A gentle rapping on the door at 5:50 AM and the call to dive was anything but welcomed. I managed to crawl out of bed and to the deck to throw on the wetsuit. I slept walked through pre-dive prep, but as soon as I hit the brisk water I felt alive and energized. The dive was great, an amazing way to start the day.
There would be 5 dives overall on Saturday and the next 2 morning dives went as expected. We saw a myriad of sea life including sharks, turtles and rays. The afternoon transfer for those leaving the boat saw the exit of my buddy for the previous dives. I teamed up with a few of my new boat friends for the afternoon dive, they weren’t as experienced as me and were having a bit of trouble with buoyancy and such. It was a short dive due to air consumption and I ended up coming to the surface with a flooded ear. By the time dinner came along, I was in pain; the pressure in my ear was significant. I, however, would not be denied my 2nd and last night dive. I entered the water to see if I could make it down and carefully descended and headed out into the darkness. I did have to manage it carefully, but I think it actually felt better at depth. The dive was a success and I was happy that I gutted it out.
I had a bunch of drinks on the top deck to finish off the night with a few of my travel companions and dive/boat crew.
I was again exhausted for the 5:50 wakeup on Sunday, but my great diving wakeup the day before helped me to will myself off the top bunk and to the dive deck. I paired up with a nice Australian couple, experienced divers, and I let them take the lead. We had a great relaxing tour of the reef that lasted more than one hour. After a good breakfast it was time to go again….just 2 dives remained. Both would be at the same dive site which was very pleasant; two large coral mountains nearly reaching the surface. The area abounded with coral life and a gaggle of white tip reef sharks. I enjoyed the remaining time on the boat and headed back for Cairns.
Overall the Great Barrier experience was great. I did 12 dives in 3 days and left feeling satisfied. I enjoyed the company of some good people and saw some amazing life on the natural wonder of the world. I wish my father had been there to enjoy with me as I think it was exactly the type of dive environment he enjoys.
Tonight drinks with my friends from the boat and tomorrow on to the land of Kiwis...New Zealand.
There would be 5 dives overall on Saturday and the next 2 morning dives went as expected. We saw a myriad of sea life including sharks, turtles and rays. The afternoon transfer for those leaving the boat saw the exit of my buddy for the previous dives. I teamed up with a few of my new boat friends for the afternoon dive, they weren’t as experienced as me and were having a bit of trouble with buoyancy and such. It was a short dive due to air consumption and I ended up coming to the surface with a flooded ear. By the time dinner came along, I was in pain; the pressure in my ear was significant. I, however, would not be denied my 2nd and last night dive. I entered the water to see if I could make it down and carefully descended and headed out into the darkness. I did have to manage it carefully, but I think it actually felt better at depth. The dive was a success and I was happy that I gutted it out.
I had a bunch of drinks on the top deck to finish off the night with a few of my travel companions and dive/boat crew.
I was again exhausted for the 5:50 wakeup on Sunday, but my great diving wakeup the day before helped me to will myself off the top bunk and to the dive deck. I paired up with a nice Australian couple, experienced divers, and I let them take the lead. We had a great relaxing tour of the reef that lasted more than one hour. After a good breakfast it was time to go again….just 2 dives remained. Both would be at the same dive site which was very pleasant; two large coral mountains nearly reaching the surface. The area abounded with coral life and a gaggle of white tip reef sharks. I enjoyed the remaining time on the boat and headed back for Cairns.
Overall the Great Barrier experience was great. I did 12 dives in 3 days and left feeling satisfied. I enjoyed the company of some good people and saw some amazing life on the natural wonder of the world. I wish my father had been there to enjoy with me as I think it was exactly the type of dive environment he enjoys.Tonight drinks with my friends from the boat and tomorrow on to the land of Kiwis...New Zealand.
2 comments:
Harrison,
Enjoying your posts and the ability to live vicariously through your travels. Travel safely...looking forward to seeing you at home! roy
Harrison, you are absolutely correct that I wish I could have been with with you to dive the Great Barrier Reef. Maybe in my next life I can come back as one of my children. Enjoy the remainder of your adventure and be safe. Love, DAD
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