Finding Nemo

Our live-aboard dive boat: Spoilsport

Yesterday we disembarked from the live-aboard boat that took us around one of the seven natural wonders of the world: The Great Barrier Reef.  It is the largest reef system in the world and can apparently be seen from outer space!

Our boat was aptly named “Spoilsport”, and we felt spoilt indeed!  The crew ensured that we could do up to 5 dives a day at some of the best dive spots on the reef.  Andy and I opted for 2 or 3 dives per day instead, which we felt was plenty.  (I can only take so much getting in and out of my wetsuit!)

Andy getting his gear ready

We were a full house on board, with 29 passengers being served by 12 crew members.  Unlike a typical beach hotel where holiday-goers keep to themselves, a live-aboard is very sociable.  A group of similar people, from all over the world, who love diving, traveling and the outdoors, came together for 5 days.  We enjoyed getting to know our fellow divers – all had interesting tales of previous adventures that they had undertaken.  (We were able to pick up some tips for our travels to South East Asia later in the month.)  Over meals, which were taken together, the day’s dives were discussed, and underwater photos shared.  In the evenings, Captain Pete would whip out his guitar, and get everyone to join in on cheesy Aussie songs – hilarious!

Our bunk beds

And the diving was great!  We enjoyed pristine coral gardens with an abundance of marine life.  At times the water was so clear, it really seemed like we were swimming around in an aquarium!  With all the diving we were able to see quite a bit – many Nemos and Dorys.  And if I ever got bored towards the end of a dive, Andy was sure to entertain me with his hula-girl impersonation.  Everything seems funnier underwater, okay!

Relaxing between dives

Our final dive was a spectacular shark feed dive.  We must have seen about 30 sharks circling at close-range: grey reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks as well as silver tips.  It was thrilling.  It reminded me a little of my dive with the Great Whites at Gansbaai a few years back … except that time I was in a cave.  These sharks are a little friendlier, so no cage was required luckily.  After the feed Andy picked up a sharks tooth that had fallen out.  Andy the “Packing Nazi” has given me permission to keep the tooth as a souvenir.  (Traveling around the world means that baggage must be kept to a minimum, and means that general souvenirs are always out of the question sadly.  This is strictly monitored by Andy.  I’m known as the “Time Nazi”, ensuring that we are always well ahead of schedule, much to Andy’s dismay!)

Our fellow passengers (we're at the back, right)

At the end of our dive trip, we disembarked at Lizard Island – one of the rumoured honeymoon destinations of Prince William and Kate Middleton.  We weren’t allowed near the exclusive resort though – the only one on the island.  The lack of bodyguards on the island got us thinking that that the rumour was probably not true.  (We have since discovered that the royal pair have postponed their honeymoon.  Oh well!)

The view from our scenic flight

From Lizard Island, we took a low altitude flight over the Great Barrier Reef back to Cairns, where we had originally embarked.  We were treated to a birds eye view of all the places we had explored at sea level and below.  A truly spectacular conclusion to our adventure!

The plan is now to soak up the Northern Queensland sun till the end of the week.  (Besides chilling, I plan to use the time to perfect my impersonation of the Aussie accent.)