Australia�s Far North Barrier Reef, EASTERN FIELDS, and TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE

Pack your dive gear, photography equipment and sense of adventure as Reef & Rainforest takes you to the elusive Eastern Fields and Far North Barrier Reef. Along the way, you�ll be among the lucky few in perfect position to view and photograph a total solar eclipse. Diving the pristine waters of the Eastern Fields is the epitome of exotic diving. If you need a cure for the �been there, done that� blues, you will no doubt find it on this trip. Get side-by-side instruction from professional photographer Mark Strickland and astronomy professor Greg Becker as they help you capture the most awe-inspiring spectacles of nature.

Lying in the Coral Sea roughly midway between Australia and Papua New Guinea, the Eastern Fields are not often visited, yet are held in highest regard by knowledgeable divers. Here you�ll experience isolated reefs that rise dramatically from four thousand foot depths to sun-drenched shallows, allowing the excitement of open-sea diving without the need to go deep. Far from any land mass, these waters are unaffected by coastal runoff, resulting in typically superb visibility. However, frequent upwellings do provide ample nutrients to support an incredible spectrum of marine life ranging from huge fans, soft and hard corals, to masses of schooling fish to brilliant reef species, both fish and invertebrates. Diving here, you�ll be completely awed by the reef ecosystem and food chain before you.

Passengers will stay aboard The Spirit of Freedom, one of Australia�s largest AND MOST LUXURIOUS live-aboard dive vessels. The Spirit features electronic stabilizers, wide screen TV/DVD, comfortable lounge areas, a sun deck and spacious cabins with in-suite bathrooms. The atmosphere is more like a private motor yacht than a dive boat! The Spirit has all the comforts of a hotel and will impress even the most discerning diver.

On your way to and from the Eastern Fields, you�ll have the opportunity to dive at the best places the Great Barrier Reef has to offer. Whether it�s capturing a shot of a massive potato cod at the famous Cod Hole or marveling at the coral gardens and fish life of the renowned Ribbon Reefs, you�ll be amazed by the variety and quantity of marine life. Another site you won�t soon forget is Raine Island--the largest and most important green sea turtle nesting area in the world. Up to 80,000 of the ancient creatures visit this tiny island in a good year, with in-water sightings of over 250 turtles being common during the December peak season.

For underwater photographers, there is no better way to advance your skill development, learn how to use your camera to the best of its abilities, tap into the knowledge base of seasoned professional photographers, and experience the camaraderie and passion of fellow ocean lovers than signing up for a Reef & Rainforest photo expedition. Join us for this trip of a lifetime and come home with a hard drive full of mesmerizing images.

**Priced based on Australian Dollar and are subject to change.

Spirit of Freedom was custom built for long range cruising and to optimize passenger comfort to the sea conditions of the Coral Sea region. Design features such as the specific length of the vessel, combined with electronic stabilizers ensure maximum sea keeping capability for greatest passenger comfort.

Designed to ensure time spent is aboard, is enjoyed in comfort, the dive deck is spacious, the top deck has sun lounges for your relaxation, the forward lounge has comfortable seating, the saloon has work stations for your convenience and the licensed bar stocks a good range of beverages for your enjoyment.

Spirit of Freedom contains 11 guest cabins, all with private bathroom. There are various different cabin styles and price points to best suit your requirements. All cabins are air-conditioned and are serviced each day.

The Ocean View Deluxe cabin is located on the top deck with internal stairwell access to the main deck, as well as external access to the top deck and dive deck. It is a spacious 8.5 square meters in area (not including the bathroom, an additional 2 sq mtrs) and contains a double bed, bed side tables, writing desk, wardrobe, and 26" flat screen TV & DVD player.

The Ocean View Standard cabin is located on the top deck with internal stairwell access to the main deck, as well as external access to the top deck and dive deck. It is 5.2 square meters in area (not including bathroom, an additional 2 sq mtrs) and contains a double bed, a wardrobe, and 26” flat screen TV & DVD player.

The Stateroom cabin is located in a private area on the lower deck, close to the dive deck and dining saloon. It is a spacious 9.2 square meters in area (not including bathroom, an additional 2.8 sq mtrs) and contains a queen size bed, extra shelving, wardrobe, bed side tables and 26" flat screen TV & DVD player.

Spirit of Freedom has six standard double or twin share cabins. Five of these cabins contain a double bed with a single bed over the top, bunk style, however one cabin contains just a double bed, so be sure to advise your preference for double or twin share when placing your booking. These cabins are located on the lower deck, with easy access to the main deck. They are an average 7.2 square meters in area, (not including bathroom, an additional 1.8 sq mtrs), are fully air-conditioned and also contain a wardrobe and bed side table.

There are two quad share cabins, each containing four single beds, bunk style. These cabins are located mid ships on the lower deck, with easy access to the main deck. They are each 7.2 square meters in area, (not including bathroom, an additional 1.8 sq mtrs).

As our guest on board Spirit of Freedom you are free to enjoy your own diving style, within the boundaries of safe and responsible diving. As such no limits are set on time, depth or style of diving outside of normal safe diving practices.

The dive deck contains individual stations for 26 guests with dry storage above and a storage box under for every 2 divers. Air and Nitrox whips allow tanks to remain in their rack, supplying air and Nitrox at 32%.

Fresh water showers are located aft of the dive deck, and deck towels are provided after each dive.

From a bird's eye point of view the Great Barrier Reef appears a labyrinth of blue and green embracing the tropical coast of Queensland. Stretching some 2,000km (1,240 miles) along the north eastern Australia coastline, the reef is comprised of approximately 2,900 individual coral reefs and covers an area greater than the size of the UK.

Beyond the continental shelf that harbors the Great Barrier Reef, lie the isolated reef systems and crystal clear waters of Australia's Coral Sea. The region covers over 1 million square kilometers - three times the size of the neighboring Great Barrier Reef. Here ancient mountains provide a undersea landscape of sheer walls rising from the oceans floor, where sharks and massive schools of pelagic fish emerge from the depths.

For photographers, in the forward lounge there is a camera work station with power-boards and converters for 110 Volt. On the dive deck there is a camera wash tub, small camera table and air gun.

Mark Strickland’s life-long interest in the sea has included over 10,000 dives and careers as lifeguard, boat captain and scuba instructor. His passion for underwater photography has led him to many top dive locales, including Thailand, where he spent 17 years as Cruise Director on a series of live-aboards. An avid marine naturalist, Mark has discovered several nudibranch species. He is co-author and principle photographer for Lonely Planet’s award-winning book, “Diving and Snorkeling Thailand”, and his work appears in many magazines, books and displays around the world. Currently, Mark leads several dive trips each year to his favorite destinations, while working on a career-spanning large-format pictorial book. For a sampling of Mark’s work, visit www.markstrickland.com

Greg Becker is a former Tacoma Community College instructor in Astronomy, Geology, and Chemistry. His energy and flair for story telling has captivated students over a decade. Greg believes that the natural sciences should be accessible and enjoyable for everyone and increasing science literacy may be one of the most important endeavors in our increasingly technological society.

Over the same period, Greg has shared his love of science with thousands of high school students at Gig Harbor High School and Moses Lake High School which are both located in Washington state.

Greg holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Physical Science from Washington State University as well as a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Business Administration from the same university. Greg is currently a candidate seeking his National Board Certification in Adult and Adolescent Earth and Space Science.