We were in Brisbane, on our way to see the Reef in 1974, when we had a phone call from home (Singapore, at that time) regarding a family emergency.
The Reef trip was aborted, and we never made it back till now - 2011!
Photo above shows us leaving Cairns in our wake on the way to Upolu Reef and Cay near Green Island.
2 views of the Reef above
However, the Reef was a big disappointment. The day was too choppy and rough for a decrepit snorkeler like me and I didn't get to see much. The little I did see was all murky, probably because of the choppy seas.
HYK did tell me that having been 30 years ago, his most recent trip to the Reef was disappointing.
Of course, the Reef stretches down to Bundaberg, I don't know what the rest looks like on a good day.
In contrast the Ningaloo Reef off the NW coast of WA offers better value for money. It's beautiful, calm and right on the sea shore - not an hour and a half out to sea.
The Cay was good fun though, and the lunch was good.
Rating on the day:
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary - Kuranda
A very enjoyable hour or so was spent here.
Rating:
Hi Arthur,
ReplyDeleteMy first and last trip to Great Coral Reef with family was about 10 years ago around 2000. It was on a double-cantamaran - powered by motor as well as by wind. It was a great feel when the captain caught the wind on return journey and allowed the cantamaran to plough the waves.
At the reef, we did some surface snorkelling and it was my first time to see a giant Ray-fish at sea
and also a giant cockle lying on the sea-bed with its 2-sides sightly opened. A Japanese tourist dived in to touch it and it jerked giving him a rather rude shock!
It was a memorable experience.
Anthony