Great Barrier Reef By Jordy Morcom
Today was the day that we hit the Great Barrier Reef, an experience I
will not forget. We started off with a quick breakie before being picked up by the tour bus. In a few
minutes we were being briefed by Calypso’s
marine biologist, James, who was rather entertaining.
“When you go into the toilet you will
see a lock on the door,
Many have tended not use this and
other people have ended up seeing a lot more than just the Reef!” It took around an hour and a half to get out to our first
stop at the Outer Barrier Reef 50km from Port Douglas.
On our way to the Reef.
Ready to go!
The conditions on the day of the tour were perfect, with almost no breeze
and no swell - we saw so many things and learnt a lot too. Kurt claims to have seen a big hump headed
wrasse under the boat. We both went for big free dives down (though it was more
difficult in deeper water). Mum was astounded by how deep and how long James
and the Italian dive instructor could dive for, especially when James was
showing Will and Mum “NEMO” - a group of
true clown fish. He went down a good 5m
and searched for several minutes before roughing the anemone to get them out at
our final dive spot.
Overlooking dive spot; you can see the coral
Love at first dive, and bite to....
Look out coral... here I come!!
One of the
strangest things Mum and I saw was a few
really weird looking fish which looked liked they had a large “NOSE”on their
forehead. By looking at one of the fish charts I discovered that it looked a
bit like the unicorn fish, though not exactly. At the second spot we joined a tour with the
Marine Biologist, during which we saw a grey reef shark. Some of the clams were enormous and
beautifully coloured! Some even camouflaged and had coral growing on them.
Giant clams can live up to 100 years and grow as big as an average size man. One of the most fascinating facts of all was
that some fish can change their sex (gender), and usually do this when there
are less of one type so they can reproduce better.
I reckon the
tour was as good as it gets. Dad was
excited about his first Great Barrier Reef tour and was proud to take his
family out on such a memorable day.
Time for the loooong ride home...
"Dad, how far was that again...?"
"This has been a day of experiences..."
For once I believe that saying,
"water as clear as glass".
End of our tour, what a day.
I personally hope to come back again.
In fact, we all do, as every one probably does.
Mossman Gorge By Kurt Morcom
When we were
in Port Douglas, we decided to visit Mossman Gorge for a second time. The first
time we forgot goggles, noodles, rashies and sunscreen and Jordy and I got
sunburnt. This time we were more organised. Mum and Will and I went snorkeling and looking for turtles but sadly didn't find any.
I personally loved the gorge because you can
float down the rapids and swim through the schools of jungle perch. The fish
usually face into the current and are not that scared of humans.
We went for
a long rock hopping hike down the stream and the boulders are big and smooth. The
water is very cool and it takes a while to get used to it. When dad and I
crossed the Gorge we saw a small whip
snake about a metre long.
I would like to come back here again
sometime as it one of the best gorges that I have been to.
Me helping Will to climb up the rock.
Jordy snapping shots
The awesome rapids
Out and about in Port Douglas.
Kurt at the marina
Jordy with fish and chips
A pot and a cone of prawns.
Dinner is sorted.
Views from the Tin Shed.
Will opened a massage business in Port Douglas
turning over $5 in three days.
Will getting some AIR at Port Douglas Skate Park
turning over $5 in three days.
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