Today is more my bag.  I join a large sailing catamaran to head out to the reef.  I’m not a diver, but I am looking forward to snorkelling.  We are issued with ‘stinger suits’, inelegant, full body, black neoprene suits with hoods and mittens.  It’s ‘stinger season’ here.  I meet a lovely family from Bristol and we buddy-up for the day.  We are not inclined to join the backpackers on the trampoline in their skimpy swimwear, desperate to soak up the sun.  We are wiser than that.

Waterproof camera in hand, it’s into the crystal clear, bath-water-warm sea.  Under the surface there is a mixture of healthy and unhealthy coral.  Global warming has had a hand, but of the healthy stuff, the colours and shapes are fabulous.  I love the deep blue corals.  Giant clams, starfish and blue and white spotted rays are highlights alongside the stars of the show, the fish.  We don’t find ’Nemo’, but a lot of his mates are down here and I snap away with the camera hoping a shot will come out half decent.  These fishy fellows move quite fast!  There are so many we’re pushing them aside as we swim.  It’s like a party in a tropical fish shop.  Once I’d tamed the rather well used snorkel gear, I did not want to get out.

After a huge lunch we move to Michaelmas Cay, a small, protected sand island.  A white blob in a turquoise sea.  I love it !  Swimming to the shore we tick off more new sights including a very close encounter with a reef shark.  Not long after I’m slapped in the face by a passing jellyfish, which smarts.  I seek advice and am reassured to know I’m fine.  ‘You’re not screaming in agony, so you’re OK’ was perfectly comforting.  Later I discover more about the ‘stingers’ (i.e. the nasty ones) – ‘box’ jellyfish and ‘irukandji’.  Both are transparent so you are unlikely to see them.  It seems the latter is only 1cm by 1cm when mature but has tentacles up to 1metre long !  So the smallest jellyfish in the world is also one of the most venomous.  Several deaths have occurred in Australia from these beasties.  I now look on that stinger suit with affection. 

On the cay, a small area is fenced off for humans; the rest is a mass of terns, boobies and noddies.  I love it.  Hundreds and hundreds of birds.  The air is thick with them.  I reckon Alfred Hitchcock knew about this place.

Back aboard the batfish come alongside, knowing they will get a titbit.  In such clear water, we get a good view of them as they chase fishy morsels.  Returning to Cairns at the end of the afternoon, I look over the side and straight into the face of a dolphin, swimming with us.  Seconds later the crew spot him and his dolphin pals and the cry goes up to all.  But I had my little moment…

Returning to the hotel, that lovely pool is not quite the same !