COCOS KEELING ISLANDS (cont)

Geoff's glass bottom boat -----

Hey everyone, Meet Geoff (no not the guy with the check shirt, that's Steve),

Geoff collected us all outside Dory's cafe in the Morning and we headed down to the old jetty where we launched the boat off the beach and clamboured aboard.  We headed out into the waves in the lagoon (Greg, myself, Steve, Ken and Ross with our trusty Capt. Geoff). 

What he had in store for us we were to find out soon..... no secrets passed onto us to enlighten our already effervescent mood I must say.......

As we headed out we saw on the horizon of this magical torquoise sea island after island after island separated by small gaps of ocean and waves.  Pure heaven!




Prison Island (our first destination)

As we travelled along towards Prison Island, Geoff explained a lot about the marine environment here and answered a million questions from us all.  Also a diver, and a resident here of over 20 years, Geoff had a lot of information for us and explained the lagoon situation and the outside reef areas and how they interact with the islands.  He also was able to explain the gentleness of the black-tip reef sharks and the grey reef sharks, just so we knew not to be too afraid if they came up for a cuddle or a tickle!!!!!!





Greg's okay, but not too sure about cuddling one of those sharks he's talking about *lol* even if they are only about a metre long or so!



Quenching a thirst on Prison Island while Geoff explains the intricacies of Island life to us all.

 The

            most

                    wonderful

                                driftwood

large, small, in-between sizes (just waiting for an artistic hand to pick it up for a display *lol*)



Just here we snorkelled in a light current checking out fish, corals and beche-der-mere
Directly across from this spot is a much stronger current from the ocean which unless you are a strong swimmer you probably wouldn't risk snorkelling there.


Leaving Prison Island and heading over towards Direction Island, we were able to take a little time to snorkel in deeper water, around the brocholli coral patch.

As I headed over to have a look at this cutie, Greg (in charge of the underwater camera and my safety I might add),

neglected to mention/motion to me that this was in my area of interest!!

nor  this...............

and of course if he missed   those two why on earth would he mention this one either .
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They actually are very cute and cuddly (well, maybe not cuddly!)





Direction Island showing the jetty where the ferry drops people off from West Island on day trips.



Here are these cute guys again. 

We had a mix of black-tipped reef sharks and the grey reef sharks.





This was as close to a cuddle I got today :)







We noticed that the grey reef shark is much more timid than the black-tips, but they are both very calm sharks I must say.

Most people swim without any concern from them, but still keep a healthy respect for them also.

Geoff certainly gave us a grand day today and we would have to say his trip would have to be one of the best we have had to date.

Next up Karen's photography and Kylie & Ash's Canoes..............