Australia Day 8 - Great Barrier Reef

There are no words to explain how amazing and thankful we are that we got to experience first hand the Great Barrier Reef.  Don't think we will ever top that trip :)

Some pics on the boat on our 3rd day out snorkeling the great barrier reef.  Day 3 we explored Turtle Bay.  We ended our snorkeling adventure on a high as we were swimming back towards the boat to board we saw 2 black tip reef sharks, a sea turtle, and a sting ray.  No words to describe this place.  Praying we can go back soon!

 Finishing up breakfast and getting ready to board our boat for the day!  These kids were troopers.  They are amazing travelers - looking forward to many more adventures.

 Now this is the way to travel out to sea.  So cool!  Our favorite boat of all.

 Two hour ride out to the Reef means nap time ;)

 We practically had the place to ourselves!  We love Australia!  The people are so nice!

 These two did not have time for my pics.  They wanted in that water :)

 Excited and ready to see the world under the water.

 Ella Kate and John were pretty much the only kids we saw out snorkeling the Reef.  The crew was so impressed by them as they were usually the first ones in the water and the last ones out.  Almost everyday the boat crew had to come find us and tell us it was time to come in ;)  HaHa.  We loved it!

Day 7 Daintree Rainforests + Jungle Surfing

On Day 7 we enjoyed a walking tour of the Daintree Rainforest (the worlds oldest rainforest).  It was unbelievable.  After the rainforest tour we enjoyed a nice lunch and then headed off to Jungle Surf!  It was AWESOME!

 There is no road to get to Cape Tribulation.  You have to drive onto this large ferry which takes you across the river!

 The kids loved the ferry ride :)

 Daintree Rainforest.  Just beautiful.

 They loved this dinosaur looking them that made noises and moved its head when they walked by.  It scared them to death the first time ;)

 Bathroom :)

 Touring the Daintree Rainforest.

 Look closely and you will see an insect.

 Another insect camouflaging on that tree.  Amazing.

 Is that a branch or another insect.  You guessed it - another insect.  Pretty impressive science lesson on this tour ;)

 These trees are thousands of years old.

 John and Ella Kate never left the tour guides side.  They were very engaged. 

 That is a string of ants!

Next up - Jungle Surfing (aka Zip Lining) through the worlds oldest rainforest! 

 

 The hamster wheel you have to walk on to get to the first set of zip lines.

 

 The first 2 zip lines were tandem meaning two people go together.  This was a perfect way to ease John in :)  He played it so cool b/c he was not about to let the "cool guys" that were in charge know he was scared to death :)  HaHa.

 Fearless. 

 

 John and Dave racing on the last zip line.

 Amazing experience!  We loved it.

 On the ferry crossing the river back to our hotel in Port Douglas.  I spy something in that water.

 

 Yep that is a croc!