Day 4 - First Day on the Great Barrier Reef

Our Next Destination was Port Douglas.

It was about a 45 min drive from Cairns to the town of Port Douglas where we would be staying for the next week.  Port Douglas is a quaint beach town and we were able to walk everywhere including the dock where the boats left for full day tours of the Great Barrier Reef.  We could not get enough of Port Douglas.  Loved that little town.

Our hotel was Mantra Aqueous on Port and it was AMAZING!  The prices for hotels in Australia are extremely reasonable so we were able to rent a two bedroom condo.  The condo had a big nice family room that included couches, tv, and a full size kitchen.  But the highlight of the hotel was that each bedroom had its own balcony with hot tubs.  The kids thought they had died and gone to heaven.  We enjoyed the hot tubs almost every night. 

 One of the bedrooms.

 Each bedroom had its own balcony with a hot tub.  The hot tubs were so much fun!

Family room with full size kitchen.

 The kids balcony and hot tub.

The awesome swimming pool - it was super long.  We had the pool entirely to ourselves every time we went for a swim.  It was heaven.

Day 4 was a highlight as it was our first adventure to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - The Great Barrier Reef.  We watched all kinds of videos and documentaries about the Great Barrier Reef before our trip but nothing prepared us for its beauty and the first hand experience!  I pray we get to come back and experience it again someday!  We loved it!!  I don't actually have any pictures of us snorkeling on the reef the first day b/c all of those pics and videos are on our go pro camera.  Dave is going to make a video of all of our go pro snorkeling adventures and I will post as soon as he has it finished.

In order to explore the Great Barrier Reef you have to get on a boat and ride 2.5 hours out to the middle of the Pacific Ocean where the Reef is located.  Next step..... suit up in your lycra suit and jump right in.  I am not going to lie I was nervous about jumping off that boat for the first time - especially when all you can see is ocean - no land.  I knew Ella Kate would be fine b/c she is basically a mini Dave but I honestly did not know how John would do.  Well he surprised us all b/c he was the second one in the water (first Ella Kate) and he jumped right in and never looked back.  We had practiced snorkeling in the pool throughout the summer and he was doing Ok - but I guess when you put your face in the water and see the amazing things the reef has to offer you quickly master snorkeling.  He never had one problem and held mine or Dave's hand and went wherever we did.  The first day we saw 2 sea turtles and a million brilliantly colored fish. Our favorite were the parrot fish.  We touched sea cucumbers, giant clams, and totally maximized our first time on the Reef.  We were in the water a solid 3.5-4 hours exploring.  We took one break and that was to enjoy an amazing lunch served on the boat. 

 Ready for our first day on the Reef!

 A nice breakfast before we head out.

  A look at our boat.  It was huge, awesome, and FAST!

 On the boat and ready to go!

 And we are off.

 So excited!

 Love my sweet girl!

 We have arrived!  We have tons of pics on the Go Pro - to be posted later :)

 Another view our boat. 

After a full day on the reef we walked around the town of Port Douglas and found a place called - Dave's BBQ.  Dave got his picture on the "Wall of Dave's" + a free meal :)  We love Australia!