Cairns Australia - Great Barrier Reef

When we booked this around the world trip - we knew we had a zillion stops in Australia. I was most excited for Sydney as I had hoped to see my childhood friend Jono Harris but he had to cancel so that was a bummer. But what I was figuring out in all our Polynesian stops was how much I loved snorkeling. I finally figured out that to swim in the Barrier Reef - Cairns Australia would bring us closest to that.

The problem was timing - it was beyond annoying that MSC Cruises was only stopping there for the day - 8am to 5:30pm. And apparently they do this on purpose so you cannot take a private tour or non MSC tour and are cornered into using them for a swim in the Reef. But as we all know - never throw a challenge in my face. I searched, emailed, whatsapped and carrier pigeoned to every boating company and tour guide company I could find and found ONE that left at 10:30am and returned at 5:15pm and with fingers crossed and a shitload of running we could make the 5:30pm all aboard time.

I checked with our "travel group" and they agreed so we booked with a company called Great Adventures which would take us about 45 minutes away to Green Island Resort where we could snorkel, have lunch and make it back to the ship in time. Green Island Resort is an eco resort on the Great Barrier Reef and unfortunately we couldn't stay overnight but were able to go just for the day!

The 10:30am departure time was also perfect as we wouldn't have to get up at the crack of ass.

The only thing I wanted to find was a camera bag for my phone because I was determined to get video footage while swimming and found one at the port shop when we disembarked.

We all got on the ferry to Green Island where they offered a beginners scuba tour for anyone who might be interested - 4 of our group including Andre, Erik, Lisa and her husband Jim wanted to try it. They'd have to do a short "pool test" and would be with two professional divers but they'd get a chance to scuba. Colette, Chris, Karen and I opted for our snorkeling trip. But included in our ticket to the Island was also a glass bottom boat tour which we'd do immediately when we arrived and before the group went to scuba school.

The glass bottom boat was incredible and it was so clear so I could see straight to the bottom which wasn't very deep. The coral was gorgeous, fish were everywhere and all kinds and shapes and colors. One Massive fish loved to follow the boat and swam pretty much with us the entire trip. We watched fishes jump out of the water as they got fed by our boat captain. It was about 30 minutes but it was really special to see right below us what we would see in the water swimming.

After a quick lunch we watched the crew of scuba divers get into their very tight scuba suits, Andre found it comfortable enough to perform an "interpretive dance" in his and he and Erik looked like a twin set of all black sperms or members of the blue man group... We followed them to the pool as they learnt how to breathe through their tanks etc and once Colette and I decided they weren't gonna die - we left them for the beach.

I was so happy I got my phone bag as the very first thing I saw was the most incredible stingray swim right by me. Colette got a sea turtle and it was just beyond words. I must have swam for 2-3 hours seeing so many types of fish and figuring out how best to use my camera underwater with some hit and misses. Like I thought it was on and I was taping a school of fish swimming in the thousands in a circle only to learn I had taped my feet.

Exhausted but ecstatic and the sun starting to come down and it was getting close to returning boat time we made our way back to the middle of the resort to find the scuba crew back and showering off. They had an amazing time. I guess the guide had to "hold up" two of the group so Erik was getting dragged to the bottom and Dre was in the middle in his element. They were able to purchase a USB drive of their trip - holding a sign underwater and all. Dre took to it like a fish and wants to pursue getting his scuba license.

As we waited in line for the return boat we saw a turtle in the water almost like a "thanks for coming" sign and was a quick reminder as we left this little paradise we were so grateful to be able to see on this trip.

The boat ride back we were ALL exhausted but had the very best day. It was worth risking the times and we made it back with time to spare. I am so glad I didn't give up and just do the stupid boat tour offered by the cruise line but stepped out of the box with Samantha Tours and "winged it" with this trip to Green Island.

We SWAM IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF!!!!! I mean how many people can say that. We loved every second of it and for once my video footage was taken by me underwater! Bucket list box checked BIG TIME!

Next stop Darwin, Australia - and our last in Australia!