Brisbane, November 17: Boating around Tangalooma Wreck

The plan to go snorkeling around the Tangalooma Wreck sounded better when I was home in New Jersey. The reality is, with Don's accident it was not a good move. Andrew, and most Aussie's it seems, learn to swim before they learn to walk. Don and I can tread water, but I wouldn't say we could swim.

After the hourlong ride in his boat, we anchored as close to the beach as Andrew dared to go. We made our way to the beach. Don did great. I'm such a wimp when I go in the water -- I want it the exact perfect temperature. Fortunately, this was pretty close.

Andrew tugged me to the wreck by the neck of the lifejacket he loaned me (thank goodness for lifejackets!) while Don and Jo waited on the beach. I was kicking myself for not bringing the disposable camera I bought for snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. It doesn't take up a lot of space.

Tangalooma Wreck is a collection of 15 vessels that were purposely submerged to form a reef. Located a 15-minute walk from a resort, they are a favorite for snorkelers. The notes I made said I could see barnacles growing on the metal. There were a variety of different fish: Dory (bright blue), a grey one with black stripes, monk fish, grey with pop of yellow. Andrew fed the fish some bread. I had a flashback to doing this in Hawaii in 1999, I could swear I was bitten. Unlike that time, I did not see any teeth marks. Maybe I just bumped into some metal. 

The area was active, but not too crowded. A surprise since it was a lovely Sunday afternoon following a miserable Saturday.

I spotted people doing a wide variety of water activities. Snorkeling (of course). Paddle boarding. Glass bottom canoes. Rafts. Boating. Swimming. If you don't have access to a private boat, there are ferry rides that leave from Brisbane.

We got our wires crossed and could not find Don and Jo. Andrew and I headed back to the boat to move it as the tide was coming in (or is it going out?). Unfortunately, Jo had the key. Don't know how we missed each other.

We then moved the boat to a quiet area for more swimming. No one was around here. Jo's fear of stingrays kept her in the boat. Her fear of stingrays had me distrusting all shadows. Andrew must think I am the biggest water wimp. He wouldn't be too far off.

On the way out he went closer to the wreck so Don could see it. We tossed the rest of the soggy bread overboard. Surprised we had no takers.

Hung back at their house to rest up for our last leg, Sydney, yes again.

Welcome back!