Crocodile Dundee

You can’t go to Australia and not be warned about every creature that can kill you. Well we survived the snakes and dingo of the Great Outback (it was the heat that got us), so it wasn’t much surprise that upon arriving in Cairns, we were quickly told about the good old crocs that like to play in the rivers. If you have a nervous disposition, then Australia really wouldn’t be your cup of tea.

But we were after larger expanses of water and other aqua dwellers, namely Nemo and co. at the Great Barrier Reef. Talking about nervous dispositions, I will admit I was very hesitant about being in open water, because I am not a keen swimmer and am rather attached to the feeling of solid ground under my feel. But after months of gentle persuasion by Tanya, I eventually agreed. I’m glad I did.

We took a 2 hour catamaran ride with another dozen or so others, which was enjoyable as I do like sailing (on the water is fine, in it is another matter). We had the health and safety and coral life awareness talks (i.e. don’t touch anything, unless the guides say you can) and a book of things that can be seen on the Reef. Of course the thought in my head (and I guess others) is the presence of sharks, but my fears were abated when we were told the water was too warm for the man-eating types.

More reassured, we donned on the snorkelling gear and jumped in… rather tentatively. They weren’t lying about the warm water, very nice. So armed with flippers and flotation devices (foam noodles you also find at swimming pools), I bobbed on the water and felt as comfortable as I could with my first proper snorkelling experience. And then I put my head underwater and you see first-hand for the first-time the world under the water. Mind blown. Literally. No amount of documentaries, photos or stories really do it justice compared to seeing it for yourself. An explosion of colour and shapes continuously being pushed and pulled by the currents, fishes by the shoals and solo, darting around beneath you (makes a change from the supermarket shelf variety). I was like ‘‘Woaaaaah!!!’’ only it sounds a bit weird coming out of a snorkel tube.

Over the duration of the trip we were guided around the area by 2 of the crew, who pointed out weird and wonderful fauna and flora, got to see a stingray, shark (a ‘reef’ one I think), turtle and of course Nemo and a whole host of strange fish. It was incredible, though the currents picked up in the afternoon, which tired us out, and swallowing salty water is not appreciated at the best of times, and especially when it puts the stomach in an unhappy mood so the buffet lunch could not be fully appreciated.

It was definitely one of the more expensive activities of our travels. Worth it? Without a doubt.

As for Cairns itself, well it wasn’t the most attractive of places we’ve been; pancake-flat and unimaginative grid like town planning, but the people we met at the hostel were sure friendly and the sunset activity of hordes of bats filling the sky was pretty cool (though their daytime tree hide outs on the sidewalks were best avoided for the smell). People with more time on their hands (not us) would take trips out to the surrounding jungle scenery, which the other main attraction of the area.

I would note that of all the places on our travels, this was the place I got sun burnt (whilst out on the reef). I did wear sun-cream on my face, arms and legs, but didn’t note the gap on my back between t-shirt and board shorts, which was exposed whilst I was floating on the water. A simple mistake = a huge error, the result of which is only finally fading 4 months later (yes, it was that bad, and yes I am that late in posting this blog). Anyone who is of fair-skin knows what the lobster look is and the pain that comes with it, so you can imagine I had an uncomfortable few days leaning back on chairs. An Irish girl we had met at the hostel, fresh off the plane from the UK, had come with us on the boat trip, was hit for six on her legs and arms, so I couldn’t complain much.

So forget the crocs, the sun will get you first.

(P.S. No worthy pics, since the best part was underwater, sorry! You just have to go and see it for yourselves)