Adventures in Cairns, Australia: Great Barrier Reef

Pappa and Nanna with Malachi

On Tuesday this week we got up bright and early (not anything different to all the other days so far on holiday!), put our togs (swim suits) on and headed to the Esplanade. We took a 50-minute boat ride out to Green Island, a small island in the Great Barrier Reef. Green Island isn't as far out as the Outer Barrier, which is where you can see the really spectacular coral and fish, but nonetheless it is beautiful and was a nice little trip to take the kids on.

Ben with his dad and Malachi on the glass-bottom boat

When we arrived on the island we hopped on a glass-bottom boat. The kids really loved getting to see under the water - the sand, then the lovely coral (Adelaide's favorite was called 'spaghetti coral'), and then lots of fish. We even spotted some sting rays and at the end of our trip found some 'Nemo" (clown) fish - another excitement for the kids.

Looking at some of the fish and coral through the boat 

Charlie, 2.5 years old

After the boat ride we headed to the beach on the small island. The water was a bit chilly (it is winter here) but Adelaide loved it. I call her my little fish. Charlie was more timid of the water but did have fun playing in the sand with Pappa. We enjoyed a nice lunch and then showered off and headed back to our boat and the mainland.

Charlie and Pappa building a 'snow man'

Adelaide, Nanna and I

Charlie finally braving his first time in the ocean

Hockey family photo :)

Ben with his parents and the kids

Malachi, 6.5 months

 On the way back to the car I snapped this photo of Charlie and Adelaide holding hands. They often hold hands, embrace and cuddle each other but it is so difficult to get a photo of it. It is definitely not something I can make them do which makes it so genuine and sincere when they show their affection towards each other. Charlie is a big protector of Adelaide and wasn't too happy about her getting in the water that day, but her approach was that maybe if he saw how brave she was, he would want to swim, too.

Best friends