Day 8 Port Stephens & Day 9 Irukandji Shark and Ray Centre

Day 8

Shark photos now posted, quality not as sharp as desrired

Big rain today so we drove around the bays; Shoal Bay, Fingle Bay and Nelsons Bay. Pretty but seen on a wet day is never quite ideal I expect but it’s obvious why it’s a very popular holiday area. Being sensible girls we took advantage of the impressive rain to treat ourselves to some Therapy. Rachel opted for Reflexology and I had an Aromatherapy Massage.

The Kiwi couple who ran the tidy and very pleasant little unit did a grand job. I told my lady about the hilarious Tracey Ullman TV programme and the comic sketches set in the Massage Parlour. She then told me of another sketch about a therapist just going out to replenish the Gold Star Mud which she was using : she went out to the backyard and dug some out of the garden. We had a good laugh.

Rachel and I both felt that our therapists did more than expected. I certainly appreciated the level of massage I received. She also recommended a particular audio which aids the winding down an active brain before falling asleep. I wrote it down on the leaflet which I have duly left at the apartment. I will try to find it- YouTube meditation - something-delta!

We had a swim around the block when returned to the apartment which was delightful. Then the sun chose to come out so we sneaked in a drink at The Maverick Bar by the Port. Dinner was a fratatta, nice and light, (we had been stupidly greedy at lunchtime and added chips to our more than adequate sandwich) and we watched Black Mass with a not quite so gorgeous Johnny Depp. Dozed off before it ended.

No cockroach sightings tonight although I did leave the door ajar should any wish to escape, and no I wasn’t concerned that a new one might venture in.

Day 9

This is a post mainly about the Shark and Ray Centre. The website is worth a look as my photo techie issues are slowing things down .

We had a swim before breakfast, cleaned, packed and did some more sightseeing.

But before  the drive back we had a lovely experience which won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

Irukandji The Shark and Ray Centre .

Do check out the link. This was a fantastic experience for many reasons.

The fish are rescue and you can really see the educational benefits to a set up like this.

When we arrived about 60 Primary Year 3 or 4 children were just leaving. ( now that was a bonus). I suspect they only observed or possibly fed the small rays.

We choose the top price option, maybe £20, for fully kitted in wetsuit, choice of long legs or shorts. At this point my enthusiasm wavered and I asked for the long legs. The chap (he is the man in the main photo in the water tank) suggested that you can only feel the rays and sharks touching you and gliding between your legs if you have the shorts version of the wetsuit.

I agreed.

So Rachel and I got kitted out and got into the big tanks with very beautiful and quite affectionate, maybe just greedy,  little to medium sharks and Rays.

I was cross with myself because I then became somewhat wimpy.  I grimaced and closed my eyes for the first 10 minutes as the creatures brushed past, swam between my legs but I soon was successful in feeding them.  The sharks are fed quite easily as you just place your feeder stick just under their mouth.  The rays are a tiny bit trickier as you have to get the feeder under their face as their  mouth is underneath.

It was a real experience. Also the big ray was brought to us as we crouched down at the side of the pool, hands by our sides; the ray glided side on over our body as she followed the guide who was coaxing her with food. It seemed quickly and professionally done. Enjoyed it.

We then were moved along to a protected area.  We punters although still in the water, were protected by a mesh barrier while Fiona our guide fed some much bigger sharks. They were gentle and calm and although rough to the touch, quite beautiful and non scary.  We were of course educated about the Why  sharks occasionally attack.

1. We are in their environment.
2. We can look like seals dressed in wetsuits – a main food for them.
3. We can look like turtles when we are on surf boards with legs dangling -another food source.

We were then taken to the tank with ALL the baby rays. My oh my are they cute, friendly and hungry. We had great fun as we were confident and laughing and enjoying.

Journened home afterwards and had a good nights sleep and a shower- none at the centre!