When Stanford conquered Heron Island ...

Heron Island was just fantastic!!!

Heron Island from the boat

Corals at the bottom of the sea

We arrived at Heron Island about two weeks ago after spending some time in Port Douglas. We left Port Douglas to travel to Gladstone by a sleeper train. For most of us in the group, this was the first time in a sleeper train. The train had different cabins, and in each cabin there where three bunk beds, which could be used as couches during the day, and beds at night, and also a sink in the cabin. I was in a cabin with two other girls, and the journey started very early in the morning. We were going to be on the train for 26 hours. However, this was about to be the best journey yet. We all started by being studious and trying to catch up on our Targeted Research Projects (TRP). But, that did not last a while. Soon, I was moving around the train, visiting people in their cabins, having morning tea, watching a movie, having a break for lunch, playing a game of cards, and trying to get back to studying again, and by this time is was after 5pm. The train was moving slowly but surely through the beautiful countryside filled with Eucalyptus trees that spread out into the sclerophyll forests. At night time after having a sumptuous dinner on the train, and hanging out with friends it was time for another movie before we all fell asleep at the sounds of the train wheels honking and clonking all the way to Gladstone.

Tracy and Abby snorkeling in the open ocean 

Postcard perfect - Heron Island beach

Finally, we were at the Gladstone Marina the next morning waiting for the boat to Heron Island. We were all very much excited, and after taking our seasickness medicine, we felt ready to conquer the opens seas. Maybe not! Half of our group still suffered seasickness despite having taken medication. I was super excited for the trip, I hung out with my friend upstairs and outside to watch the graceful and sometimes terrific waves. Then, when the boat started to swerve from side to side and my stomach with it, I knew that the motion was slowly getting to me. Soon, I succumbed to seasickness and lay on the floor wishing the 2hour-ride would end very soon. Finally, we arrived at the Heron Island jetty, and we were more excited to land on firm ground, than to see the beautiful, small, and remote island appear in the horizon. To say Heron Island is beautiful is an understatement, because the place is like a dream come true. The first day we arrived, after all the health and safety introductions, we all set out to our rooms, had lunch, collected our snorkel gear and by 3pm, we were out on the beach front ready to embark on snorkeling at high tide. This was going to be my first time snorkeling. I was slowly but surely freaking out and praying that I will survive. As I stood there, I heard my name being called and I was assigned to a group with Professor Kevin. 

Out into the waters everybody went. The water was so cold, omg!! I went into the water for the first time, and my expression said it all…It was too cold, I was scared and I just wanted to give up right then. But, deep down, I wanted to experience the beauty and novelty of something new. As I watched seven of my team members’ swim out to Kevin in order to demonstrate their skills, I just stood there waiting, waiting and waiting. Finally, Kevin came to give me a hand and allowed me to test out my gear whilst holding onto his hands. Soon, he was slowly leading me out to the ocean, staying as close to the shallow waters as possible. And then I saw it. The reef flat was swarming with schools of damsel fish, parrotfish, clams, hard and soft corals, sea hares, sea cucumbers, sea stars, sting rays etc to name a few. It was beautiful, amazing, terrific, astounding and just pure excellent. I had never been on the waters before, and soon all fear was forgotten as I began to experience the thrill of seeing such awesome things in the ocean. This was my first day at Heron Island Research Station!

Happy Feet