Who knew going to the Great Barrier Reef was the equivalent to an E-Ticket ride?

So, this morning we were up and at em by about 8:30.  We were going to the reef for snorkeling, etc.  Boarded the fancy aluminum boat… and when we saw the size, it was dawning on us, this won’t be an intimate group.  We’d have 200 of our closest friends with us!  So, what I had imagined and what reality is are two different things.  There is a huge pontoon anchored in the a part of the reef about 90 minutes from shore, our boat pulls up and ties on, and there is snorkeling, diving, bell diving all available… quite organized, but geez a lot of folks. 

But that’s just part of the story!  There were such winds as be headed out, sloppy seas, and water splashing well up over the second level of the boat.  We hadn’t been out more than 10 minutes into the trip when, sure enough, the barf bags started being used!  To the front of me, to the rear of me, and to the side. Fortunately Jerry and I were doing okay and as was the rest of our table (6 of us).    The staff were busy collecting bags and helping folks.  Boy, this is gonna be a long day we thought!

Fortunately, once  at the Pontoon, the sun was shining, water was calmer but still not smooth (it was shallower where we were at this time) and there just was a strong wind a-blowing!  Our intention was to snorkel, but looking at the area and how choppy the waves were, we opted out.  We hopped on a little semi submersible boat (they had about 4 of them) and got, I think, even better pictures.  Learned about the coral there and the bleaching of it due to a rise in water temperatures.  It is a problem, but has always been a problem, just that this cycle has been worse.  The coral is showing some signs of improvement and the blues and pinks are coming back.  The recent Cyclone that hit a week and a half ago is helping reduce those temps even more.

(As I’m lying in bed writing this, the forest came alive as mother natured dumped more water on us!  The bugs and birds were making all kinds of noise.  Calming down now… I will tell you, this muggy heat is something else!)

Anyway, I digress… Had lunch, went in the semi-submersible boat and took picks of the reefs.  

Little did we know, that we had that ride that was gonna be even more dramatic on the way back to port waiting for us. Got everyone on board again and took off to end the journey.  The first 20 minutes… ah, this is no problem… and then BAM!!!  Bouncing up and down at times and the wind was slamming into us.  And, the barf bag patrol was on again. 

So, as we’re settling in on our E-Ticket ride home, suddenly, we are hearing a warning sound… NOT GOOD with all the wind, the chop and being way out in the water (by the way it almost sounded like a bilge filling with water alarm).   All the staff are running to their muster stations, all with very serious ( and alarmed) looks on their faces.  Some are putting on their life jackets, some are manning their station, etc… you get the drift.  All the while the noise is going on and on.  No one is saying anything to us.  I think even the sick folks stopped while all this was happening.  After about 3 minutes (which doesn’t sound long, but if you’re thinking the boat might be going down, that’s a long time.  Finally the captain came on and said the alarm was malfunctioning, the boat is okay, and staff could leave there muster stations.  What a way to end the trip!  I’ll tell you, terra firma never felt so nice!

Got back home, rested and had a great meal.  We were in bed by 9:30.  Gotta get up at o’dark thirty… going on a hot air balloon ride the next day!

Chloe and Nick our super duper Flight Attendents... so fun to get to know them!

Very unique Aluminum Boat Construction

The guy behind us doing the photobomb unknowingly... He'd been throwing up the last hour... Probably wishing he never got on the boat!

 Cattle call for snorkeling... and scuba diving... 

 A bit of chop on the water...

 Waiting for the semi submersible