Lizard island is a granite island about 6 square miles in size. Captain Cook gave it its name when he landed there in 1770 and saw all the lizards that inhabit the island. They are related to the Komodo dragons we saw what seems like eons ago, but they are not as large as those bad boys. We now have two pilots onboard to help us navigate the very narrow shipping channel, with its maze of reefs, that lies between the mainland of Australia and the Great Barrier Reef.
A few hardy souls went off early on a strenuous 4 hour hike to the peak on the island called "Cook’s Look”. Being of sound mind, I decided to forego the pleasure and went for a tour of the Lizard Island Research Station. This station is associated with Australia University and the station on Heron Island at the south end of the reef. It was very interesting to hear about the research that goes on there, with marine biologists and the like coming from all over the world to participate. One of the projects is trying to find ways to kill the Crown of Thorns starfish that attach themselves to coral and eventually kill it. Their numbers are growing and they are becoming a real problem. Cutting them in pieces doesn’t work because that just makes more of them, so they are now testing ways to inject them with a poison that will do the job.
A very bad cyclone passed directly over the island last April and did a lot of damage to the coral, but the underwater views for snorkelers, etc. were still wonderful. We saw sea turtles, giant clams about 9 feet in length and, remarkably enough, not one but two cuttlefish. These are very large marine animals that are cephalopods, so related to squid and the like. One was swimming over the sandy bottom so it took on a white color, while the other was spotted over some rocks so it camouflaged itself with a mottled goldy brown color. It was quite a thrill to see them.
Tonight was the last evening for the first leg of our trip. We have met some very interesting people with whom we hope to stay in touch. With the exception of maybe one or two people, and isn’t that always the way, the passengers have been a great group and I hate to see them go. I also hate to start all over again with meeting a whole new set of people, except for the 7 of us staying on, and having to go through all the small talk that is required at meal times. Opting out is not an option however, because the smallest tables seat four. Another wrinkle is that we have to change cabins. We are being upgraded to a deluxe cabin on a higher floor because someone else has booked the room we now have, so I have to pack almost everything up again for the move. I can’t believe I’m being cranky about being upgraded. Talk about being ungrateful!