Today was all about SCUBA diving and snorkelling on the Ningaloo Reef, a place that gives the Great Barrier Reef a run for its money. So spectacular. Most proud of my travelling companion who came on the dive trip and snorkelled two reefs and two other occasions to view the wonderful manta ray. She saw turtles (see below, thanks to kind Amy from Sydney), reef sharks and plenty of fish and coral. In this same ocean that we previously tracked a tiger shark by our dive boat.

For me, first time, two scuba dives. Aside from some anxiety, went well. Got the hang of the equalising better in the second dive, buoyancy better too with some weight adjustment and good management by our guide. Still some problems with the mask filling with water but I guess that comes with practice. Two dives enough for this beginner but a sense of accomplishment and one other item crossed off the bucket list. Will I dive again and maybe train for certification? Maybe later, we shall see but requires some agility and as one ages, it gets a bit harder. But a wonderful experience, the reef was beautiful and so many colourful and diverse fish. Also fitted in a snorkel or two to see the manta ray. Wow, this bottom feeder doing her laps with companion fish hanging around her mouth. We had a great view as she swam back and forth, so gently and elegantly.

Then home with a sense of achievement, a little tired and hungry, and ready to just chill out tomorrow. More pictures may follow from our underwater cameraman although that first requires me to juggle Dropbox without my lap top. Lots of workarounds. Meantime enjoy two snapshots of this graceful turtle below. You can also see the reef in the background at depths maybe in the order of 3-5 metres.