We were both incredibly excited at the propect of going to the one and only Great Barrier Reef. Tania and I have both wanted to visit the Reef for most of our adult lives, so to be able to tick another life ambition off the bucket list is always an incredible feeling. Although excited, we had naturally, thought of all the potential hazards that awaited us yonder in the deep blue. The potential for shark attacks, jellyfish uprisings and being left in the reef due to being distracted by the fish were all potential threats we had thoroughly considered.

We coated ourselves in layers of sunscreen and head down in a taxi to the marina to board the boat which Quicksilver were running out to the Agincourt Reefs. What awaited us at the Marina was our worst nightmare. Kids running aroun screaming at the tops of their lungs, asians resembling eskimos, dressed in weatherproof jackets and masks to avoid getting a tan and the oldies who have long ago done away with social etiquette, pushing and shoving to get on board. I felt like I was at the Vic market on a Saturday when the butchers are selling off the last of their supplies. Luckily, once on board most of the crowds ironically avoided the sun and water, so Tania and I found ourselves having the best of both worlds. We moved around the back deck as our poor judgement on what we thought would be the best position to sit in continued to get the better of us. We were on the receiving end of a consistent spray of water from the sides of the boat and had to endure an awful rocking motion that could turn stomachs of steel. Fortunately, we had overpacked as mentioned previously, so our pharmaceutical supplies were on hand to help with the nausea. We narrowly esacped the clutches of projectile vomiting, whilst others were not so lucky. As we moved inside the cabin to witness adults and children reaching for paper bags with boat staff running to and fro handing out ice and face washers to the chuckers. I must have looked touch and go for a moment as I closed my eyes and suddenly hear in my ear "Are you ok?", I open my eyes to find a kid called Max anticipating my next move with his latex gloves and paper bag. "Im right mate relax", I tell him as he resumes his post as master of spew.

Once we got to the reef, we could not contain our excitement. We hit the water as soon as we could, dressed in our wetsuits, snorkles and flippers. The water was icy and circulation was lost to your peripheries a few minutes into the swim, however once you spotted that coral, I dont think you would have minded momentarily if a limb dropped off. It was that incredible to see in real life. No photo or video on my Go Pro could ever do justice what my eyes had the privelage of beholding. Mountains and valleys of coral, so complex, that swimming past the same anemine 10 times over, you would continue to see different aspects every time. The fish incredible. From schools of fish, to loners happily plodding along from coral to coral, the entire experience was seriously a feast for the eyes. We swallowed our weight in sea water each, as we fought rough tides and attepted to avoid crashing into coral or kicking the marine life (this may be a discreet reference to the time I kicked a turtle in byron bay by accident). We emerged from our hour and a half long snorkelling expedition famished, dehydrated and with sunburnt foreheads but so exhilerated from what we had seen underwater. After lunch Tania jumped on the submarine whilst I headed out for a last snorkel solo. I didnt last long this time, but this expedition was worthwhile as I spotted a school of squid (I contemplated the viability of catching one for sashimi and decided the logistics were too complicated) and a Queensland Groper in the distance who looked like he weighed over 50 kilos at least!

The trip on the way back although was faster, was significantly rockier than the trip out to the reef. The wind had also picked up which led to an unintentional peep show, as my caftan blew up infront of several other guests onboard the boat. Someone who had a good view of the show was the 70 year old who was sitting next to me, putting away VB's like they were going out of fashion. "I'll give you $1 for the show" he tells me as I return to my seat. Good god.

Dinner this evening was at Seam Beam for some incredible tapas. Highlights of the night definitely included the crocodile croquetas, fig and manchego cheese and creme catalan in half a coconut. Two carafs of Sangria was also put away by Tania and I all too easily. So much for not over feeding ourselves!