HI everyone! Sorry its been a while since I last updated my travel journal. I have been working flat out to save save save for my mum coming out from the UK. Finally mum came out last week, arriving in Sydney last Thursday. She seemed a bit tired by the journey although I'd sorted out a lovely stopover in Dubai for her, so at least she was a bit rested. Apparantly, getting on the plane with my best friend (my laptop) has caused her no end of grief, but she managed to get it here so I am well set up in my apartment now, with broadband so expect more emails and updates from now on.

So, the other day we flew up to Cairns to go on a snorkelling trip on the Great Barrier Reef. I have never been snorkelling, as even though I had the option in Thailand, I sort of avoided the sea after the jellyfish incident. Anyway, we climbed aboard the 'Sunkist' speedboat for the 2 hour journey to the Reef. It was fairly choppy so needless to say my sea sickness kicked in after one hour and by the time we boarded the 'Kangaroo Explorer' boat that we would be living on for 2 days, I was ready to pass out! I had a lie down and then we went off for a snorkel, looking very sexy in a stinger suit, mask and flippers!!!!

The current was very strong but we managed a good snorkel and saw a green turtle eating a jellyfish (didn't know they did that). The reef is totally amazing and when you swim over it, it is really hard not to touch it as it is so close to the surface. The colours are fantastic and totally like what you see in photos. Although my fish identification skills are zero I saw some amazing fish. Everything came so close and just swam over, under or round us, just like we were part of the ocean.

We then moved onto a second snorkel site but after being in the water for five minutes and swimming our hardest but only managing to move backwards we decided that the current was too strong to snorkel. So we rested up and tried to get over the sea sickness, the weather was gorgeous so we sat on the sun deck, taking in the rays in the middle of the great barrier reef with a cold beer! A very unique experience.

We were sleeping on the boat overnight, which at first seemed a good idea (when I was on dry land in Sydney!) but having tried to reach the toilet and been swung across the room, against a wall and into the shower, before finally managing to sit on the toilet (I have to add with mum lying there, splitting her sides watching me fall all over like a drunk person, although for once I must make it clear I was actually sober), I realised that a night on the ocean may not be that great...............

10.30pm - after a couple of beers with some fellow travellers off to bed

02.00am - really thought boat was going to capsize

02.10am - everything falling around room, including myself

02.15am - head hits the wall, then feet hit the wall, head hits the wall, then feet hit the wall...................

From all accounts in the morning no one got any sleep after 2am. By 7am several people had brought up breakfast and were planning to leave a day early. Myself and mum were to leave in the afternoon and I was glad to be getting off. I had puked several times and was feeling pretty awful, I've always had motion sickness and being on / in the sea for 48 hours was too much for me and as everyone knows I am awful in the mornings anyway!

We had a two hour speedboat ride back to Cairns, which I was dreading. We got off soaked but laughing, it had been very scary in parts, the ocean certainly wasn't happy but we were back on dry land.

We met up with Jeanette that evening, a lovely Swedish girl who we had met whilst on board the Kangaroo Explorer. We had helped each other through our sea sickness and had some great chats too. After a lovely meal, we all had an early night. Mum and I flew back to Sydney this afternoon and as I type this I am still swaying as my body still thinks I am on the boat!

Despite the sea sickness, I had a fantastic time, what an experience! I would definately go back as I'd like to do more snorkelling and see more of the reef. I would recommend that for people with sea sickness to just do the day trips to the reef, as the liveaboard trips may be too much - but whatever you must go!

Well, off to bed now as myself and mum are going to the Opera House tomorrow to see 'La Traviata' - want to get my beauty sleep so I can get all glammed up in my new outfit!!!!!

Lots of love,

Maria x