Tag 43: They don`t call it the Medium Barrier Reef.

11.08.2016

Today we start our day in the same mood as we ended the last one: tired! This is mainly due to the fact that we have to get up at 5:30 am to make our way to the port of Cairns through dense fog and glaringly illuminated streets. Miraculously, despite the obstacles mentioned and only with the remaining caffeine (from the previous evening) in my bloodstream, I manage to guide us to our destination. Although we still have time at the port, the extremely strong wind is against us and our camping stove - which also affects breakfast.

Against all odds, we decide to check in eagerly for our catamaran. Check-in? Yes, you read that right, before we are allowed to board the boat, we have to gather in an airport-like hall and choose our company there to let them know that we exist and are present.

On the boat itself, we are greeted with everything we hoped for - for a much too high price. For me, at this shocking departure time (7:30), this primarily includes coffee and a quiet corner. After a while, the ship chugs out of the port and reveals how the following hours will unfold. So we are surrounded to a large extent by Australians who take up more than their allocated space on the ship for one person - yes, the overweight here is reminiscent (literally) of the USA. A few German pensioner couples are lurking dangerously close behind us, so we have to be careful about what we say (a restriction that is very difficult after weeks of uninhibited and loud gossip).

While I stretch out on the sun deck, Gudi calls out, "Whale" into my half-sleep. This hardly evokes any reaction from me. Nevertheless, I wonder why Gudi is drawing my attention to something that I already know - and I am convinced that she is referring to the plump Australians. After a while, it occurs to me that Gudi would never refer to a plumper fellow human being as a whale, which is why I get up and just in time catch a glimpse of the tail fin of a real - but also very plump - whale. In my excitement, I name the whale - as it should be - Shamu (every 2nd domesticated whale in the world is called that).

Some time later, the boat stops and we find ourselves on the edge of the world-famous Great Barrier Reef from one moment to the next. I am champing at the bit like a bull in front of a rodeo, but still have to endure what feels like an eternity of explanations about the individual diving equipment. Finally, we are allowed to enter the water (no, we are not boats, but I still like the expression in the context of being allowed to go into it). The first impression I have of the Great Barrier Reef is primarily a very blurry one, followed by a feeling of drowning. This is not due to tears of joy and a swimming incapacity caused by shock, but rather because my diving mask is leaking so much that I feel like I am drowning in it. It quickly turns out that my - now more than untamed - mustache is responsible for this. With a handful of Vaseline, I smooth out the hairy spot on my face (where the mask rests, for all the hair on my face, it would have required a bucket full of grease). This old diving trick works and immediately I can perceive the breathtaking colors and variety of species of the reef. And honestly, it is really worth a trip. We are allowed to linger in the middle of schools of fish and watch huge, colorful inhabitants of the water in their being. Right next to the line where diving apprentices are instructed from our boat, I discover a huge...uh...blue fish (see photo). This fascinates me so much that I completely ignore the divers and rush towards the giant at full speed, disregarding their bodies in my way. Afterwards, I am told that I not only hit one of them in the face. Well, who is used to such huge foot extensions (fins). Besides - motto Europe: I paid for it, I can do it;).

At a second snorkeling spot, we even discover a small sand beach inhabited by seagulls, which is ideal for Caribbean-like photo shoots.

Conclusion of the boat tour: I may not have seen any turtles, but I did spot a pretty big shark and countless other fish. The boat is really crowded, but the food is good, so I manage to smuggle the admission price out of my body fat again. We also get to see whales, some only briefly in the water, others accompany us throughout the entire boat tour and can be found more on deck. All in all, it is clear why this place is called the Great Barrier Reef and not the Medium Barrier Reef, as it reveals only a small part of the magnificent and still largely unexplored underwater life.

Gudi's glorious laws:

Don't touch anything! We are in Australia, you could hurt it and it can certainly hurt you.

This warning seems to have some truth to it. Not only at the reef, but also everywhere else we discover huge (presumably venomous) ants, run-over giant snakes on the side of the road, and today I even encountered an extremely unhealthy-looking spider in the toilet.