Saturday - February 19, 2005

Australia: Exmouth

Exmouth is a tiny place on the north-west coast of Australia. When the ship docks, we will more than double the population if the crew is allowed to go ashore as well as the passengers. Exmouth is known for its white sand beaches, fabulous snokelling and diving on the Ningaloo Reef. This is the largest fringing coral reef in Australia and it is just 100 meters off-shore at points. We have booked to go into the outback and its colored canyons in a four-wheel drive vehicle and then do some snorkelling before returning to the ship.

The Ningaloo Reef is every bit as wonderful and colorful as we had been led to believe. All kinds of fish, crabs, coral, starfish, sea anenomes etc. to be seen. Just a fabulous experience as you can see from the picture I have attached.

Actually, I have no idea what the Ningaloo Reef looks like because our tenders to shore were canceled because of wind, which is expected to get worse during the day. So once again, we have to pull up anchor and leave without ever going ashore. I must admit that we are really disappointed with this particular cancellation. (This is the third tender port to be cancelled after Kona and Philip Island; we couldn't see the Queen Charlotte Sound because of fog, and can't go to Bali because of security worries.). This is a part of Australia that people rarely see and we were very much looking forward to our shore excursion. I can only imagine how disappointed the townspeople must be, seeing as they were going all out to accommodate us on this first-time stop for the QE2 in Exmouth.

So where did the picture come from, you must be wondering? Well, I took it at a fish and chip shop in Freemantle where they had the most fabulous fish tanks on display. It was like walking into a wonderful acquarium - where you get to eat the exhibits!

I am feeling really cranky about this. I guess I will go have my shower and pretend I'm snorkelling. And I can't wait for the trivia quiz because I'm in a real kick-ass mood today!