Wind, wind & more wind

The gorgeous Blue Lagoon

We've now been at Lizard Island for six days and the 25 to 30 knots of wind has not let up for a moment. As a whole, the days have been fairly sunny and warm so we've been able to get into the water to do some snorkelling but I have to confess, Great Barrier Reef or not, there's not much to see down there.

I'm sure had we managed a trip out to the reef's edge (at a few thousand dollars) we would have seen some of the good stuff but we'll just have to be content with this as that is so far beyond our budget and once we leave here it won't be possible to do any more swimming due to the 'salties'.

On one of the nicer days, we did attempt to go right around to the south side of the island into the Blue Lagoon where there's some more colourful hard corals but, unfortunately, the current was far too strong to swim against and we were exhausted after only a couple of minutes. It looked promising but we just couldn't fight the currents.

Instead, we decided to climb the mountain to Cook's Lookout, the peak where, in 1770, in desperation to find a way out of the reefs, Captain Cook climbed to the top and saw "a reef of rocks ...extending farther than I could see...upon which the sea broke in a dreadful surf" but, from there, did manage to see a narrow break off in the distance, now called Cook's Passage.

The initial path was quite a hectic climb, scrambling over steep sheets of granite to work our way upwards. It made me realise I'm not quite as fit as I should be - too much time sitting on a boat. However, it was worth the climb and the scenery from the top was spectacular.

I must say, our admiration for Cook has multiplied tenfold every time we use all our gadgetry, reference books and guides to work our way through these reefs and islands. He was in a square-rigger with no such luxuries or even any idea of what to expect around the next bend and he lived to tell the tale (well at least this part of it).

Time to press on, I think we'll leave in the wee hours of the morning to make further progress towards Cape York.

PHOTO GALLERY:

Cook history abounds around these parts

Medicinal uses? - I don't think so thanks

A Yungah nest

In case you can't read the sign, it says "Yungah Green ants: Yungah nests are broken up and crushed in salty water. The milky fluid can be drunk as a cure for colds and flu. Formic acid in the ants promotes coughing and clears the lungs."

   



   

The scene from the top where Cook found the passage out

Signing the guest book at the top

The lizards after which Cook named the island

One of the giant clams near the anchorage

Nemo & friend

Paul busy scraping the hull - no crocs he hoped