I am just recovering from the best three days of my life...

Al and I spent the weekend on Heron Island which is about 60km off the east coast of Queensland and part of the Great Barrier Reef national marine park. The Island was breathtakingly beautiful, the resort was the most luxurious place I've ever stayed and they put on the most delicious buffets at meal times!!! I've sure we've both gained a stone in weight from the amount of food we ate, but we had to get our moneys worth!!!!

But the best part was the snorkling, we swan with Reef Sharks, Shovelnose Rays and best of all...Logerhead Turtles!!!!!!!! It was breeding, laying and Hatching time for the turtles of the Great Barrier Reef so between sunset and sunrise there were turtles everywhere. On Sunday morning we got up to watch the sunrise and about 10 turtles were just making there way back to the sea, so we went out and swam with them, it was amazing to be able to see them struggle to move on land then just glide through the water despite their massive size!! Unfortunately we didn't see any baby turtles in the evening but we did see their tracks in the sand, which was enough for me. Although they generally return to the water during the day some turtle hung around for a morning snooze on the sand before setting off, and some were still digging or filling in there holes for egg laying, so i got a very cool video of a logerhead turtle flicking sand to cover her eggs, its such hard work for them they are really amazing creatures. As well as the big things swimming around the island there was also lots of really cool little fish too, all brightly coloured and hiding in the reef! We also took a boat trip just off the island to snorkle in some deeper water and I have to underwater scenes i saw there locked away in my memory so that i never forget the amazing sights. I could try and describe what i saw but i wouldnt do it justice, but i fully understand why the great barrier reef is classed as one of the great natural wonders of the world...

We did take an underwater camera out onto the reef but we're yet to discover if the pictures have turned out, but fingers crossed they'll be on the website soon, but for now enjoy the island pictures and think about taking a trip to the great barrier reef...it is utterly amazing.

ps. check out www.heronisland.com

pps. be warned you will be very jealous if you check out the above address!!