Cat Tales: Miscellany and Mischief

Day 12: The Great Barrier Reef

30DBC December 12 Prompt: Cairns is known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, so we've got an earlier start today since we're going on the Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour. It starts at 7:30, which means we're leaving our hotel around 7, but don't worry about breakfast, as we'll get breakfast and lunch onboard the ship. Tonight we'll fly down to Brisbane, where we're staying in the Meriton Apartment Hotels!

I wake up early, even though we had to get up early to begin with. I'm super stoked about visiting the world famous Great Barrier Reef! I hurriedly pack my things and sit waiting for the others to get ready. I don't drink any coffee--I'm too excited, and the caffeine will aggravate my nerves. I'll wait until we're on board the ship to do that.

We all pile into the car, some of us sleepy, others chatting excitedly. I join in the conversation for once, and the half-hour trip to the ship passes by fast. We all come on board and get breakfast. I finally get some precious coffee, as my early waking is starting to take its toll.

Shortly after breakfast (after we've had a chance to digest our food), we're suited up for snorkeling. The early morning sun sparkles on the water, illuminating the clear turquoise sea--and the reef beneath it--like a massive crystal. The sight takes my breath away, and I gaze, transfixed, until a tour guide tugs on my arm and forces me to put on my snorkeling mask. "You want to go see it up close? You've got to put this on."

The tour is nothing less than magical. Colorful fish dart around bright splashes of coral and anemone. The water couldn't be more beautifully clear if it were made of glass. I stop to watch a clownfish poking its head tentatively out from its anemone home until Dragon is hiding yanks my arm to get my attention. What I see is absolutely amazing--a green sea turtle is nosing its way along the reef, almost close enough to touch! I nearly let go my snorkel in my excitement.

After we swim back to the boat, my stomach is already growling again. We've worked up quite the appetite from swimming around--and I've accumulated a nice sunburn. We sit in the shade and enjoy a light but filling lunch, and I enjoy a glass of lemonade and watch the midday sun light the surface of the water like liquid fire.

Back at the hotel, I slather on the aloe and lay on my stomach on the bed to let the burns get some air. Apondia remarks that my arms are starting to blister, but at this moment, with the A/C running full blast and my washed hair perfuming my pillow, I am at peace. I sleep until it's time to pack up and head down to the lobby for supper. We eat fairly quickly and then pile into the shuttle to go back to the airport and catch our flight for Brisbane.

AlyCatAuthor