25,568 and Counting
Day 7 - Saturday, Dec 27 – The Big Day
This was the day we were to experience one of the big highlights of our trip - an overnight stay on a floating pontoon/hotel on the Great Barrier Reef. We started our day with breakfast and the short half-mile walk to the Marina to pick up our boat that would take us to the reef. The boat was quite large and capable of holding 250 people. Most of the people were doing a day trip out to the reef, but there were 27 of us who planned to spend the night on the pontoon. It was a 2-hour boat ride that started with navigating through the channels of the Whitsundays islands, of which Hamilton Island is one. The waters were very calm, and it was a scenic cruise, albeit under very cloudy skies (did I mention it's the rainy season here?). When we got to the open waters of the Pacific Ocean, the waters were a little rougher, but nothing that we couldn't handle. In true traditional English fashion, we were served morning tea.
We arrived at the very large pontoon at 11AM. It is 160x40 feet (47x13 meters for those who use more sophisticated and logical units) and has two levels. They served us lunch on the boat, and then we disembarked and stepped onto the pontoon. We were shown to lockers where we could put our overnight bags in a special area – the top half of the ponton that was for ReefStay patrons. Barry, Evan, and Carter signed up for a scuba adventure (Gordon and Ruby were too young to participate, much to Ruby’s chagrin). Steve and Monica planned to take Gordon and Ruby snorkeling. We all got on our wet suits because it was stinger season - apparently, there are rare occasions when there are jellyfish or other sea creatures in the area that can inflict a painful sting. [Note: We did not see or experience any such dangers.]
The weather was warm (83F or 28C), and it was overcast. That was a blessing in that we could not imagine being out on the water all day with the sub beating down on us. The water was 85F or 29C and quite calm due to the extensive reef and the location of the pontoon within an area surrounded by the reef (known as Hardy Reef).
With the older boys off to scuba, Monica and Steve led the younger kids down the steps off the side of the pontoon to the snorkeling platform. We put on our flippers and our masks. Gordon and Ruby had never been snorkeling before, so grandpa was ready to give Ruby some instruction. “OK, Ruby, first …” Too late … the courageous and adventurous Ruby dove right in! The next 45 to 60 minutes was an experience that is hard to describe other than to say we were in Nature’s aquarium. The water was very clear, and it was easy to see many, many, many fish of all sizes in decorative colors as well as coral of many shapes and colors. There were times when we were snorkeling and a school of many hundreds of small fish would swim right by us and around us! It is difficult to describe how that feels other than “awe” or “exhilaration.”
After several rounds of snorkeling, we also took the boat ride on a separate vessel with a ‘submarine” portion of the boat that had lots of seats and glass windows. It was another view of the reef with narration and commentary about the various species of fish.
At 3:00 PM, the day-trip crowd boarded the boat to go back to Hamilton island, and there were 27 of us left for the overnight stay on the pontoon. It was a much more casual and comfortable environment since there were plenty of chairs, tables, and lounge chairs for relaxation. There was a wonderful trio of young ladies - Amy, Amy, and Jo - who were wandering around making sure our food and drink needs were satisfied. There were also showers and comfortable bathrooms for us to use.
The winds picked up and were blowing 25 to 30 mph. Although the waters became rougher, the pontoon was quite stable and, thankfully, did not roll with the waves. There was also a steady light rain that continued throughout most of the afternoon and evening. However, there were plenty of protected areas on the pontoon, so we were able to sit outside with our drinks. [Note: You can see in the picture below the beds that were covered with waterproof “hoods” that were tent-like. Here is another picture when the rain stopped on the next day so you can see how we slept on the pontoon when we weren’t totally covered up.]
We were called to dinner at 6:45 into the enclosed/covered
dining area (thankfully because the wind was really blowing hard). The chef
served a wonderful steak dinner with roasted potatoes and leafy green salad.
The wine was also very good.
For dessert (drum roll, please), my daughter arranged for a birthday celebration that included a delicious chocolate cake with a blazing sparkler. The guests all sang Happy Birthday, and I got lots of well-wishes. Everyone got their chocolate dessert with a luscious deep red raspberry sorbet. It was excellent. At our end of the table, dinner ended with me getting birthday cards and best wishes from Debbie as well as all my kids and grandkids, including the ones back in Indiana (thanks to Monica for packing those for me). It will be a long-cherished memory (although I must say, I missed not being with the rest of my family for hugs and kisses).
After dinner, we went below deck to an observation room with
a big glass wall. With the lighting from the ship, many, many fish were
attracted to the boat and we could see this giant aquarium right before our
eyes.
It was time for bed after a full day of swimming/snorkeling. Unfortunately, the rain continued and so our beds were covered with a waterproof tent that was a pretty tight enclosure over the bed. The idyllic dream of sleeping on deck under the stars on a warm summer night with a mild Pacific breeze wafting over us … well, we were enclosed under a cover with the pitter-patter of rain dancing on the tent/cover. The beds were comfortable, but the covering made the air a little stuffy. However, a small fan accompanied each tent/bed. Beds slept two people so the six Helfrichs paired up and grandpa got his own bed.
Light out!
Comments
Post a Comment