Nov 16, 17th Reef Sleep

Nov 16th was a quiet day.  We had no planned activites so thought we would go to the beach. 

 Unfortunately this was a non-starter as it is deadly jelly fish season.  

Instead, we decided to take the day to relax and enjoy the swimming pool at our apartment.  We took a quick trip into town to find a pharmacy and to grab a burger.

Nov 17th we started very early.  We left our apartment at 0715 to get to the Port of Airlie by 0730.  We joined a vessel in the port destined 100 km off shore to the Great Barrier Reef where we were to stay for the night in a pontoon boat which is stationed just off the edge of Hartley reef.

What an experience!  We could snorkel as much as we wanted...wearing sting suits of course!  

Paul had always drempt of diving on the Great Barrier reef and was able to at last...not once but twice!

The reef is indescribable!  Teeming with life and new coral growth it was an experience like no other.

In the evening...a huge, and I do mean huge (300 kg) fish could be seen through one of the lit underwater windows.   He is named George apparently and he stayed near the windows all night.

In the evening we had a delicious meal and eventually settled into sleeping pods for the night.  We kept ours open and slept under the stars!