Lady Musgrave Island, a coral cay, is home to birds, birds, and birds. The birds thrive in this natural rookery with no predators on the island. A walk through this island astonished this Kansas girl. The shores are coral. The beach is coral. The pathways are coral. The island is coral.
Getting to Lady Musgrave requires a 2+ hour boat ride which was not my favorite part of the adventure, but the crew and other guests made it pleasant. Once we arrived (near) the island, the boat docked at a semi-permanent docking station and guests were able to easily transfer between the two vessels. A glass-bottomed boat ride to the island provided our first look at the Great Barrier Reef.
Taking photos through the glass bottom boat's window was challenging.
Sharing a few hazy photos for good measure.
After a tour of Lady Musgrave Island, it was time to snorkel. No photographic evidence so you'll need to use your imagination through this part. Using a simple face-down floating position, the current pulled me over the reef. At times it was close (but not too close) and at other times, I floated over a ledge that made my heart jump. The coral's colors emerged and shifted while fish of all shapes and colors swam by. The vivid blue and white edges along the coral show new growth. Though I don't know how much new growth is needed, and this is a lot as human beings have damaged the reef through illegal harvesting and pollution, I can report seeing white and blue coral often.
The fish were unbelievable. Appearing in all shapes and sizes. The colors are simply WOW! However, the turtles stole my heart. A group of 20-somethings had the opportunity to swim with several turtles. It was the right place, right time situation. Their swim-with-the-turtles joy was contagious.
Blessed to see this natural wonder in person, the Great Barrier Reef.
Until next time,
Dana
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