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Published: April 30th 2008
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our boat
All that boat and just 9 of us, amazing WWWOOOWWW!!!!!!!!!!
As i sit hear staring at the screen, i feel like the world is swaying side to side, and my sea legs are just getting used to life back on dry land. Not that we had rough sea at all, but the effects are still present. We only docked about 2 hours ago, and we couldn't wait to share our adventures with you all, so we came straight to the net. Im not joking when i say iv just had the best 3 days of my life. A huge statement, but a completely realistic one. Sailing the whitsundays was out of this world, truelly mind blowing, i honestly don't know where to start, but here goes.
We arrived at the marina at 1p.m on sun, and were soon met by the crew and other guests. We had booked up for a 3 night sailing trip around the whitsundays, and out to the great barrier reef, aboard Pacific Sunrise. We had spent a few hours with travel agents until settling on the best trip available. It was a huge boat, with a max capacity of 17 guests, had 5 star food and service. Sure it cost more than the
rest, but we wanted a personal, intimate experience, and we got far more than that, so it was money well spent. Although we did get a deal!! We booked on sat afternoon, to sail on sun, so got a late booking deal, with a couple 100 dollars off the price. But not only that, we actually could chose between a shared 3 bunkbed cabin or a private double. The bunk room a couple 100 cheaper than the twin. The travel agent said that only 6 were booked on the criuse, and the bunk room had no one booked in, and the chances of a solo traveler turning up in the next few hours to book was remote, and if one did book in we may get up graded as there were 5 cabinds still unbooked. so we took the risk and booked the cheap bunk room, thinking we'd be alone. But when we turned up, there we 9 guests, and we were going to be sharing with one of them as he booked last min, for the cheaper bunk room. But to are delight, we were upgraded to a suite private double, for no extra cost, great hey!!!!!
we
went aboard and had an introduction/meeting with the crew and other guests, and all sat and started to get to know each other. We set sail and just chilled, exploring the boat and getting to know everyone. The boat was designed to carry 17 guest and there were only 9 of us, so we were all excited and knew we'd have great personal service, and huge amounts of space. Our first impressions were mindblowing. The boat was huge, and so elegant, and the crew and guests were so lovely, we just thought "this is gonna be unreal". That night we anchored in a small bay at 5 pm and all went swimming. They kicked the sail boom out over the sea and had a rope swing off of the end, so we all went swinging into the water and jumping of the side of the boat. it was so cool. We already felt so relaxed in everyones company, and it was obvious that we would all get on really well. We then showered, and had nibbles and champayne on the top deck as the sunset. It was beautiful, and we were all grinning ear to ear. The group was made
huge fish
They were so big, and we not scared of us. Such an amazing experience of of 4 parties, me and soph, roger and gale (a welsh couple), carl (a perth born ozzy), and 4 canadian girls, named D, Dhia, almany and serita. They were all so nice and we made great friends with them all by the end of the trip. To our suprise, dinner was 3 course, and we had some lovely fish, but i can't remember what it was called. Leon, the chef was out satnding. We've never ate so much and so well in our lives, he really was an awesome chef, and a great guy. The crew were all lovely, and were part of the gang, rather than just there to do their job. Sam was the hostest, Leon the chef, Shawn, the deck hand, and greg was the captain. All really nice people.
On day 2 we headed out to the reef, in the most amzing sea conditions. We were 4 hours sail from land, and yet we could have been on a lake, the water was completely still, not a single ripple. We had to motor most of our journey as the weather was so calm we couldn't sail. We got to the reef at about 9
am, and instantly were surrounded by huge fish that looked like sharks. Me and carl were so keen for the snorkelling we just grabbed our snorkels and dived in to see them. We then got into the tender boat and did a snorkel on the reef (after a huge fry up), and it was so much better than the reef off of Cairns. We though Cairns was amazing, but this was even better. Within 1 minute of being in the water me and carl had seen 4 sharks. They were so nice to see, sophie even saw one later on. The coral and the fish were amazing. We had went back to the boat for lunch (steak done on the bbq, honestly we ate like kings), then snorkelled the afternoon away. On the second trip we saw TURTLES. We were so excited. I got some great close photos on the underwater camera, so i hope they come out. The turtles were huge, and swam so gracefully. We were all overwelmed at the setting and the awesome underwater world. The weather was stunning and we felt like we were in a dream. I honestly can't explain enough how beautiful it all
dream world
You were just lost in a sea and sky of beauty was. We then motored back to the whitsunday islands around 5 pm, whilst having snacks and beers.I can't remember what was for dinner, but it would have been wonderful, and far too much of it, ha. We all had a few beers that night aswel, as it was seritas 25th birthday.
On day three we went snorkelling again in the morning, but on some different reef. It was known as "fringe reef" as it was surrounding the islands, not out to sea in the open water. Again it was great. We followed this a with a sea kayak. We went around the bay, and landed on a remote beach, which was nice. On the paddle back to the boat, two turtles swam with us, poping their heads up to breath, and swimming just under the surface. They were so big, but were cute. That afternoon we went onto whitsunday island, and went on a bush walk up to a lovely look out. The view looked across the water to whithaven beach, with crystal waters and white sands. it was very pretty but the sun had gone in a bit, which spoilt the colours a bit, but it was dreamy.
We walked down to the beach, and played some cricket on the white, fine sands, and went for a swim in the warm ocean, before heading back to the boat for more afternoon tea, and beer. That night we had tappas. Me or soph had never had tapas, and we had 10 coarses, spaced out well, to let it go down. We were all stuffed by coarse 7 so leon didn't cook the last 3, but we still all managed the desert, ha ha. We all sat together for every meal, and had really bonded, which was lovely. we made some lovely friends, and think everyone felt the same towards us, ha ha. The final morning (today) we woke to pancakes for breaky, and the wind had picked up enough to put the sales up for the journey home. we were all sad to be heading back to land, and knew we'd all had one off the most amazing experiences of our lives. Memories that we'll take with us to our graves.
So now we do not know what to do with ourselves, we are gonna look at our plans tonight and sort out what we are gonna get
up to. prob not spend much money as we have done the last few weeks.
We want to wish both Auntie trudie and kady special birthdays. thinking of you on your special day. We do not have any fancy pics for you sorry, but we have sung for you over tea!!!!!!!! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU BOTH.
LOTS OF LOVE ALWAYS FROM SOPH AND MART XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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Kady
non-member comment
Thanks guys
Hey guys thanks for my birthday message, that boat looks amazing, how nice is that to have between just 9 of you luxury. Well i am looking forward to my birthday celebrations there is lots of eating and drinking involved. Tonight i am out for tea with my mum, dad, bro and stefan, then tomorrow i am shopping then going for a curry with all the girls (wish you were there soph) then sat night i am out for a meal with Stefan and sunday we are all round sam and liams for a bbq to celebrate her birthday too. So lots of nice celebrations. Martin i must say i hope you win the bet and treat soph to a luxury dinner after she has had to put up with a fluffy beard on your face ha. Hope you win the bet! Anyway got to go. ill write soon. Thanks again for the message Kady xxx