Archive for September 2003

As planned I spent the morning fishing; only with a hand reel so I didn’t catch anything, plus I came back early as I started to feel worse. I got up feeling off colour but as the day progressed I turned into vomiting and then into quite violent vomiting. Good thing was this was a day off, the bad thing I had a two-day tour of Fraser Island so I had a choice cancel or take my changes. As I had a lousy nights sleep the previous (from Rocky) night I took the chance.

I arrived in Hervey bay after a night’s of fitful sleep on the Greyhound; however I can’t complain as I’m out of Rockhampton. So in Hervey bay and I spot Claire, who had been on the same trip to Blue Pearl Bay, plus a German girl who I had seen at mission beach an Irish bloke from Rockhampton and Layla, how I had last seen a month ago in Sydney; sometime's you meet knowbody, sometime everybody!

Anyhow I decided to do an afternoon whale watching and tomorrow has as a day off fishing and relaxing by the pool and the day after for a two day adventure safari of Fraser island.

The Whale watching was fantastic as we saw a mother and a calf move round platypus bay (off Fraser Island). The calf spent most of it’s time splashing it’s tail and frolicking; this it does to build up body mass. However after a while of this the mother decided to check the boat out and swimming under. It’s only then that you get a sense of scale; as this majestic animal saunters past. Later we had an even rarer sight as the mother breached, which is an impressive sight and rare; the reason she may have been scaring off a tiger shark.

Having just returned to rocky, I desperate to leave; however greyhounds thinks that buses should leave at night! There's not a single bus that leaves from here during the day? Anyhow at 1 in the morning I’ll be leaving for Hevery bay where hope fully I’ll also have decent Internet access. If Hevery doe's have Internet access, ill slap on what I’ve done on the Great Keppel’s!

Starts was a day trip to the underwater observatory on Middle island, followed by a glass bottom boar trip; to be honest when you been diving it’s not much cop. For the main course was monkey beach, which involved a trek, vie the lost valley and back to shelving beach.

Giving the immense hassle getting there is was worth the work. Firstly the beach was spectacular and secondly the coral was excellent; even with the strong current. Saw loads Inc a sea cucumber, which I ducked-dive about 8 meter to get and a two blue spotted lagoon rays.

One of these rays I decided to follow round, from the surface, that was until I lead me to a massive eagle ray a meter plus. The ray was just sitting their on the bottom, so I duck-dive to within a foot before it took off, wicked. After that, the strong currents and the walk back I needed a nap before heading to the island nightclub.

I arrived quite early, better that than spending more time in rocky, so I was on the island by 9. This gave me time to settle in and have (for a change) a snorkel. Now personally I thing that Keppel is a fantastic place to snorkel, it’s only that is a hard place to navigate unlike Maggie island theirs no bus and the paths are trails and at time it’s a case of climbing, ducking.

Still it has some spectacular beaches and I only visited one third. The first location was Fisherman’s beach; easy to get to and o/k (Sand Flatheads, Golden-line whiting).

Then I opted for Shelving Beach, even though it’s just round the corner, it to half hour to walk/climb; I would have been easier to swim round. Here was some big fish mainly on the outer side some excellent coral and loads of cucumbers in the shallows. At about one walked back, taking a 4km detour to Leeke’s beach, Putney beach and back to the Spit.

A bonus is the resort which has a night club/bar and this night was a band; while still not being over developed.

Having arrived at Rockhampton at 6:30, missing the last boat out, I was forced to stay a night in Rocky. Which I can happily say was the worst hostel yet, set in the work area surrounded nothing of interest. Anyhow, it's only a night and then I’ll be on Great Keppel.

Arrive for my sailing to blue pearl bay on Hayman Island, part of the Whitsundays. Also I elected to do some scuba whilst their, which will make in my 16 dive. The sailing was disappointing, a 4 knots breeze meant that the engine was running, especially annoying after I helped to erect the sail; however the trip was calm and smooth. The diving was no more that a notch in my log, nothing spectacular; I was spoiled by the Yongala. After that did some snorkelling and then sailed back.

Dive Sixteen: Blue Pearl bay, WhitSundays;
11 meters for 36 minutes.
Boat to shore.
Nothing special.

An ok dive, however to shallow so by the end of my tanks I couldn’t control my accent.

Purple tusk/parrot fish and Venus-tusk/reef-Parrot fish.

Got up, still sore, and I had to make a decision stay and snorkel or get to Airlie Beach; so I left and my decision was confirmed then I bumped into Kim (different one) who had just completed her advanced and also had dived Yongala the same day. Arrived at Airlie beach, in time to book a day’s sailing to blue pearl bay.

This will be my 14 & 15 dive, both to the 24-meter mark; however, I’ll have to be on picnic bay by 7:20. Two Bus rides later and I arrive, ready for a 3 ½ hour cruise; over ruff sea’s it was not plain sailing. But give the hassle getting to the Yongala the only thing that can be said is wooowww; theirs fish down there that bigger and more varied that any other place I’ve seen.

In fact, it puts the Barrier-Reef to shame. I saw sea snakes, barracuda, giant travalies and Loggerhead/Hornbill Turtles you name it. You’ll need an advance cert, but it’s worth it’s, a must, you have no choice, I told you, so go already!

Dive Fourteen: SS Yongala Townsville QLD.
25 Meters 39 Minutes
In 11:32 230
Out 12:20 50
Temp 24c
Visibility 10-15
Safety stops 10m for 2 and 5m for 3.

First Wreak Dive, and I didn't notice the wreak until I was at it; but hell is it an excellent sight. The corals are Purple and abundant, the fish and big and ever where, and the small fish are in large schools. Two laps Saw the aft mast, engine room, forward mast, Name. Once off the fount you get stuck in the current, and that is fast and hard work to reach the calm of the ship.
Animals inc Snakes, Batfish and Silver Travalies.

Dive Fifteen: SS Yongala Townsville QLD.
26 Meters 44 Minutes
In 13:24 230
Out 14:17 50
Temp 24c
Visibility 10-15
Safety stops 10m for 2 and 5m for 3.

I improved again on the dive, reached nirvana where everything feels right though this could last too long we where on the move. However this time saw Turtles (Loggerheads) and eagle ray, Barracudas, Travalies and Nemo (anomone+fish)

Left Mission beach early, as so at least I would arrive on Magnetic Island in time to see the relatives; Suzanne (cousin, once removed Mother Side) and Andrew with their kids. Nice to meet them, and I’ll properly be back that way some time; hopefully to snorkel Maggie island (as Suzanne would say); their reefs and wreaks their. However, before that I booked a day trip to Yongala; which sank in 1911 with 120 people (plus a racehorse). Both used to dive, each stopping for different reasons; Andrew as he’s a helicopter pilot (Chinooks and black hawks) their rules 48 hours.

It was dark by the time I got to the hostel, so bed was calling; however, I got my finger sucked by a Possums. Possums are like kangaroo/squirrels with wide eyes; not friendly just inquisitive/hungry.

Finally I'm leaving cairns, left early so I got to mission beach by 9:30. Which meant I could do some snorkelling; also with out a wetsuit but with fins. It's far easier to dive without a wetsuit, and the fins mean you cam really pick up speed, even on the bottom. Saw many fish inc Angles/Butterfly, Speckled Sand Perch. Also hermit crabs, that fall off rocks as fish fly overhead, or they all win in synchronicity as you approached.

I'm staying in the treehouse, it's not a treehouse rather a house made of trees; relaxing place to stay, a little retreat. It is very quite like cape tribulation, with the cassowaries and the forest is not as dense so fewer insect bites. As it's TV less I spent the evening reading, nice but not every night.

Staying one night in a rain forest is enough for me, even if the wildlife is abundant. In the morning I went for a walk on the beach and noticed the animal tracks snakes and monitor lizards; crocs bellies will rub lizards won’t. However, on the way back to my challis, I saw a pair of wild pigs; a male and female. Also theirs spiders, scrub turkeys, Laces (monitor lizards) and things that go bump in the night. By midday I started the journey back to cairns, the best parts was Alexandra range lookout and Mossman gorge where I had a swim.

To start with the trip you see just Sugar Cane, miles and miles of the stuff; give it a nice atmosphere. After that, we drove to the Daintree River for a croc cruse, only saw juveniles and riverbank. Next, it was onto the national park, where its rain forest and mountain passes. It took a couple of hours to final get to Cape Tribulation; but it was worth it.

Lucky I arrive at midday so I got my snorkelling gear on and headed to the beach. Beaches are not the best place, but you can normally find something nice. The trick is to look for fishy cover, i.e. rocks at low tide and dark patches on the seabed. After that all you need is calm weather and no rips; thought rip can be dangerous everybody (should) know to swim side wards to escape. There was quite a lot of fish, their inc angle/butterfly fish, groupers and I’m sure I caught a glimpse of a shark.

Not doing to much, really just hanging round waiting for my trip to the Cape. So I just went for a walk round in the morning and the afternoon was spent at 4 mile beach. The Port is a stylish port, but just that, the only highlights is the look out, which is a half hour trek up a very steep road; Also have a look at St Mary’s by the sea, and go in side.

My afternoon, at the beach was cool and the beach is very clean. Had a dip and the first couple of meters is very warm, after that the top half is still warm, but below that is cold (thermocline).

Finally I’m out of cairns; it's an ok place if a your doing trip or you're out to get drunk, other than that its dull; so I’m now in Port Douglas

The travelling to port Douglas naturally I went up the great ocean road that is picturesque and has far too many unspoiled beaches. In Port Douglas I didn’t do much during the day, as it gets far too hot; I did pot down to four mile beach and tomorrow I’ll probably go and make sand castles.

However I did see the Cane toad racing; If you here it’s 5 bucks at the Iron bar. I even won a race (with Skippy’s love child); the toad just leap off the table and all I had to do was place it in a bucket. It’s one of those events where it’s the compare/trainer/judicator/veterinarian that makes the night.

Didn't do much in during the day, however I’ve decided on a plan of action, which included, Port Douglas cape tribulation and mission beach. Monday I’ll leave for Port Douglas, spending at least two days their. After that, it's cap tribulation, then down to mission beach via cairns.
The nights activity consisted of reef teach which is worth the visit, and then a pub.

When on a reef cruise, very good 96 buck (inc reef tax) I stop off a two sites Saxon reef and North Hastings and a nice meal. I spent most of the time swimming snorkelling I would have gone scuba but I’m still sore and my right ear not on top form, but the fruit salad flem has gone.

I still feel, least until you experienced, that snorkelling is the best way to see the widelife. So I took a camera and did two snorkel trips, the only thing was I forgot to put lotion on my calf's, dooh. The pictures were ok, for a disposable; however, I would go for a flash next time.

The swim was nice however the wet suit was lose and had a big hole where one of my cheeks were, but i had bought a some swimmers (really full brief underwear) and a rash vest.

Snokle one: Saxon reef. Saw lots of different stuff, including more sea cucumbers a turtle, which was wicked, and fish, plenty of fish.

Snokle two: North Hastings. Much the same but I liked the six bar wrass, spent most of the time swimming along the reef and that's where most of the fish are; especially the little coral islands.

I've decided, due to the fact my body ache's, to spend the day chilling; also I’ll be writing up my entries for the pass four days, as I’ve been on a boat in the middle of the great barrier reef; no internet/phones.

My final day and I’m nearly certified as a advanced diver, just one more elected which I’ve chosen as underwater photography; with under water photography if you’ve got digital you can be snap happy other wise you’ll spend all your time aligning shots up. I’ve only got three dives today, which is good as it’s really taken It out of me and I’ll be glad to get back and have a decent nights sleep.

Dive Eleven: Caves Norman Reef, 30 meters, 27 minutes. This is the one dive that i was most worried over, as this is the depth were people go mad with oxygen narcosis; not good! Some of the stories you hear funny, like people taking the regulators out a giving them to turtles and even taking off the entire BCD and swimming away.

Have to say I’m a little bit disappointed that I stayed sane, didn't feel any effects. The best part was having a LongFin Bat fish buzz round us while doing the reaction tests.

Dive Twelve: Caves Norman Reef, 16 meters, 26 minutes. Stared off swimming into the current which was very strong. The dive was ok but still needed to get relax with my breathing. I did get the chance swim through a cave, not a hope in hell; well maybe after more dive and on a full tank of air.
Wally was their again, such a tart!

Dive Thriteen:My final test before being certified, this was photography, didn’t get any great pictures as I spent too much time aligning the shot. But this one of a spannish dancer (a flat worm) cool and i like this one.

Not that I’m getting blasé about diving but it’s getting easer; still using up far to much air but that will improve with time. Two fun, one a night dive, a navigation and a buoyancy workshop. One thing about night dives is the waves which are big and makes getting onto the boat hard, but the water is nice warm at night.

Dive Seven: twin peaks, Saxon reef; 18 meters for 30 minutes. This dive is my peak performance buoyancy, which involved head stands fin pivots, hovering and swimming thought hoops. This class has helped me a lot, and I’m down to only three weights now. Also I’m finding it easier to get to natural buoyancy and I got the kissing carpet straight off.

Dive Eight: playground Norman reef, 16 meters for 37 minutes. A fun dive looking at the wildlife saw a white tip shark puffer fish some clams; good fun.

Dive Nine: Playground Norman reef, 16 meters for 27 minutes. Under water navigation, with Corey how like to wear a superman teashirt! All good stuff, however I was with two experienced divers and big fuckers, so I used too much air keeping up. The skills I learned was compass navigation box navigation all cool; but if there is one thing I’ve learned it’s to trust you compass.

Dive Ten: Playground Norman reef, 12 meters for 29 minutes, another night dive however this one was a fun dive, less scary but it seemed to go on for to long. The best thing was the bronze whaler shark swimming off in the distance. Also I saw a buffalo parrot fish and schools of red bass. However the bizarrest thing where the giant travalies that follow you around at night, we had two that stayed with us the entire dive. The reason they do this is when you look at the fish if you keep you light on them for two long the travalies with snap them up; and only allowed one act of god out here.

Today is where the fun really starts, two practice dives and then I graduate.
After that I go for a fun dive and then a night dive; for my advance scuba. I didn’t get much sleep as I the mattress was plastic and there was no natural light so I ended getting up around 5:30; which gave me time to study.

Dive Three: Caves, Norman reef. 18 meters for 34 minutes, Surface swim with compass a CESA (controlled emergency swimming accent) and an underwater compass navigation. The only plus was I saw
Dive Four: Caves, Norman reef. 16 meters for 34 minutes, the last of my dives before I become a certified. This time we had to do a half and full mask flood, as we as a regulator recovery and mask replace. All went fine; however, I needed to work on my breathing; which will come in time.

Certified: as part of the course when you’re certified you jump from the top deck. I choose a 270-side ward roll; but it meant I hit the water side on, Ouch.

Snorkel: as I had some free time and the sea being quite smooth I choose to snorkel, the next dive being at 3:30. Snorkelling is cool, and in many ways better, firstly you don’t need a buddy and second you get a birds eye view of the coral. With scuba, unless you know the site it’s hard to fine anything. Whilst I was out I saw parrot fish, a puffer and Nemo’s (anemone fish). The Nemo’s were fun as they would dart in out of the anemone to try and scare you away.

Dive Five: coral garden, Saxon reef,14 meters 27 minutes; this was a fun dive and evolved just cruising up and down the coral, saw some good stuff a Cuttle fish, turtle and plenty of sea cumbers (three different types, I must ask a Japanese what they taste like). Also I learned about cone shell that have got a barbed harpoon which will kill you in five minutes; I’ve seen them lying on the bottom.

Dive Six: Coral garden, Saxon reef,14 meters 27 minutes; 14 meters for 27 minutes, this was the scariest so for as you surrounded in a dark murk with only you light and buddy. The worst part was the compass navigation, there I was the fin counter and my buddy the compass reader but unfortunately she got the direction slight wrong 10 degrees. So being stuck under 14 meters of water lost in gloom you start to feel anxious; however we kept our head and survived.

My first day was spent most on reef quest, a catamaran, and involved two practice dives, stuff that I competed in the pool; however this time it’s for real. It’s quite funny to see how people react, and try to guest how’s going to chuck; Personal I was fine. At around 3:30 we transferred to the liveaboard ocean quest, and spent the night bored with nothing to do. Can’t remember much about the else other that I would have gone for a snorkel but it was far too choppy. The only thing left was to drink beer.

Dive One: Lake top. Cramp removal, tired diver tow and snorkel/regulator exchange. All easy stuff but daunting first time round; I was down for around 35 minutes.
Dive Two: was remove/replace scuba and weights; again the bottom time of 35 minutes.

Today was better still pool work but we did more, including a long period of underwater exercises; the only other thing to report is I brought a mask and snorkel.

One of the best parts of cairns if mountains, you enclosed by them, which are part of the great dividing range, which is cool, as I’ve never seen mountains before!

I'll be diving off norman reef and the smaller saxon reef.If you want to know more about the reef this site is excellent reefed

So it’s my first day open water course, I’m in the pool today, with some theory work. Lucky I have only two other people in class, which makes it easier. All the other students are German or Japanese. The Japanese are the strange and they like their photos; I did say hello to a group of girls and later when I was in my wet suit three asked for a picture with me?

The first time under water was strange and I did panic a bit, mostly due to having no scuba gear, i.e. mask, just the regulator. But as the lesion continues I improved. There were many different exercises to do including taking regulator, mask, BCD/tank off and so on; still theirs a first for everybody.

Didn’t do much today, as I’ve got my flight to cairns, however I did go to tamarama to watch and play a bit of volley ball; a bit of fun. The flight was cool again, in fact I’m getting a nonchalant about take off, its my third flight after all; the best thing was a window seat, which is a bonus of arriving early; what’s more I got the whole row to my self.

The flight was cool and Sydney has a different atmosphere from a plane, it’s mostly white house lighting, i.e. verandas, and more spaced. As for the rest of oz you really get a sense that civilisation is barely crust round a massive void of forest and deserts.

On arrival, I almost heard the battle of the banjo (deliverance), and the air was hot and sweaty with the sweet smell of freshly cut sugar cane. It funny but I no know what some parts of America feels like i.e. New Orleans or Arizona.

So I’ve got my ticked I fly on Wednesday, depart 6:45 and arrive 9:50. Also on the Thursday, I’ll be starting a openwater and advance dive course 13 dives, including reef and night dives.
in the evening when with some people to Gertude & Alices, which is a book shop/cafe very trendy and not filled with beerheads! After that a movie, rage in placid lake; really funny.
Coolio.

6 day PADI Live-aboard
Open water cource
2 days pool and classroom training
4 days/3 nights liveaboardd trip to the reef.
13 dives (4 traning,4 advance, 3 fun, 1 night)
PADI Open water Certification.

Finally managed to meetup with Layla, it's fantastic to see here again; my hasn’t she changed. We had a natter, about old times, Waxers and the fun that she’s had. She turned into a bit of a hippy, and will be doing a perm-culture course; and will be meditation for a month in a Buddhist monastery.

Very cool and it means that I can now move on, which I’ll book tomorrow. I want to get to cairns and do some diving, also I'll probably take my driving test out here, I’ll be cheaper to learn and give me the experience; however I'll be provisional for two years so I can't drive unaccompanied.