Big Fish
19th December - The Great barrier Reef
There is much to be said for europe. It is overflowing with fine beers, strong smelling cheeses and outstanding languages, such as German. On top of these fine attributes, one can also argue that its constituent countries are developed. When I say developed, I should clarify that in this instance, I mean it in terms of sending all of the worthwhile native animals to extinction using guns and chainsaws. Who needs dragons and unicorns anyway.
Australia, on the other hand, is still going through this process, although there is a good chance that the those tree huggers may prevent further progress. So what, I hear you mutter, is the problem with this? Well frankly, this is a country where killer beasts roam the countryside and seas alike. And even if you manage to knock one down with the bull bars on the front of your ute, what do you get? A fine. Great. Thanks very much.
My first unpleasant encounter was during a magnificent day on the back of a dive boat on the reef north of Port Douglas. Although restricted to snorkelling, I was having a fantastic time; our stinger suits made us look like navy frogmen (in my eyes at least) and we were swimming amongst and plethora of beautifully crafted fishies.
My dad (the infamous Gord), who was doing his best to antagonise the three of us by taking photos with his underwater camera, grabbed me to tell me he had seen a shark. Assuming this was an impromptu photo session, I decided to go elsewhere. Anyway, who wants to see a short, fat dogfish playing gangster whilst sitting around on the sea bed? Not me. I was off to find nemo.
A short time later, floating aimlessly without a nemo sighting to my name, I customarily looked round to find out where Helen was. And who did I spy? Yes a big sinister looking shark lurking about 1m below the surface. This evolutionary old boy was about 1.5 - 2m long and looked disturbingly like sharks should, or in this case shouldn't, when only 15 feet away.
It was a reef shark, probably white tipped due to the size, which are seldom dangerous to humans. However, to me it was a visual medley of Jaws 1-4 and deep Blue sea all at once. I didn't waste time telling Helen, just grabbed her arm and ran like a lunatic. Seconds later, remembering our liquid substrate, I decided to swim away instead.
Lesson learnt; carry weapons, don't be a sissy.
There is much to be said for europe. It is overflowing with fine beers, strong smelling cheeses and outstanding languages, such as German. On top of these fine attributes, one can also argue that its constituent countries are developed. When I say developed, I should clarify that in this instance, I mean it in terms of sending all of the worthwhile native animals to extinction using guns and chainsaws. Who needs dragons and unicorns anyway. Australia, on the other hand, is still going through this process, although there is a good chance that the those tree huggers may prevent further progress. So what, I hear you mutter, is the problem with this? Well frankly, this is a country where killer beasts roam the countryside and seas alike. And even if you manage to knock one down with the bull bars on the front of your ute, what do you get? A fine. Great. Thanks very much.
My first unpleasant encounter was during a magnificent day on the back of a dive boat on the reef north of Port Douglas. Although restricted to snorkelling, I was having a fantastic time; our stinger suits made us look like navy frogmen (in my eyes at least) and we were swimming amongst and plethora of beautifully crafted fishies.
My dad (the infamous Gord), who was doing his best to antagonise the three of us by taking photos with his underwater camera, grabbed me to tell me he had seen a shark. Assuming this was an impromptu photo session, I decided to go elsewhere. Anyway, who wants to see a short, fat dogfish playing gangster whilst sitting around on the sea bed? Not me. I was off to find nemo.
A short time later, floating aimlessly without a nemo sighting to my name, I customarily looked round to find out where Helen was. And who did I spy? Yes a big sinister looking shark lurking about 1m below the surface. This evolutionary old boy was about 1.5 - 2m long and looked disturbingly like sharks should, or in this case shouldn't, when only 15 feet away.
It was a reef shark, probably white tipped due to the size, which are seldom dangerous to humans. However, to me it was a visual medley of Jaws 1-4 and deep Blue sea all at once. I didn't waste time telling Helen, just grabbed her arm and ran like a lunatic. Seconds later, remembering our liquid substrate, I decided to swim away instead.
Lesson learnt; carry weapons, don't be a sissy.
Labels: Australia
posted by _trainer at 8:15 am
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