Green Island

Saturday October 30th

This was the day we’d been looking forward to most of all and the reason we chose to stay in Cairns, but it has been the first day of the holiday that has left us feeling disappointed.

 We had originally planned to go to the outer reef but worries about sea sickness, length of journey and spending the day on a pontoon put us off. So we were booked on a visit to Green Island on the inner reef.

We had checked with the company the day before about optional extras like walking on the sea bed and helicopter flights, and were assured we could book on the boat.

WRONG!!!

When we asked about booking the sea walk – it was full. So plan B – a flight over the reef. Quote: “Sorry guys, we’ve just completed our quota for the day.”

Still, there was snorkelling and a trip on the glass bottomed boat. Not so bad.

We found a patch of clear sandy beach and donned the snorkelling gear.

“I’m not going in without my fleece!”

 By now it had clouded over – above AND below the water, and the sea had become really choppy. We saw lots of different coral and fish – including Nemo and friends, but photographs just reflected the light back at you.

Even from the underwater observatory the water was still murky.

As for the glass bottomed boat, again we saw some amazing things – the giant clams were huge and the colour of some of the fish was dazzling – but there were so many reflections in the glass that again, photographs were a waste of time.

Incidentally, Green Island has a rather large population of these cute little birds, the buff-banded rail. Cute that is until you realise that they make a mess everywhere, resulting in a not very pleasant smell. Your “exclusive” use of the resort pool will also have to be shared with a few of them.

After taking back the snorkelling gear of course, the sea calmed down and the sun came out!!! But anyway there was now little time left before catching the boat.

Green Island was a disappointing end to our stay in Cairns, so much so that we may have to do something about it.

Watch this space!!

We ended the day by unwinding with cocktails (mixed by Bethan from Newport) and a really good meal at the hotel poolside bar before watching the bats depart for the hills.