Putting Samoa in the rear view window – I am sorely losing my battle at slowing the hands of time on this trip – it is off to Cairns, Australia. By the by, it is pronounced Cans, as in “cans of beer” a local mate told me.

This stop has been one I have really been looking forward to as it is were we will swim/dive at the Great Barrier Reef. The GBR is something I have read about and seen on TV for most of my life (thank you Jacques Cousteau), creating a mystique I can’t believe I am finally getting to explore.

Arriving at our resort, we find that our accommodations are very well appointed…

And, as a first for me, we have a swim in/swim out room !

Night one, we dine on mountains of fresh king prawns, shrimp, oysters, and other ocean delicacies. Were treated to a visit by a special guest…

He was as soft as those stuffed koala bears you had growing up and remarkably amenable to lots of oohing, ahhing, and pawing.

For the first time the group is starting to see and feel the affects of jet lag. Prior to this stop, we have just seemed to adjust through ignorance and activity. (A quick and interesting side note – throughout this entire 24 day trek we do not have one night flight, so fly and travel only by the light of day). Also, as seen in C’s eyes above, a head cold is being generously passed around the plane to put a little gas on that jet lag flame. Following dinner I was totally bamboozled, and barely able to drag myself to bed.

Up early the next morning and set sail for the GBR ! We had a charter boat to ourselves, which was nice, but had rough weather and high seas, which was not. Boat time to our spot was an hour and a half. The weather raged, the rain poured, and we plowed through 3-5 foot waves in our quest. Oddsmakers had it at nine as the over/under for victims of seasickness, a number that was barely missed on the low side.

Once situated the weather turned nice for our water time. First off everyone was treated to a trip around the reef we were at in a semi-submersible submarine. While I kept thinking of “The Incredible Mr. Limpett”, it gave us fantastic, close-up views of the life around the reef. Saw a couple of little nurse sharks, turtles, blue-spotted sting rays (on the smaller side), and fields of bright, colorful coral and fish.

Once upon a time I used to scuba-dive a good bit, but time has marched on and I have not dived since 1980ish. It was only after thorough questioning that the dive master felt comfortable in allowing me dive this day. Not gonna lie, geared up and standing at the side of the boat there was some nervousness in these almost 60 year-old bones, but I was determined. The instant I hit the water and began breathing underwater all the sensations I recall from diving those many years ago came cascading back. I was 20 years old again !

We dove for 45 minutes at anywhere from 30-50 feet. The dive master was good at directing us to spots of colorful coral and fish. I also spent a a fair amount of time just swimming around reveling in just being there. While I swam in/around many beautiful fish, sea cucumbers, anemones, etc. I did not see any of the predatory kind. Then, when done and back on the boat one of the other divers said they saw a 6-8’ Hammerhead shark while swimming behind me.

Full disclosure here, I did not take the above underwater pics. They were taken by a fellow traveler – KS.

Dinner was in that night in the hopes of allowing C some rest and time to heal herself. Bags packed as we are winging our way to Siem Reap, Cambodia tomorrow to visit the holy temple of Angkor Wat.