Above is the route Jeff and I took through Australia. Port Douglas is in the northeast. If you click on the map, it will go to another screen to give a better look. Port Douglas sits about where Portland, Maine sits in the USA.
Below is a picture of our charter boat, Wavelength. It was a snorkel-only cruise, and we swam above three different reefs that day. It was like hovering over a magical kingdom.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWe8LpiL5Zuumy3UxtGslDcWTtroUHDhCzgiTEpgHKuVDpztKn7X3_p1Y1XZQAqroPVkePltyHWHUV4oWQOw2KO3AMAgD8bOJBDGRlxvB8unAaHBUfHHwK8eYK0_VxPg3Ej9pjlijqRLZs/s320/The+Wavelength+in+Port+Douglas,+QLD.jpg)
Below is a picture of one of the larger three-decker dive/snorkel boats.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_-pWrt6tgKbA-KM6cMkxkuWoatihCf20Bu4DZnsDoGIGy8GgCRivmhqwb4ahNcv2D9gj8cTeZmn8e5ekgCYX_1c6JVZ4Vw_Sw3C6P8RLVjmIH2QLoruzZE4LxXKKTNXTJLT4hbEcwFXt/s320/GBR+Dive+boats+in+Port+Douglas,+QLD.jpg)
Below is a picture of two World Heritage Areas (National Parks), where the rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbKeqdcEE5pnD5j0-2NhGHA2yHas5xqaWRwS9QUVS3lOOnPIJKDacfN4ppmZBVebrXb0X-GDZz3EF-ZXMfOsqur6tvflEkzmLbWEYjjsP0ksC7xZGDCasjR-P2iSvwTBJpkWiXuKn0yBP/s320/Port+Douglas,+QLD+Seaside.jpg)
Our last snorkel was filled with colorful fish and coral. The Great Barrier Reef earns it's title every single day. What a thrill it was to experience this global treasure. I highly recommend it!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxZyhKVa1Qbb7jEhR6oa6kEi5irqIyJq96LISoqiWQkxF0pqM3QbC4eb2sjJNvunhMFZopnWniDV0SGPBNCEo3Hmqhtcs0sHE72uasHDQ0g1hC1ZoNip9hq5rlfPlyGIXLuL6IrKh4igh/s320/msnbc+GBR+fish.jpg)
While in Port Douglas, we stayed at a youth hostel called Coconut Grove Budget Accommodations in the heart of town. When I looked it up on the Internet, I saw that it's been remodeled slightly. Check it out here. It's still the Coconut Grove, but with an entirely new look. Now that's a resort!!