Finding Nemo!

So far, we had always held back on the countless tours that can be booked in Australia for all the sights. Not because we didn't want to. It's just incredibly expensive!!!

However, we didn't want to miss out on snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef! For a mere $180, we booked a day at the largest coral reef in the world.

With 'Passion of Paradise', about 50 other people and I set sail on Thursday at 7:30am, on our way to the outer reef. We had to travel about 50 km to get there. I had taken a few 'motion sickness tablets' just in case, but luckily the water was calm. :-)

On the way, there was a bit of a commotion when the captain announced that a whale had been spotted. Everyone rushed out at the same time to try to catch a glimpse. We only saw the water fountain, and then it was gone.

Armed with a wetsuit (against jellyfish) and snorkeling equipment, we could finally get started. At first, in the middle of the open sea, I didn't feel quite comfortable. But when the first corals came into view, all the fear was forgotten.

You are suddenly in a completely different, surreal beautiful world!

Until then, I had only been snorkeling once in Croatia, and there wasn't much to see except sea urchins. Completely different here! Crystal clear water, colorful corals, even more colorful fish... The absolute dream and my highlight so far in Australia!

After over an hour of snorkeling, there was a delicious buffet lunch for all the hungry snorkelers and divers. After a little nap on deck, we could go snorkeling again at a second spot.

Here it was a bit more difficult because the corals were sometimes only a meter below the water's surface and you had trouble swimming over them without getting injured by the corals (or the corals themselves).

Just before the end, I saw a turtle! For a few seconds, I swam directly above it and it looked like it was floating. The absolute best moment!!!

By around five o'clock, we were back in Cairns. We went swimming here again and then enjoyed the wonderful sunset.

What a perfect day!