Great Barrier Reef

The marine explorers
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Christmas Eve! and what better way to spend it than snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. We boarded our boat bright and early to sail out to Michaelmas Cay, a tiny sand bar 2 hrs from the mainland. We were transferred over to the island by tender, where we were given our masks and snorkels ready to see the underwater sights. Unfortunately, Becky and I both had a lot of leakage issues and ended up having to wear the pink kiddie's masks. Once suitably equipped, Dan and I set off over the reef hand in hand. Typically, at the shout of "shark, shark" from the shore, Dan let go of my hand and swam off in the opposite direction. He says he was following it, I'm not so sure! I didn't see it but apparently it was a harmless baby reef shark - phew. Our next equally scary sighting was a big white stingray flapping its way along the bottom. Again, Dan let go of my hand and swam 'after it'. We had words about the level of protection he was affording me, and he subsequently promised to look after me a bit better next time we came face to face with life threatening marine wildlife. We saw brightly coloured coral, giant clams and all manner of tropical fish. My favourites were the mulicoloured parrot fish with big pouty pink lips - I wanted to give one a kiss.

What's that down there...?
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After half an hour or so, we were transferred back to the boat where we sailed on to Paradise Point in the outer reef, an area where the reef comes to within feet of the water's surface. Our favourite sighting here was an enormous sea turtle, gliding effortlessly through the water. We followed him for a while and Dan dived down and touched its shell (he didn't touch the turtle head!). All snorkelled out, we boarded the boat for the sail back to the mainand. Becky and I bagged ourselves a sunbathing spot on the trampoline nets at the front of the boat and sat sipping tea and eating ginger biscuits.

Christmas Eve! and what better way to spend it

...it's a turtle head
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The excitement of the day had obviously taken its toll on us as we were all tucked up in bed by early evening so santa could go about his business in peace. I hope someone told him where we are!