Taz 5

Taz 5 – Carnarvon to Exmouth

 

I can’t describe in words how happy mum and I were when we saw a Woolworths. It felt like heaven to actually see fresh fruit and veggies and meat that wasn’t on the verge of going out of date. It was a great way to start our stay in Carnarvon. The town had been hit by the cyclone not even 2 weeks before and there was still plenty of people trying to clean up but the town was looking pretty nice considering. Getting to spend some time with old friends in Sharon and Dave was great as well, I did enjoy being able to cuddle Coco their dog again because I am missing my 2, 4-legged friends back home.

We went out to a small town called Quobba because the snorkelling there was meant to be amazing. It took a fair bit of effort to get out to the best spot but it was definitely worth it when we were there. Fish were everywhere, small and big. It was incredible, the fish weren’t the shy type and the let you go right up close to them. The little ones fighting their own reflection in your goggles.

We left Carnarvon full of excitement knowing that Coral Bay was next. I remember Coral Bay pretty well from the last time we travelled there and I dont think it has changed a bit in that 5 years. Being able to walk across the road and straight onto the reef makes it even better. Much to Mum’s unhappiness Ryley and I got a bit more adventurous this time and found it more fun to go out a lot deeper. Sorry mum, but it was definitely worth it. Of course no place can ever be perfect, the amount of flies and the salt showers that make you come out only slightly cleaner then when you got in are the only two downfalls. If they fixed those two things then it would have definitely been heaven on earth. But unfortunately we had to leave.

We arrived in Exmouth expecting to be staying in another caravan park and not minding because that’s what we always do but instead dad tricked us all and pulled up at a holiday unit. I don’t think I have ever been so happy to see an actual bed, surrounded by hard walls and an actual window in my whole life. It’s amazing what you miss.

We spent the first few days not really doing much but then on Thursday we went on a snorkelling tour. We took a glass bottom boat out to the snorkelling area witch was great because we got to see everything that was going on underneath us, including seeing a massive turtle. The snorkelling was great, fish were everywhere, and mum and I also came across 3 massive sting rays.

 

Since I was 11 I had wanted to swim with the Whale sharks and I still really can’t believe that I did. We took off on Friday morning with Ningaloo Blue. No part of the trip can be described correctly in words. It was far beyond amazing. The water was dead flat, glass like nearly. Dolphins played in front of the boat on the way out to the first snorkel spot.

The snorkelling spot was like fish heaven. It was about 5 meters deep and a fair way from land but not for a second did I fear sharks, it was so calming and you just felt safe. .  I spent more time under water then on top. The fish didn’t even seem to care about how close you were to them. The 1000 year old bombies (brain coral) were like something you would see in outta space. We swam for about 1 hour before we got back onto the boat to go and find some big sharks

 

I am not going to try and explain how amazing it actually is to see the biggest fish in the sea swimming towards you. Even though there were 10 other people in the water with you, you felt alone. We jumped off the boat with the ocean depth at 62 meters, sounds scary but I didn’t even care about it. Once we saw the shark we went into some form of organised chaos. Everyone swimming as fast as they could to try and keep up with the gentle giant who didn’t even seem to recognise we were there.

We did that 5 times and every single time it legitimately took my breath away. After our 5^th jump everyone on the boat was exhausted. Coming off the biggest adrenaline rush I had ever felt was like hitting a wall. Mind you that didn’t stop me from one last snorkel before we headed back to shore.

I know for a fact that I will never ever experience anything as amazing as that and I would do anything to go back.