The Great Barrier Reef

Can you come to an area of outstanding natural beauty, an area of diverse ecosystems the likes of which is seen nowhere else on earth and not see it? That's the question I have been asking myself ever since this holiday was booked.

Although I'm a good swimmer I have a strong dislike of seaweed, an illogical fear of fish and lets not even talk about wet sand! Give me a nice clean sanitised pool any day!  However I had made my decision and as long as I could return to the boat if I didn't like what I saw then I would give it a go and book an introductory dive. Have you ever regretted a decision and wished you could change your mind?

We opted for one of the smaller boats who only took 35 passengers but visited 2 sites, booked the tour and gathered on the jetty at the appointed time. As we boarded the boat we were issued with a mask, snorkel, fins and a stinger suit and its about now I start to feel panicky.  Unfortunately or fortunately, due to my medication, it was a thumbs down for me with regards to diving but I could snorkel or could I?

When we arrived at the first site I donned the stinger suit and prepared to leave the boat. The snorkelers were split into 2 groups, each one with a guide, and would be in the water for 1hour whereas the divers were in 3 groups and only had 20 minutes underwater. I waved goodbye to Steve and set off with my group. When I got into the water and was struggling to put my fins on I kept telling myself it would be ok without Steve to hold my hand. I concentrated on breathing and at first stayed close to the guide but soon relaxed, there was too much to look at it took my mind off what I was actually doing. The guide left us after half an hour and we were left to our own devices as long as we stayed a reasonable distance to return to the boat. Could I do this on my own, it was now or never so guess it just had to be now.

I must admit that I was a little disappointed, although the coral was beautiful and fascinating I thought it would have been more colourful than it appeared and also that there would be more fish - too much TV - although I did see a giant clam, turtles and parrot fish. Steve had an average dive, he had a painful ear and knee and had trouble with his buoyancy.  Unlucky for him but absolutely great for me because he decided not to dive again but to snorkel with me so when we arrived at the second dive site we set off together.

This second area was on the continental shelf so the coral was much deeper in places and I'm not sure why but it was far more vivid in colour. There were certainly more fish and they appeared bigger. I kept loosing Steve, he was busy videoing with an underwater camera we had hired, but it was so much better when I did catch up with him.

I am so proud of myself and glad I conquered my fears because I will never again have the opportunity to snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef