Tuesday 20^th March, 2012

Early in the morning we went with a bus to the harbour. First we boarded a glass boat were we could see the floor of the sea for just 3 minutes. Then we boarded the excursion boat. About 20 persons took part of the trip. Through big waves we went to the reef. Equipped with snorkel and flippers we went into the water. Immediately I got a bit panic and thought: “what I am doing here!” Every time while breathing in I got salt water into the mouth. I let me bring back to the tour boat by the safety boat. I explained the problem and I got first an explanation how to breath. As I told them that I think that the snorkel has a defect, I got a new one. After I did not have any problems anymore and I could maze at the beautiful corals and fishes. I am fascinated every time of the world below the water, I also completely loose the sense of time. After a small snack we continued. We were looking for the biggest fish of the world. This is the whale shark which can get up to 18 m long. They come to the Ningaloo Reef when the corals release their seeds in March and April. I felt a bit crumbly as these animals are gigantic. On my first jump into the water I just got a glimpse and the whale shark was gone. The second time I could watch the guy from the side. There were another two swims where I could see the animal very good. It was impressive to swim with them. We saw 5 whale sharks and the sixth one dived away as soon a we spotted him. After lunch we went to another beautiful snorkelling place. Here I could peacefully observe the fishes. This was a very impressive day for me.

Sunday 18^th March, 2012

Already shortly after 8am we went with snorkel, diving mask and flippers into the sea. In Coral Bay the Ningaloo Reef is sometimes less than 500 m away from the beach. We saw many fishes, small and big ones, more and less colourful ones. After 45 minutes we made a rest as we got a bit cool. After we warmed up in the sun, we went out to the another time and observed the corals and the fishes. We lost the feeling for time as soon as we were in the water and stayed again until we got cool. We warmed us up again on the beach. We were already a bit tired, but still we wanted to do another short swim. That time we did not get that far and already saw the corals and the fishes. At one moment Sandra waved me as she found many different fishes. Funny was that we could watch them nibbling the corals. In the water this sounded like a file drawn over wood. Sometimes it sounded like someone is cutting his toe nails. I started again freezing and left the water. Sandra stayed for another while, but after it was enough for today and we returned the rented material. After a last view to the beach of Coral Bay we continued driving.

After a few kilometers we saw again many termite mounds. We drove about 100 km until there was no termite mound to see anymore. After 70 km there was a sign pointing to a termite mound. We think that must be Australian humour as they were all over since a while. Arrived in Exmouth we looked again for a camping and, already quite tired, spent there the rest of the day there.