SO after my lovely business class flight from Bris Vegas, I landed in Cairns still feeling very tired and sorry for myself. I eventually got myself to my hostel and decided to go for a walk round. Forgot it was Sunday so nothing was actually open and it was the middle of the day so about 35 degrees.
After a couple of hours of aimless wandering it was back to the hostel (which was a very good hostel actually) to slap a dollar in the air conditioning machine and try and get a bit of rest. The rest of the day was comprised of sleep, KFC and more sleep. That was it.
Monday was my day trip to the Barrier Reef so I was up early and was a little bit freaked out when I go the marina to discover my boat was tiny! It only held about 20 people so I was a bit worried what would happen if the sea got choppy. Fortunately, the water was completely calm all day and the weather was beautiful so there was nothing to worry about at all!
I had booked a snorkelling trip with an introductory scuba dive so once we all got on the boat the instructors took us aside to give us the safety briefing and basic training for our dives. Because they were all introductory dives, there was only 2 people per instructor and cos I was the 7th person I got to go on my own and also got to go first. I can't actually remember the last time I was this excited about anything and I just couldn't wait to get in the water!
After an hour and a half of sailing out to Green Island it was time to get togged up and get in the water. I had my stinger suit on (and was looking rather fetching in it too!) and then they put the weights on me and my air tank and I was ready to go. I thought we would be walking down the steps off the boat but then they told me I had to jump in. At this point, everyone else on the boat had gone for their safety briefing for the snorkelling so as I stood on the edge about to put my life in someone else's hands, they all turned to watch - highly embarassing!
Anyway, I jumped off and was caught by Nicki the instructor. Once in the water I spent a few minutes hanging onto the bars attached to the side of the boat practicing the skills we'd been taught onboard and then it was time to let go.
OH MY GOD!!!! It was AMAZING!! After a slight initial panic the first time I went under because the breathing just feels so different I was off (the instructors hold your hand the whole time so you can't go too far). I absolutely loved it and once I got the hang of stabilizing my ears I found it really easy too. The reef was just amazing and the fish just come right up to you as if you're not even there. I saw lots of little Nemo fish and just so many weird and wonderful things I can't even describe. It was just the most amazing experience - like a whole other world! I had a disposable underwater camera with me so hopefully those pictures will come out well - it was pretty difficult going back to a tiny viewfinder then having to look at it through a mask - but hopefully they'll come out good.
The good thing was that because that part of the reef was owned by the company we were with there were no other trips around so we had the reef all to ourselves which made it even better.
After half an hour my time was up and I went back to the boat for lunch. Fortunately for me the company had mixed something up and had me down for 2 dives rather than one so I kept my mouth shut and hoped they didn't realise their mistake!
Lunch was excellent and there was heaps of it and just after lunch some Black Tipped Reef Sharks appeared around the boat which was amazing. After lunch we all got to go to Green Island for a bit. I had an hour just walking around it - the beach was just beautiful - and then it was back to the boat for my second dive.
Second dive went really well too. This time three of us went down with Nicki and we were allowed to dive on our own as long as we stayed close so that gave us a bit more freedom. Nicki was just there to make sure we were okay really. I had a hairy moment at one point when my ear started hurting and I couldn't pop it no matter how hard I tried but eventually I managed it and was fine after that. When we got in the water for the second dive the sharks were still hanging around so I can officially say I have swum with sharks now which is something I never thought I'd do although the reef sharks are very timid and as soon as everyone started getting in they swam away which was a shame.
After the second dive we all got back on the boat and started heading for home. It took another couple of hours to get back to port and when we got there the weather had turned and wasn't very nice at all but at least it wasn't raining. The staff on the boat were awesome and it was such a good day - I think it's going to be a while before anything tops that!
Monday night I had planned to go out with a friend who was in Cairns with the British Police RL Team and since I had to get up at 6am the next day for my trip to Cape Tribulation I was set on having an early night. I met Chris and eventually we met up with the rest of his team and at midnight I announced that I was going home. The next thing I knew I had an evil vodka red bull in my hand and didn't get in until 3.30am!
Tuesday was Cape Tribulation which was another really good day although I was tired and hungover and nothing was going to top the Reef trip! We went to Port Douglas first where everyone else went to this wildlife sanctuary but apparently I hadn't booked that section so I didn't go. After that it was a drive up the coast to Mossman Gorge where we went swimming in the river with all the fishies, after that it was more driving to this hotel at Cape Trib where we had a big buffet lunch. They said we could go to the beach but that we weren't allowed near the water cos there were crocs and stingers about. It was an amazing beach though!
Next stop was the Daintree River where we went on a river cruise and managed to spot some wild crocs. Well one anyway! Then it was back on the bus for the long drive home.
Tuesday night I had planned another fairly quiet one as I had to fly the next day. Unfortunately those police boys are a very bad influence and again I got in at about 3am after drinking far too much. They're good boys though and both nights got a cab with me to make sure I got back okay.
I was so hungover on my flight and just after I boarded (having almost missed the flight cos of the stupid check-in staff) they closed the airport cos of a thunderstorm so we just had to sit on the plane waiting for the weather to clear so everyone else could get on. The flight was really bumpy again and even though I kept telling myself we were almost through the clouds it actually lasted from about 1000ft to 11000! Crazy stuff!
So that was my short and sweet trip to Cairns. It was really nice but not sure I'd go there again - I'd like to check out some more diving in other parts of Australia before going back there as there are meant to be some great sites for diving.
Still to come...more Bris Vegas, World Cup Final and Sunday Sessions...
x
K, xxx