- Exmouth
- 39°c
Today we went on the Ningaloo Reef Ecology Cruise. We had a very informative guide Kim, even
though we had been to the Vlaminghead Lighthouse and the Jurabi Turtle centre earlier in the week we learnt a lot more.
We also looked at the shipwreck the SS Mildura that was damaged after hitting the reef whilst trying to avoid the coming cylcone in 1907. It was carrying cattle when it struck the reef and because of the Captains actions a lot of the cattle made it to shore as did all the crew. The wreck was used for bombing practice in World War II.
After that we headed out to Tantabiddi, where we boarded the "Bathtub with 4 windows" as the skipper affectionately called it. We set out to sea and before long we were over the Ningaloo Reed, the glass bottom boat was amazing, in some parts we were only about 15cm above the reef. The coral wasn't as colorful as we thought it would be, but i guess we were expecting it to be like the other reefs we've seen before.
As part of the cruise we stopped for a snorkel on the reef, Ella and I went in but the boys decided to stay on the boat. This was the first time I'd dipped in the West Coast Ocean and boy was it cold, like take your breath away cold! Even after seeing my reaction Ella was determined to snorkel the reef, such an adventurous spirit! We got the hang of the flippers and i gotta say the good ole pool noodles were a huge advantage.
We also looked at the shipwreck the SS Mildura that was damaged after hitting the reef whilst trying to avoid the coming cylcone in 1907. It was carrying cattle when it struck the reef and because of the Captains actions a lot of the cattle made it to shore as did all the crew. The wreck was used for bombing practice in World War II.
As part of the cruise we stopped for a snorkel on the reef, Ella and I went in but the boys decided to stay on the boat. This was the first time I'd dipped in the West Coast Ocean and boy was it cold, like take your breath away cold! Even after seeing my reaction Ella was determined to snorkel the reef, such an adventurous spirit! We got the hang of the flippers and i gotta say the good ole pool noodles were a huge advantage.
Didn't see much marine life, a few fish here and there, and a lot of coral. I'm glad we went in but to be honest I think we saw a lot more through the windows; brain coral, a turtle, electric blue fish which are an indication of the health of the reef - so if they're missing something is really wrong!
After a bite to eat back at camp we headed over to the pool for a dip which was super refreshing, even I went in!
It's our last night in Exmouth, plan is to have some dinner and then we'll head over to the moonlight cinema to watch "Nims Island".
Well that was the plan but on the way over to get ice cream Occy had a big stack and grazed his knee, chest & elbow - they call him SCAR!
Happy back to school day to our Melbourne friends!
It's our last night in Exmouth, plan is to have some dinner and then we'll head over to the moonlight cinema to watch "Nims Island".
Well that was the plan but on the way over to get ice cream Occy had a big stack and grazed his knee, chest & elbow - they call him SCAR!
Happy back to school day to our Melbourne friends!
Ooh poor occy hope he's ok now, you and Ella are super adventurers, it even looks cold. Schools not the same without you lot.xxxx
ReplyDeleteNice hats Ella & Oscar, but I thought you might have had some corks on string around the hats to keep the flies away! Bapa xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Bec, didn't know you could swim (only joking!) let alone in cold water. Very impressed!! Bapa xxx
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