Travel: Day 5 - Australia - The Great Barrier Reef

One of the advantages of teaching at a small liberal arts institution is the freedom to design and offer courses that are close to one's heart. 

In January 2011, I taught Tropical Ecology  and, for one of the class activities, I took a group of students on a 10 day trip to Puerto Rico. (Click here to read about the trip to Puerto Rico). 

This January (2013), I am teaching Ecology of Australia and, naturally, it entails a field trip to Australia! What follows is a travelogue of our adventures together, the sights we have seen, the things we are doing, and the lessons we are learning while exploring a land far removed from home.

(You can the previous posts in this thread here).

On Day 5 of the trip, having acclimated well to the rhythms of the Land Down Under, we undertook a (mini)voyage to one of the seven natural wonders of the world - The Great Barrier Reef!

The world's biggest naturally-made structure, the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) can be easily seen from outer space.

(AFP/Getty Images)
(http://i.cdn.travel.cnn.com/sites/default/files/styles/624x468_gallery/public/2011/09/23/afp-aerial.web_.jpg)

This giant structure is the product of years and years of build-up of the skeletal shells of tiny organisms known as coral polyps.  It gives rise to an amazing ecosystem, rich in nutrients and exposed to abundant sunlight and, consequently, a tremendous variety of plant and animal life.  The biodiversity of the area is incredible and even more amazing than one can imagine.

The GBR is located in the Coral Sea and lies parallel to the north-east coast of Australia in the state of Queensland, extending more than 2600 km (over 1600 miles) and covering an area about 344,400 square km (133,000 sq miles) .

Travel to the GBR is very carefully monitored by Australian authorities and most tour operators are restricted to visiting specifically chosen reefs or islands in order to reduce the potential impact of millions of human beings thrashing their way through the area.

A short, quick trip along the Boardwalk from the hostel took us to the Cairns Marina, where the tour operator's boat was docked.

(Kinsley Shoup 2013)

After signing our lives away (or so it seemed) and listening to a serious lecture on safety features and measures, we set sail, so to speak, on a boat to the Reef.  Soon, we left Cairns behind...

(Note: In order to conserve space on the blog and make it easier to scroll through, I am condensing how much of  the post is displayed.  To read the rest of it, simply click on the "Click here for the rest of my jaywalk" link below).

(Trey Cusick III 2013)

(Katherine Lederer 2013)

...and headed towards open water...

(Victoria Vollmer 2013)

We also picked up some snorkeling gear.

The boat ride to the reef took almost 2.5 hours.  We left land behind and headed out towards a pair of reefs (the names escape me at the moment) that have specially been designated as accessible for the tourist "traffic" from Cairns.

(Sandra 2013)

The sea was quite choppy after a while (though, we were told, not as choppy as it would be on the other side of the reef).

(Sandra 2013)

On the way there, the resident Marine biologist on the boat gave us an extensive presentation on the organisms and wonders that we could expect to see in the GBR.

The GBR consists of a series of interlinked reefs, more than 3000 in number, some of which have resulted in the formation of over 600 small islands.  There are over 1500 species of fish, 360 species of hard corals, 17 species of sea snakes, over 50 species of birds and a variety of larger animals such as whales, dolphins, sea turtles.


Of the many different types of corals, some of the more distinctive ones we were told to watch out for were the brain coral, fire coral, and staghorn coral.  Sometimes corals make a huge mound-like structure called "bommies".

And soon after we were there, at the GBR!

(Kinsley Shoup 2013)

After putting on our gear, it was time to snorkel.

(Jessica Sztaimberg 2013)

For Christmas, Marie had received a camera that could operate underwater and it was the perfect gift (not only for her but for the rest of us, too) as it let her record some of the amazing sights hidden from view but very close to surface.

Here are some of the things we could see.  Believe me when I say that the camera does not do justice to the colors and vibrancy of the area:

(Katherine Lederer 2013)

(Katherine Lederer 2013)

(Katherine Lederer, Angela Proctor 2013)

(Katherine Lederer 2013)

Craig's impression of the experience was one that was shared by everybody!

(Katherine Lederer 2013)

The GBR is a fantastic place to observe a reef because of how close to the surface the polyps grow.  At times, it can be difficult to snorkel without hitting the reef with one's flippers.

(Katherine Lederer 2013)

Richie and Marie also spent some time swimming around in the open water...

(Sandra 2013)

...which gave them the courage to try boat-netting.  A net was tied to the rear of the boat and some of the braver souls on the boat (including the afore-mentioned duo) held on for dear life while the boat dragged them in the wake.  It is, simply put, a game of chicken, to see how long one can hold on to the netting before letting go.  Following the boat is another small motorboat that picks up the swimmers as they let go.

(C.S. Manish 2013)

It looks like a lot of fun but is not recommended for anyone who is not a good swimmer, especially in open water.

(C.S. Manish 2013)

Here's a video of the experience.  Watch closely as, eventually, Marie is forced to let go of the netting before being picked up by the trailing boat.

The boat ride back to Cairns was soothing and most of the time was spent reflecting on the trip.  In the evening, at dinner we celebrated Lauren's birthday over some great food at The Woolshed.

Coming up: Day 6 - Research review at James Cook University