Swimming in the big blue

Having a girls only room most definitely paid off last night as we didn’t have to put up with any of the boys snoring! 
Today we headed out to the Ningaloo Reef, a place I have wanted to go to for over a year now!! Despite the dodgy winds which lead to dodgy tummies it did not disappoint! 

First swim of the day was with the majestic manta rays, this is the second time I’ve swam with them but I don’t think you could ever get bored of these creatures!! They float along as if they have no care in the world moving with such ease and agility.  

    
 Unfortunately it was a pretty cold and windy day so I did spend quite some time feeling sorry for myself over the edge of the boat! Thankfully it had worn off by the time of the next snorkel and I was ready to go searching for some turtles! And I was in luck!! We found a very chilled out little fella who was happy for us to follow him around for some time and watch him attempt to get himself some snacks – even managed to get a few great videos and photos! 

 Although he is looking slightly angry here!
  
 As the day went on I got colder and colder, once you get to the shivering stage (and you’re wet) it is very hard to come back from that but the group were lovely looking after me and Sydney leant me her beautifully warm rain coat which helped a lot!

One final snorkel over the shark cleaning bay – yes this is apparently a real thing and not just from the cartoon movies! – although we only managed to spot a couple reefies. 

All in all it was a fantastic day put on by Coral Bay Eco Tours and I would definitely venture out with them again! Just hopefully the weather would be better next time!

Back to Coral Bay for the most beautiful hot shower and back on the bus for the venture down to Exmouth for our first go at two nights camping!

I can’t stand the rain…

Today we have an early start to leave Queenstown and make our way towards our Milford Sounds boat cruise although unfortunately the weather was not on our side!

First of all we headed down to the iconic Mirror Lake views although unfortunately the wind was too strong and the reflections didn’t quite work. We then drove through Homer Tunnel which literally goes straight through the mountain. Our tour guide and bus driver had some skilful music choices for this part!!

As we drove towards the boat cruise we were told about the various avalanches that can happen around these mountains, not only from falling rocks and snow but also from falling trees.

Once we got to the boat the weather had gotten worse and the rain and wind continued without a break! It made the journey a particularly rough one and I spent most of the journey sweet talking people into warming me up with cuddles and by sitting on my feet!

We took the same route out of the Fiordland and the difference in the waterfalls was phenomenal! You can really tell that these waterfalls come from the rainfall and not any stream or river.

Tonight’s dinner was a beautiful steak and our Accomodation was set in a hotel a designed as a miniature village!

Finally finding Nemo!

I think since the film was released the entire population have wanted to go on their own adventure across the Great Barrier Reef to find their very own Nemo. Today was finally my chance!

It was also my first time as a qualified diver which made it even more special.

We went out with the guys from Passions of Paradise and they were a lovely bunch who looked after us very well all day!

I did two dives with two other certified divers from our group, a lady from South Africa and our tour guide. Our first stop was Hastings Reef where we dived up to 16 metres however the best views of the reef were at our 5m safety stop where the water is more shallow and more light reaches the corals.

Our second dive was at Michealmas Cay which is a lot more sandy so visibility was less clear however we did get to see a Blue Spotted Ray in the distance. There was a stronger chance of seeing turtles here but unfortunately we missed out on that during the dive.

It was a great day out but I was slightly disappointed by the colours of the reef, it is ‘bigged up’ so much that I guess my expectations were set so high it was hard to meet them however I may give Cairns another visit during the next semester and give the reef another chance…. It’s still an area of such beauty afterall!

You’ve got to love a good welcome

Especially if it is in the form of a song!!!