Monday 28th June

Great day but long we started at 7am and finished at 6.30pm.We didn't need the quells it was quite calm and the temp. was 27 with sunshine all day. I thought I might have caught the sun.It's all right I don't expect sympathy but I can't help rubbing it in a bit like the sun cream I used. Sorry!

We opted for the Franklin Islands cruise because they take you to an uninhabited island for the day which means the boat anchored off shore and we were ferried to the beach. The only things there are some picnic tables where we had our tropical buffet lunch.Everything including the canopy for over the tables has to be taken to the island and nothing can be left except footprints. The downside of the pristine place is no toilets which means you have to ask to be ferried back to the boat if nature calls. We went out in a semi submersible boat.. We saw beautiful coloured coral and many small fish.We also did a walk with a marine biologist along the rock pools which was interesting but the most exciting part was (pause for drum roll) snorkelling off the beach.

Snorkelling at the Barrier Reef has been high on our wish list and apart from feeling stupid in wet suits (see photos) we loved it.We swam hanging on to a square of plastic tubes pulled along by one of the crew and using our snorkels we saw lovely coral, small fish and a turtle which actually joined us on the surface for a swim.Magic. It was hard work and I doubt we will do it again but it was a once in a lifetime opportunity which couldn't be missed even though we were very nervous.

Tomorrow we have booked to go to Kuranda going up the mountain by train and coming down by skyrail.