MadisonK Australia2011: Day Eight 6/15/11

Today we went to the Great barrier Reef. It was really sunny this morning, but a little cold and windy. We got on to the boat and it took us about two hours to actually get to where we were would be swimming in the reef. By the time we got our snorkeling gear on the wind had died down and it was much warmer. I expecting the water to be a little chilly, but it was actually super warm, like bath water. Honestly, the water was warmer than the air. And the reef was gorgeous! Then, I went on a glass-bottomed boat to see the reef without getting wet, and we saw a sea turtle! When we got back to Cairns we were given the chance to go hang around town again for dinner. We went to a cute little Thai restaurant and got ice cream for dessert!

the Great Barrier Reef was absolutely amazing! I loved everything about it; the coral, the fish, the water, the sand. I fell in love the moment I stepped on the boat in the morning. The view of the ocean and city were beautiful, and the sun was up and shining. We had a nice, bouncy boat ride to the reef (I love waves!) and awesome lifeguards! I was so excited when we got to the reef, and the weather was lovely! The water was a lot warmer than I thought it would be. And it was so clear that I could see the colorful fish before even going it. When I put my head in the water it was like entering a different world. One of the best feelings ever, I think, is being able to "breathe" under water. Being able to stay down there forever. It's breathtaking. And seeing the amazing coral and fish was wonderful. This was a once in a lifetime experience that I was given a chance to do. The reef itself was so nice and there were places I saw over where the coral was literally only three inches below me. And I got to touch and feed the fish! The water was just absolutely gorgeous and crystal clear. After I got out of the water I got to relax in the sun, eating rice with chopsticks and drinking warm tea. There were a lot of nice people of the boat too! There was even a touch tank where I held a sea cucumber! It was gross and squishy and slimy! I thought it was going to eat my hand or something. Then I got to hold a cute little clingy starfish! It was adorable. Next, I went on a tour boat to experience the reef without getting wet. We learned about the reef and sea life, and we even saw a wild sea turtle! I really enjoyed learning so much about the reef, plus it's beautiful to look at! At points while I was swimming I would take off my life jacket to swim to the bottom of the reef for a better look at everything. The coral was so close at times that I got cute once. But I know it didn't mean it. The reef and I still love each other. Then I went to see the lifeguard, Yuki, for some fish food. The fish completely swarmed my legs as I fed them! Then we took pictures by the sunset on the boat ride back. All in all, it was an amazing, beautiful, once in a life time experience.