Cape Tribulation and The Great Barrier Reef

25th April 2009

There wasn't an immense amount to do up in the tropics, so we drove around and did a few walking trails which lead across boardwalks through dense mangroves which were fascinating.

We checked out the two hostels in the area and decided against the one plagued by enormous stripy spiders, instead, opting for the one full of debauched teenagers. In my opinion, the lesser of two evils. Turns out I'm a massive arachnophobe..Kat not so much.

It's low season and many of the small bars and restaurants which are hidden up in the area of Cape Trib where we are staying were closed. We found ourselves spending unhealthy amounts of time in the tiny grocery shop next to the hostel perusing the tinned food aisle time after time, to the extent that the poor guy working there is convinced we have some kind of disorder. He keeps smiling sweetly though, as the two crazies make their 10th visit of the morning.

My shredded hand is sticking it's self back together quite nicely so we decided to book a snorkeling trip to the Great Barrier Reef for the next day. 

We got chartered out to a small area called Mackay Reef with a few other people. The weather looked promising and the early afternoon sun soon revealed a horde of delights beneath the surface. Turtles, giant clams and parrot fish galore!

I went armed with one latex glove and a roll of masking tape and snorkeled until I turned into a one handed prune.

Very good day indeed. 

(Above Pictures from top to bottom: Mangroves in Cape Trib and Mackay Reef)