Blimey. . . . I have just been out to the Great Barrier Reef. . . . . And get this Matt and Butch. . . I am a diver! How awesome is that?

That’s right people, I did my first dive the other day followed by 2 more! I think they may have created a monster, I absolutely loved it. . . . Really thought of my dad when snorkeling and diving the Great Barrier Reef! He would love it. . . . And I don’t care what it takes I have got to get him out there!

So, yeah 4 days ago I headed down to the harbour to get on my home for the next 3 nights, the fantastic Maxi yacht ‘Spank Me’. . . . There were 4 crew, the captain Aaron, his first mate Adam (cool dude), the dive instructor and helping hand Tom (again, cool dude) and Liz, the hostess. . . . They were all really friendly and chilled out and made us all feel very welcome!

The boat can hold up to 28 people, but due to the threat of cyclones it was only half full, so there was only 14 of us. . . . With loads of room, it was great. . . . I actually got a sort of double bed! However, I slept on deck 2 nights!

The gang were a bit of a mix, as ever, mostly English, but still good fun, not too crazy, but coolio. . . There were a nice pair of lads from York (Boney – Leed Leeds Leeds!), 2 English girls from London and 2 from Warwickshire and a girl from Edinburgh. There were 2 Dutch girls, 2 American lads and a French Canadian girl, a German guy and of course little old me!

So we headed of out of the bay after some short briefings and paperwork and that was it, we were off. . . . Awesome. . . With it being an old Maxi racing yacht (not that old), you get to do all the work putting the sails up and down with the hand pedal things. . . . I can’t stop smiling writing this as I have had such a cool time! The route that we were going to do wasn’t exactly planned as we were governed on the weather, etc. . .

We got to the first stop, which was where we were staying for the night and jumped in for a swim, unfortunately we had to wear stinger suits, which are like thin wet suits, to help stop jellyfish stings. . . . ! Don’t worry Chel I didn’t get stung!

So we had a swim did a bit of snorkeling and I saw some of the biggest fish I have ever seen up close and personal. . . We then had some food and beers and chilled for the night listening to music and chatting and basically getting to know each other, as you do! I slept in my bunk on the first night, but found it very hot. . . I got up really early, about 5ish and got up on deck and chilled before everyone else got up.

We had brekky then headed off to one of the other islands (Hook Island) and this is where I did my first introductory dive. . . . You have to do certain tasks in and out the water before you can go and also to see if you can cope. . . . I was awesome as you can imagine. . . And then that was it, we were off, I was diving with the fishy’s! What a great experience, I was buzzing for hours afterwards! We did some more sailing after lunch and out to our next spot for the night. . . A bite to eat and a few more beers (well I actually bought a box of wine – trying to be posh on the boat and all!). So yeah, a few drinks, some food and then chattin again! I decided to sleep on deck for the second night, but at just before 5am it started to rain, so had to head to my bunk pretty quick!

The continued for about 3 hours, so it was doubtful that we would get out to the GBR, but out at sea it looked clear and after some thought and a quick weather report we were off, sails up and heading the 2 or so hours and 17 miles out to sea. . . . . The GBR is 1600km long and stretches from (I think) Bundaberg to Papa New Guinea. We got to one of the markers at a place called the stepping stones and I got in the water as quick as I could and went snorkeling for an hour before chilling on the boat before my dive. . . . .

Aaaarrrrrrr. . . . . I cannot explain how beautiful it is, even at this time of the years as visibility isn’t as good as it could be! But the fish, the coral, everything was awesome. . . . The dive went really well, I was under for about 40 mins and it was breath taking! I think you can probably tell from my writing that I am excited about it?!?!? I wanted to do another dive after lunch, but there were no other non certified people that wanted to, so they said they didn’t have time. . . . .To say I was gutted would be an understatement! I was however told that I could dive in the morning at a place called the “Aquarium” off the Hook Island. Happy again!

We headed back to said place a dropped anchor for the night, did the usual, eat and drink and chat and I got hold of the tunes and played DJ for a bit. . . . . !

Slept on deck again and slept like a log. . . . . Adam kicked me at 7am to get me off the sail at the front of the boat, a cup of coffee and quick dip later I was ready for my next dive. . . . .

Wow! Awesome. . . .I think I have said that a few times. . . . We swam through something called the maze and dropped down through little caves just big enough to get through, good job I have lost a bit of weight or I may have not got through. . . . The fish were fantastic, as we got to a place and fed them some bread. . . . It was crazy as they went nuts. . . . .

Not sure I have told you what I have seen. . . . ? The best things would be obviously loads and loads of beautiful coloured fish, huge ones, small ones, etc. Plus, get this. . . . . A shark, a turtle, lots of Barracuda. . . Oh, the list goes on and on. . . . It was awesome!

After the dive I did some more snorkeling before we headed back to Airlie Beach. . . . After trips you always have a party, but I was gonna miss it, cus I was due to head out of Airlie on the bus at 6.30pm. . . . Not wanting to miss a party, I phoned Greyhound and rearranged a few things and hey, guess what? I am still here. . . . It’s party time later and I am the special guest. . . hahahaha!

So, gonna shoot off now and get showered and stuff and let you know how the party went tomorrow. . . . Ciao people. . . . !