Port Douglas - March 5

What is the only living entity that can easily be seen from outer space? The Great Barrier Reef - consisting of living coral - it stretches 2,300 km along the coast of Australia. (Coral is an animal - or at least lots of little animals.) The reef is actually a maze of 2,900 reef systems. We are in Port Douglas this morning to allow those who wish to have close access to the reef and its ecology.

View of the Coral

Captain Cook explored this area in 1770, and afterward made several voyages here. We came through one of the gaps in the reef he found.. At sea level, one can see the sea breaking as one approaches the reef, but still be over 100 miles from the actual coast of Australia - thanks to the continental shelf. We sailed through Whitsunday strait, by Whitsunday Island, both named by Captain Cook. Through an error in their timekeeping, the island was actually discovered and named on a Monday - still a remarkable accomplishment. Many of the islands and bodies of water were named by Cook, and the names remain to this day.

Catamaran

Port Douglas is now considered an upscale resort - with a few nice hotels. It prospered briefly during the gold rush. The ship cannot dock - so we are tendered to shore, using the ship’s lifeboats. From here we board a catamaran for the hour and a half ride (75 Km) to a floating platform where we will spend the day. We arrive at Agincourt reef and the ribbon reefs at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. The day is clear, sea calm, and the temperature is about 90 degrees.







Sumner in Lycra

There are about 350 of us from the ship that make the trip. The floating platform is two levels, with underwater viewing platforms, areas for snorkeling, docks for semi-submersible craft for additional viewing, and a helicopter for those who want an aerial view. After some hesitation, Sumner decided to try snorkeling. The equipment was provided by the company that took us to the reef. Lycra suits were available - which not only protect from the sun, but provide some protection against jelly fish. (Some can be serious enough to require hospitalization.) Sumner puttered around looking at the various kinds of coral (staghorn, brain, mushroom, plate) and the various kinds of colorful fish (think of Nemo) that live within the coral. Jean did a little wading and sitting in the water. We took the semi-submersible ride to see other areas of coral, and had a lunch, provided on the raft.

Puttering at the Reef

We returned to the ship in the late afternoon. We are continuing through the Great Barrier Reef - following routes that were originally established for sailing ships. Captain Bligh (after the events of Mutiny on the Bounty) sailed through this area in the ship’s launch, and eventually reached land. He became a governor of the penal colony in Australia some years later. In five more days we will reach our next port in Borneo.

Queen Elizabeth

We have been joined by many Australians, who boarded in Sidney, and in Queensland. Many will go as far as Hong Kong, and then exit the ship. The ship’s population is younger and more animated.