Australia day 24: Franklin Islands, and the great barrier reef, 28th October 2009
Saturday, 7. November 2009, 12:13:24
Today was the day we had our second trip booked, to go and see some islands and the great barrier reef. To get there, we had to be up REALLY early, and to get ourselves and two kids ready and out the door by 7.10am, it relly was like a military operation. We managed it though.
We got on the coach and were greeting by some of the staff, who seemed really nice, especially Yuki, who was the trip's Japanese translator (many of the party were Japanese). Her giving out the announcement in Japanese had many benefits, but the main one for us was that Elva was absolutely captivated by this unfamiliar language coming out of her mouth. Elva was being really restless and crying on the coach ride, but Every time Yuki talked Japanese, she shut up immediately and turned to watch her until she had finished... ;-)
We got the the marina and boarded the boat that would take us out to the Islands - it was a kind of passenger Yacht, and was ok. they were serving coffee and biscuits, so we were happy enough. But it soon developed some kind of engine trouble, so we had to wait for another boat to come out and pick us up. This was a blessing in disguise however, as the replacement boat was a 1400hp speedboat, which took us to the Islands at about 30-40 knots. It was a real rollercoaster of a ride, and Gabriel and I loved it, although Kirsty was a bit shook up by it. Elva fell asleep!
We got to the island quicker than the other boat would have got us there, even with the 20 minute or so delay. It was an absolutely beautiful island - coral and other sealife not too far out, lovely beaches and trees. It was amazing to see the diverse range of coral and shells washed up on the beach (some parts were like coral graveyards!), although we were warned that taking any of it away as souvenirs could incur a $25,000 fine, as part of an effort to preserve the islands and reefs. So we, erm, didn't!
At the start of the island stay I was on baby watch (with Elva still being slaeep) while Kirsty and Gabriel did some snorkelling. Kirsty saw a turtle, so was very happy! Turtles are her totem creature. Elva then woke up, and we all went on the glass bottomed boat trip. This was one of the most amazing things I hve ever seen - the water was really clear, and only a few metres deep on the areas we went around, so we could see the coral perfectly. So many amazing shapes and colours! We also saw some beautiful fish and some giant clams. I could've done that all day.
Lunch was beautiful - a nice buffet with pasta, salad, prawns, bread and chicken, plus beer available. Just after lunch we played in the sea, and a huge turtle came really close to the shore! Then gabriel had a sleep while Kirsty, Elva and me walked round the island. This was really cool, but the beaches got really stony after a while and really started to hurt my feet, so Kirsty had to go back and get my shoes for me! I also got sunburnt... but never mind - it was so beautiful.
After getting home we chilled in the pool, then went to a great pizza place for tea, followed by Gabriel playing on the park for a while. Then home, into bed, watching some American Dad episodes before sleep....knackered, but very happy!
We got on the coach and were greeting by some of the staff, who seemed really nice, especially Yuki, who was the trip's Japanese translator (many of the party were Japanese). Her giving out the announcement in Japanese had many benefits, but the main one for us was that Elva was absolutely captivated by this unfamiliar language coming out of her mouth. Elva was being really restless and crying on the coach ride, but Every time Yuki talked Japanese, she shut up immediately and turned to watch her until she had finished... ;-)
We got the the marina and boarded the boat that would take us out to the Islands - it was a kind of passenger Yacht, and was ok. they were serving coffee and biscuits, so we were happy enough. But it soon developed some kind of engine trouble, so we had to wait for another boat to come out and pick us up. This was a blessing in disguise however, as the replacement boat was a 1400hp speedboat, which took us to the Islands at about 30-40 knots. It was a real rollercoaster of a ride, and Gabriel and I loved it, although Kirsty was a bit shook up by it. Elva fell asleep!
We got to the island quicker than the other boat would have got us there, even with the 20 minute or so delay. It was an absolutely beautiful island - coral and other sealife not too far out, lovely beaches and trees. It was amazing to see the diverse range of coral and shells washed up on the beach (some parts were like coral graveyards!), although we were warned that taking any of it away as souvenirs could incur a $25,000 fine, as part of an effort to preserve the islands and reefs. So we, erm, didn't!
At the start of the island stay I was on baby watch (with Elva still being slaeep) while Kirsty and Gabriel did some snorkelling. Kirsty saw a turtle, so was very happy! Turtles are her totem creature. Elva then woke up, and we all went on the glass bottomed boat trip. This was one of the most amazing things I hve ever seen - the water was really clear, and only a few metres deep on the areas we went around, so we could see the coral perfectly. So many amazing shapes and colours! We also saw some beautiful fish and some giant clams. I could've done that all day.
Lunch was beautiful - a nice buffet with pasta, salad, prawns, bread and chicken, plus beer available. Just after lunch we played in the sea, and a huge turtle came really close to the shore! Then gabriel had a sleep while Kirsty, Elva and me walked round the island. This was really cool, but the beaches got really stony after a while and really started to hurt my feet, so Kirsty had to go back and get my shoes for me! I also got sunburnt... but never mind - it was so beautiful.
After getting home we chilled in the pool, then went to a great pizza place for tea, followed by Gabriel playing on the park for a while. Then home, into bed, watching some American Dad episodes before sleep....knackered, but very happy!
WIDGETIZE