Heron Island. Great Barrier Reef. Unlike any other place on earth. We arrived here on October 5th after a long and grueling 7 hour bus ride, followed by a 2.5 hour ferry ride. The initial view of the island was totally worth the trek. The turquoise blue water was crystal clear and teeming with life. Within moments of stepping off the boast we saw our first shark! The island itself is entirely made up of coral with some vegetation, mostly casuarina trees. Although it is extremely isolated, the island is home to the Heron Island Research Station run by UQ and the Voyages Resort. Basically, our week long stay consisted of snorkeling. That about covers it. We were swimming around with everything from green sea turtles and eagle rays to black and white tip reef sharks and tons of fish. Everything was extremely colorful and full of life. It was unbelievable. When we were not snorkeling, we were most likely eating or relaxing on the beach. Quite the life. We did in fact create and carry out a research project over the course of 3 days. My project involved observing cleaner wrasse fish, the tiny fish that cleans parasites off of larger fish. It was quite fun because we were able to do even more snorkeling than other groups. The only down side is that I now have to write a scientific report on the research, which is due in 2 days. Lovely. I also have a marine ecology test on Thursday, covering all of the information we learned in lecture on Heron. Even better. Blah!
Despite the beauty of the reef and the relaxing atmosphere, there was one incident that really grinded my gears during our stay. I had been looking forward to scuba diving on the Barrier Reef ever since i signed up for my certification class last winter! We were told that there would be opportunities to dive while were were on Heron; however, every opportunity I had to dive was denied by the resort. The resort runs dive trips everyday, four times per day, and there was supposedly slight buoyancy problems with the first group of 4 students that went. A couple of Germans that were on that trip complained directly to the resort and resort guests take TOP priority. Therefore, we were cut off completely from any possibility of scuba diving. Of the ~16 dives that were run over the several days we were there, there was not a single time when we were allowed to participate. I think that this was a major flaw in the program because all of the certified divers were completely led on about the diving experience in Australia. I kind of question why I spent the time and money to get certified when I wasn't even able to dive once while on this trip.
I was extremely upset with the situation mostly because it was the only opportunity for Jon and me to dive together. We are both going to Cairns over our break with the intent to scuba dive; however, we have separate itineraries. This was very upsetting and I am still a bit riled up about the whole situation.
Despite the diving incident, I was still able to enjoy the peacfulness and isolation of the island. One afternoon I was able to escape to the beach at Shark Bay and just read a book. Doesn't get much better than that.
P.S. I have yet to receive/upload the underwater pictures.
View coming in on the ferryDespite the beauty of the reef and the relaxing atmosphere, there was one incident that really grinded my gears during our stay. I had been looking forward to scuba diving on the Barrier Reef ever since i signed up for my certification class last winter! We were told that there would be opportunities to dive while were were on Heron; however, every opportunity I had to dive was denied by the resort. The resort runs dive trips everyday, four times per day, and there was supposedly slight buoyancy problems with the first group of 4 students that went. A couple of Germans that were on that trip complained directly to the resort and resort guests take TOP priority. Therefore, we were cut off completely from any possibility of scuba diving. Of the ~16 dives that were run over the several days we were there, there was not a single time when we were allowed to participate. I think that this was a major flaw in the program because all of the certified divers were completely led on about the diving experience in Australia. I kind of question why I spent the time and money to get certified when I wasn't even able to dive once while on this trip.
I was extremely upset with the situation mostly because it was the only opportunity for Jon and me to dive together. We are both going to Cairns over our break with the intent to scuba dive; however, we have separate itineraries. This was very upsetting and I am still a bit riled up about the whole situation.
Despite the diving incident, I was still able to enjoy the peacfulness and isolation of the island. One afternoon I was able to escape to the beach at Shark Bay and just read a book. Doesn't get much better than that.
P.S. I have yet to receive/upload the underwater pictures.
Beachrock around the coastline
Sea hare
Jetty
Sunset on the jetty
about 5 minutes later
Touch tank at the research station
Colorful clam
Shan I'm so sorry you didn't get to dive on the Barrier Reef!!!! DEFINITELY grinds my gears FOR you!
ReplyDeleteBut everything else sounds so amazing. You know how much I love my paradise pictures and the ones you posted her are just unreal! I'm so impressed with everything you are doing and I can't wait to hear the details in person!
Good luck with all of your homework. At the time it really sucks but I know you can get through it and it will be totally worth it for what you have been able to do.
Love ya and stay safe!