the cushioned seats and took in the warm sun and thin ozone layer that Australia lacked. The trip out to sea was smooth sailing with clear visibility in the water, lovely blue skies and a mountainous backdrop behind us.  

When we reached the reef, we put away the sunglasses and put on our goggles. We were given a quick tutorial on scuba diving procedures and then we were all permitted to go in the water to snorkel until our group was called to put on the scuba gear. 

The reef was nothing short of incredible. It was vibrant in color, diverse in plant, animal and terrain life. It dropped off at parts where you didn’t dare dive down to and other parts it rose to just beneath the surface, so close that my knee is still scraped up from trying to glide over the shallow coral. 

If you’ve ever seen Finding Nemo, we found most of the fish in the movie, but thankfully the sharks didn’t make a show. I made sure to bring my underwater camera, which I will hopefully be able to upload photos from soon once I develop the film back in the states. The parrot fish were my favorite because of their rich colors and shimmer when they wiggled by you.

Once Adelle, Julie, Bri and my group was called to scuba, we were suited up in heavy equpment while sitting down and given our regulator to practice breathing in and out of. We had to spit in our goggles (our enzymes keep them from fogging up) and hop into the water, where our instructor deflated our suits one by one and we sank underwater. As we held onto the underside of the boat, we went through the tests where we had to take the regulator out, take in water through our mouth, put the regulator back in and spit the water through the device by saying “TWO!” with a force.  Julie had to go back up because she had trouble breathing and then as a grou we linked arms and further deflated our suits to sink deep into the clear blue water. We had to continuously pop our ears, but the sound of only our breathing was soothing as we swam around in awe of the scenery.  Adelle and I took photos underwater and really enjoyed the scuba experience. 

We got out and took a break laying in the sun again as we traveled to a different portion of the reef. There we had the option to pay for another scuba dive experience go out and snorkel or take a tour snorkeling with a marine biologist later on. I opted to snorkel first and with that I had the opportunity to spot the most beautiful sea turtle that I must have followed around for 20 mins. A handful of us hovered over top of the turtle and would take turns diving near the turtle so the professional underwater photographer could get a picture. I saw the photographer scratching the turtles back so when I dove down I rubbed the turtle’s smooth shell and it was an amazing moment to be out in the wild with this guy in the environment we were in. 

On the smorkel tour I also had the opportunity to pet a giant clam. If you could hold your breath long enough, we were allowed to swim down and rub the inside of the clam’s mouth so it would slightly shake, then close as if catching pray swimming inside its big mouth. I felt like I was in a cartoon watching the clam move its overgrown shells. We also spotted the clownfish and their babies and they were very protective of their home but I got a great picture I think. 

As we boarded the boat we then had the chance to go out in a boat with a glass bottom so I can still show you guys some of the reef, but it won't be as colorful and clear as the photos I haven't developed.

As we were heading back we mostly fell asleep laying out in the sun on the top of the boat because the day was pretty draining. To top off the day at sea we also saw humpback whales surfacing and giving our boat some great entertainment.

Later that night our professors took us to a local pub called Woolshed to commemorate the trip with a private dinner, dessert and drinks as funny awards were handed out. 

There was obviously the award for best grades, but an award for “best alternative way to pay for a taxi” by barfing in it and also making “nice” with the most Australians were given out to other students.

 It was also Ladie’s Night so us girls were given free champagne the whole night as we listened to a live band play popular American 90’s music. 

Later on in the night there was a painted body competetion where two of our girls participated in by having the American flag painted on them as they danced across the tables to American music. 

One of our girls came in 2^nd place and won $50. Thanks for reading, I hope you’re ready for the next post on skydiving!!

LOVE,

ME