Checking back I forgot to post September 26 so here it is way out of order Thankfully I have every day typted in Word.
Sept 26 Wednesday Cairns and Great Barrier Reef.-We are up early today as we meet at 7:35 for a full 9 hr. excursion to the outer Great Barrier Reef (Michaelmas Cay ). Breakfast first, a full buffet, hot and cold, complements of Fantasy tours. We sure do not go hungry. A short trip to Cairns marina and we board a huge catamaran “Ocean Spirit”. $189.00 each but it is included in out trip. After a pleasant boat ride we arrive at a sugar white beach and view the biggest living organism. It is the largest marine park in the world. A 1240 mile long underwater coral fairyland with electric coloured bizarre fish, warm water, and lots ofsunshine. The Great Barrier Reef is the only living structure visible from the moon. It is larger than the United Kingdom and larger than the Great Wall of China. We have 5 hours to enjoy Michaelmas Cay, a picturesque reef sand island surrounded by magical coral gardens teeming with an incredible diversity of marine life. Snacks, tea or coffee is included, latter a scrumptious buffet hot and cold lunch is provided. Bill and I take a half hour snorkel tour with a marine biologist. I get to test my new underwater camera .I can’t wait to download them. We also get a half hour tour on a glass bottom semi-submersible boat ride. We have an unusually low tide while we are here. A bird sanctuary is roped off for the birds protection as it is a nesting area. An incredible pristine environment. A visit here is an experience never to be forgotten. No wonder it is on the wonders of the world list.