The Great Barrier Reef for the Great Finale!

I'm officially up to date, posting in real time. Happy Halloween - we're going as snorkelers this year.

We chose the Quicksilver cruise to the outer Reef because it is a bit shorter than all day and offered more than just snorkeling. You cruise for an hour and half on a big boat that holds 450, but only 250 were aboard today. The boat docks at this station in the middle of the ocean.

Here's the Tin Shed, where we're regulars :-)

We started with a short ride on the semi-submersible and saw a few Nemos and three turtles and brightly colored fish everywhere.

Molly was tempted to try a prawn for lunch, but she couldn't get past the eyes lookin' at her. Trick or treat?

You can snorkel in an area right off the platform patrolled by lifeguards.
Wow.

Charlie spent most of his time riding Mike's back, but Molly was a snorkeler and Daniel went far and wide. Mike saw a shark, but we were assured they're not dangerous.

Mike is loading the car as I type for our trip back to Sydney, hopefully in time for the Melbourne Cup - a horse race that stops all the action in Australia. First thing the next morning - a flight to LA, then Detroit and a car ride back to East Lansing. Home.