Lady Elliot Island, Great Barrier Reef
November 2, 2017
Lady Elliot Island, Great Barrier Reef
Internet access is limited here and expensive so this one post goes to all. Wish I could send pictures. I will try to show view I wake up to each morning. Then I'll send more if I ever go back to the mainland. This place is amazing. On the far southern end of Great Barrier Reef. It is actually a coral cay, not an island. Can walk off the beach and snorkel. Yesterday a back tip reef shark about 8 feet long swam past me. I could have touched him if I hadn't been frozen in panic. We see every kind of fish imaginable. The Picasso fish is my favorite. I could do without thousands of sea cucumbers.
Took a boat out yesterday to go in deeper water. Lots of green turtles and we saw two manta rays. Been snorkeling with a great couple from Brisbane since I am not keen on doing deep water alone.
Saw starfish, sea urchin, all kinds of coral, Nemo and Dory and all their friends and relatives. Swam through a swarm of jelly fish, thankfully not the kind that sting. Marine biologists do different lectures everyday and do guided reef walks during low tide.
In additional to that it is nesting season for the birds. Zillions of nests, eggs, babies of at least three different species. It is also turtle nesting season and they do a walk at night to look for turtles laying eggs.
This is a real eco resort with 90% of power coming from solar and they have water desalination facility. Very strict rules about environment. Last night there were 100 guests ( that is full) from 23 different countries. Oh, almost forgot, the food is very good. Only one phone, no tv or radio, internet about 4 hours a day from one spot on island. Had to leave my luggage in Harvey Bay. Only allowed a backpack because plane has to carry supplies in addition to 12 people.
Time for my morning circumnavigation of island. I think that is the right word for walking all the way around. If today is as good as yesterday I may apply for a job. REALLY wish I had an underwater camera. Next time.