We spent most of last week at Port Douglas in Far North Queensland near the Great Barrier Reef. We had been there 3 1/2 years ago and were eager to return with Zach. We were also lucky enough to have Zach's Auntie Laura fly in from Seattle and join us there. To take advantage of the warm tropical weather and the Great Barrier Reef, we took a sailboat trip to a small coral cay to do some snorkeling.
The sailboat was beautiful and the trip out to the island was a wonderful way to start the day.
Perched in a prime location near the front of the boat, we watched the gentle waves and turquoise blue waters while Zach charmed the other passengers.
The fresh tropical breezes were the perfect antidote to jet lag after Laura's long flight Down Under.
We were all smiles when we arrived at the island.
The grown-ups took turns snorkeling and playing with Zach on the beach. He had the most fun with Auntie Laura who let him eat coral!! (He's working on cutting a few new molars.)
We were there at the very end of the season for stinging jelly fish. They don't show pictures of these very unattractive blue Lycra suits on the glossy brochures, but they are a necessary evil since the stingers can be lethal. Fortunately we didn't see any jellyfish. We did, however, see bright blue parrot fish, all varieties of butterfly fish, shy little clown fish nestled in their sea anemone homes, and giant angel fish.
Zach thought the suits were hilarious!!
After an exciting day filled with an incredible diversity of tropical fish and a spectacular undersea garden of soft coral in every color of the rainbow, Dad and Laura decided to relax with a can of VB (Victoria Bitter).
Ten minutes into our return trip, Zach was in a deep slumber. The excitement of the day was no match for the calming waves, gentle sea breeze, and warm sun. It was a marvelous day for all of us.
Perched in a prime location near the front of the boat, we watched the gentle waves and turquoise blue waters while Zach charmed the other passengers.
The fresh tropical breezes were the perfect antidote to jet lag after Laura's long flight Down Under.
We were all smiles when we arrived at the island.
The grown-ups took turns snorkeling and playing with Zach on the beach. He had the most fun with Auntie Laura who let him eat coral!! (He's working on cutting a few new molars.)
We were there at the very end of the season for stinging jelly fish. They don't show pictures of these very unattractive blue Lycra suits on the glossy brochures, but they are a necessary evil since the stingers can be lethal. Fortunately we didn't see any jellyfish. We did, however, see bright blue parrot fish, all varieties of butterfly fish, shy little clown fish nestled in their sea anemone homes, and giant angel fish.
Zach thought the suits were hilarious!!
After an exciting day filled with an incredible diversity of tropical fish and a spectacular undersea garden of soft coral in every color of the rainbow, Dad and Laura decided to relax with a can of VB (Victoria Bitter).
Ten minutes into our return trip, Zach was in a deep slumber. The excitement of the day was no match for the calming waves, gentle sea breeze, and warm sun. It was a marvelous day for all of us.
