"The Great Barrier Reef"With my final days in Australia quickly counting down I decided what better way to spend my last 5 days, on the east coast in Cairns anyway, slowly touring into the north lands and Cape Tribulation National Park in a Camper van.
While on Magnetic Island I met a girl from the Netherlands that also, like me, was tired of the people everywhere, tour buses, and ready made friends (that dominate the east coast) so with each of us, agreeing to half the cost of making our own tour, we set out from Cairns for the 4 day, "Brus Experience."
Our plan wasn't exactly a complicated or difficult one, "lets start driving north with no map and see where we end up.
Through the short time we had our little trip brought us through many small little towns, up north passed the crocodile infested Daintree river, and finally to the most northerly part of our journey Cape Tribulation. We took 2 days to arrive at the Cape but first stopping the first night in Port Douglas.
Port Douglas in one of the main little towns that people use as a kickoff to go on day trips out to the Great Barrier Reef. Because it isn't a main destination I was told that the companies that base themselves there also go to more secluded parts and to places where the reef hasn't seen the human damage as much as some boats and tours. The down side to this is more secluded and smaller groups also mean more money, but seeing as its one of the seven wonders of the world and I wanted to do three dives, I figured for a once in a lifetime thing a few extra dollars might make my experience one to never forget.
We set out on the high speed dive boat Aristocat and made the 12 km trip to the outer reef with barely enough time to have a latte and get briefed about the dives and dive sites for the day.
It didn't take long for me to realize the extra money was well spent because I found out, for the rest of the day, I was diving with three other people instead of the twenty or so you have on the cheaper boats.
Though I pretty much did all my dives back to back with barely enough time to do anything between switching tanks and jumping back in, we managed to dive three completely different areas on the reef including a deep self dive, a drift dive, and just a relaxing shallow dive to finish the day off.
When I think of diving the Great Barrier Reef in Australia two thing come to mind . . .amazing visibility and SHARKS!! Fortunately we were lucky to have both. The best visibility of the day was on the second dive when you could see roughly 30 meters, not the best I have ever seen but amazing none the less. It was also on this dive that we had the pleasure of being accompanied but two White Tipped Reef Sharks.
While on Magnetic Island I met a girl from the Netherlands that also, like me, was tired of the people everywhere, tour buses, and ready made friends (that dominate the east coast) so with each of us, agreeing to half the cost of making our own tour, we set out from Cairns for the 4 day, "Brus Experience."
Our plan wasn't exactly a complicated or difficult one, "lets start driving north with no map and see where we end up.
Through the short time we had our little trip brought us through many small little towns, up north passed the crocodile infested Daintree river, and finally to the most northerly part of our journey Cape Tribulation. We took 2 days to arrive at the Cape but first stopping the first night in Port Douglas.
Port Douglas in one of the main little towns that people use as a kickoff to go on day trips out to the Great Barrier Reef. Because it isn't a main destination I was told that the companies that base themselves there also go to more secluded parts and to places where the reef hasn't seen the human damage as much as some boats and tours. The down side to this is more secluded and smaller groups also mean more money, but seeing as its one of the seven wonders of the world and I wanted to do three dives, I figured for a once in a lifetime thing a few extra dollars might make my experience one to never forget.
We set out on the high speed dive boat Aristocat and made the 12 km trip to the outer reef with barely enough time to have a latte and get briefed about the dives and dive sites for the day.
It didn't take long for me to realize the extra money was well spent because I found out, for the rest of the day, I was diving with three other people instead of the twenty or so you have on the cheaper boats.
Though I pretty much did all my dives back to back with barely enough time to do anything between switching tanks and jumping back in, we managed to dive three completely different areas on the reef including a deep self dive, a drift dive, and just a relaxing shallow dive to finish the day off.
When I think of diving the Great Barrier Reef in Australia two thing come to mind . . .amazing visibility and SHARKS!! Fortunately we were lucky to have both. The best visibility of the day was on the second dive when you could see roughly 30 meters, not the best I have ever seen but amazing none the less. It was also on this dive that we had the pleasure of being accompanied but two White Tipped Reef Sharks.
All in all the day was amazing and my trip and dives on, "The Great Barrier Reef," lived up to all the hype you hear all over the world.
After our long day on the water we finished our drive up to Cape Tribulation where we stayed the next two nights before I had to make my way back to Cairns to catch my flight to Perth.
The night we arrived at the Cape was the first night we actually stayed in a proper campground because, after sleeping on random roads and hiding in residential areas , we needed power to recharge our cameras and most importantly, Ipods. After our day of luxury with power and showers we found a little river and a rocky beach to call home for the last night of our trip. After an early start on Wednesday we managed to return to Cairns, pack our things, and return the van with time to spare for me to catch my flight.
The trip was a great way to finish and now I can leave the east coast with nothing but great memories, new friends, oh ya, and a seat belt ticket!!
"The AristoCat"
"Free Campsites Are much Better Than Real Ones"
"Just An Afternoon Dip"
"One Of The Many Lookouts Outside Of Cairns"
2 comments:
A seat belt ticket?! that will learn ya, safety first! Happy to hear your are utilizing your time in Australia. There is so much to experience and see! as always take care, and talk to you real soon..
hey bru, the boys here on the US crew we're reading your blog and all have one question...."are u getting laid or what?"
the reef sounds cool dude, when are you back in canada?
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