Monthly Archives: July 2013

Great Barrier Reef

Our first full day in Australia we set off to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, which is a World Heritage Site as of 1981. We went on a catamaran to a large pontoon and the boat ride was very choppy! I’m guessing that about 70% of my fellow adventurers were sea sick and it was not a pretty sight! I has on my wrist bands and had taken ginger tables and a Dramamine and came out without an problems — surprising myself. Our adventure included:

  • Return air-conditioned fast catamaran transfers to Outer Barrier Reef Pontoon
  • Morning and afternoon tea and coffee*
  • Snorkelling equipment
  • Use of buoyancy vests
  • Reef education presentation
  • Hot and cold buffet lunch
  • Semi-submersible coral reef viewing tour
  • Underwater Observatory
  • Guided Eco Reef Talk

It was my first time snorkeling and, again, it was pretty choppy. But despite that it was very wonderful! I don’t have photos because my camera is not waterproof.

Rain Forestation Nature Park

9390501463_0f65e2e86f_cThis begins a 20+ day blog catchup and recap of my time in Australia. No doubt the recap will have more photos than words. 🙂

The first day we went to the Rain Forestation Nature Park in Kuranda. Link is here. There were kangaroos and koalas (I got to hold one!) and crocodiles (oh my!). There was a WWII amphibious duck  (DUKW) boat which toured the tropical rainforest and the plunged into a lake.  It seems like everything the guides pointed out could kill you, including the plants!

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China Lake Park

9195094891_21de209d51_bIt was very hot the other day and dear daughter, our two pups and I decided to visit the 373 acre Swan Creek Park. The creek itself was delightfully cool and the dogs walked right into it. There is also a pond at one end that had a couple of kids floating around. The link for the park is here.

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Buy Your Fireworks Here

sun July 4thDear husband and I were on our way to a movie in Puyallup’s South Hill area when we passed this delightful display! Fireworks are illegal in Tacoma (not that that seems to stop folks), but there are stands surrounding the city and this is one of the larger ones.

Ready for any occasion guy

4th of July GuyIn the 4300 block of Pacific Avenue, there is a private house with an outside table and two chairs in the front yard. One of the chairs is always occupied by a manikin and that manikin is always dressed for the season or holiday. Yesterday, July 4th, he was wearing his northwest summer gardening outfit (overalls, flannel shirt, hat) and on the table was a patriotic bucket with red, white and blue flowers and a flag. It reminds me of the Holiday house on South 9th, near Sprague, only its more subdued.