December 26 - Australia: Cairns

Cliff and Jon at 7:00AM on Sea Quest

Our second day of work!  Today, we got more of a grip on what's what and who's who on the boat.  We feel a bit more secure for what to do, but we're a long way away from tying the correct knots on the lines.  

Snorkel Guide

I  was snorkel guide for both dives, and Jon was lookout.  There was one high-maintenance snorkeler: an older woman who didn't kick her fins.  The current on the reef was pretty strong, so each time I looked up she had drifted further away and was trying to use her arms to get back.  A lot of good that's going to do!  So I ended up towing her around the reef.  Her daughter, Sam, was about my age and reminded me of Laura from Tibet/Nepal.  Sam saw me doing some free diving and wanted me to teach her, so I gave her my weight belt and showed her what to do.  It was really gratifying to watch her get the hang of it and improve each time she dove!  I really can't wait to start instructing.  This is what I get for being the daughter of a teacher.

The front of the Sea Quest

After we docked back in Cairns, we gave the boat a full washing.  And I mean FULL WASHING.  Top-to-bottom, inside and out.  This vessel sparkled.  Deep Sea Diver's Den ain't kidding around with their standards.  

Of course, Jon and I were exhausted by the time we got home.  Dinner was a plethora (and a hodge-podge) of leftovers from various dinners before: leftover turkey, leftover Mexican, leftover Thai food.  But we ate it all and made a significant dent in our overflowing 'fridge.

We were asleep by 10:00.  So pathetic, but it's amazing how physically draining the boat-work is!