1770 - AGNES WATER - LADY MUSGRAVE ISLAND

Our 'next door neighbour' at 1770 campground asked as not to tell anyone about this very well kept secret! Prime position, right on the river inlet, calm flat water for the kids, (and big kids), sandy beachs, awesome for swimming, kayaking or just simply relaxing over looking the Point and the sea. Obviously our Aussie history ain't that great, cos we didn't even know 1770 existed. Sure Captain Cook landed...somewhere!
They had been coming to this spot for 30yrs, back when it was a dirt road and you had to bring your own fresh water. A place that still had that, open trust environment where you felt compelled to leave everything unlocked and unguarded. The ambiance encouraged that safe, community behavior from a time when locking your car or home was never even considered as a necessity. Kids zipped around on their bikes, scooters and rip boards without that constant undertone of parents projecting fear for their safety or whereabouts. They paddled in the water, broke out a Lilo or two to 'catch some waves' and genuinely made their own fun as kids used to do. Not a DS, DVD, or electrical equivalent in sight!!! It was so lovely to watch these kids, being kids.
We walked everyday, swam at Anges Waters beach, and met a few of the locals up on the point who owned a 'room with a view', two views actually, 360 degrees of sunrise to sunset, wow!!!!
We took a 90min cruise out to Lady Musgrave Island, the southern end of Great Barrier Reef.
We had 3hrs snorkeling, Paige's first experience. I ended up with water in my mask every time I excitedly and frantically tried to signal to Kerry, pointing to another spectacular luminous fish or pulsing clam. Seriously, if you saw these spectacular fish, you would never desire to eat seafood again. How could you possibly destroy something so beautiful and majestic just to eat it. The irony being that a number of those who snorkeled and admired the array of creation in the lagoon with us, went fishing in the afternoon...humans can be so illogical.

For me the most breathtaking experience by far, was the joy that filled my heart when we found a huge sea turtle camouflaged and nestled within the coral. He took us on a lap around his part of the reef, swimming a metre away from this gorgeous, serene turtle as he glided through the water with such grace and guided us in and around intricate coral formations. Rising with him to the surface for a breath, then diving once again continuing on with his tour! Words cannot describe, I will sat though that it is very hard to cry when you have a mask and snorkel in place let me tell you, but I managed it! It felt like time stood still, such peace as I have never experienced, a feeling and memory I'll carry with me forever. It was so worth throwing up on the way out to the lagoon!!!