Sailing the Whitsundays....

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Where do I Start? So pretty much Kayla and I have decided that Sailing through the Whitsunday Islands is the most relaxing , crazy , beautiful thing we have ever experienced. Kayla and I arrived at Airlie Beach on Sunday , the little town that all the amazing looking sailboats depart from to explore the islands . All together the trip cost us about $270 , and it was worth every penny. We had all of our meals included , accomodation at the resort on the island ..which we stayed on every night after we had a long days of sailing , and a bunch of vouchers for free internet (big bonus ) . There were 32 people on the boat ,plus the hostess Kenzie..who cooked all of our meals for 32 people...she was superwoman. Skipper Dan who was the driver of the boat , and Frank a fellow Yugoslovian who owned the Boat. Jade (name of the boat) was his baby. At first Kayla and I did not know anyone except for 1 irish guy Tom whom was in our hostel room the night before we left. We had an early night Sundays considering we had to be on the boat for 8:30 the next morning for our briefing (safety tips on the boat and whatnot) . at about 10:30ish we set off for our first swim and snorkel , which was also included in the price. Did i mention everyone on the boat had to wear these ridiculous looking stinger suits. Protection from the Jellyfish... they say there are atleast 7-10 shark killings a year , and there are 700 killings/injuries from the jellyfish. There was no way I was jumping in the water without that suit on. Besides...they were kinda sexy , Jamesbondish like. At first I was a little nervous jumping into the open water with the sharks jellyfish etc. around you...and considering we saw two hammerhead sharks 20 minutes before we dove on in.. I was a little distraught. Kayla and I strapped on the goggles and snorkel along with 20 other people and just stayed close.. but saw the most incredible coloured fish , and the most amazing reef and coral. So beautiful , but so sharp. You cant step on the coral or it will cut your foot , and guess whos coming? Jaws. They are attracted to blood so as soon as you get cut by kicking it by accident you have to wave down Frank in the dingy boat to come pick you up. Just my luck... I get the biggest cut our of all the 32 people on the boat. I dont think ive ever hopped out of the water into a dingy boat so fast in my life. hahaha... By the time everyone was finished there snorkeling and eating lunch that Kenzie had made us we set off for Cook Island where we be staying the night . It was about 2-3 hours away , a long and bumpy ride. Kayla and I seemed to be fine with the whole Sea Sickness thing , I just took my motion sickness pills and I was fine. Some people were feeling a little queezy though. As we sailed along.. drinking beers , listening to music , and watching the sunset we knew that we did not want to be anywhere else but there on the boat at that time. We got to cook island , put the anchor down... and stopped for the night , half the people stayed on the boat to sleep and half went to the resort. We all ate dinner ... talked , laughed , sat on the front of Jade then headed for the Island by nightfall. We all showered up and had an early night considering we were in the sun all day , we were pooped. The next morning we were up by 6:30 am. We had to be on the boat by 7:30 to eat breakfast which Superwoman made for everyone on the boat. By 10 oclock when the waves were supposed to be a bit calmer we set off for Whitehaven Beach. Whitehaven is on the list of top 10 beaches in the world. Unfortunately the waves were so big out in the open sea which we had to cross over to get too it.. that Skipper Dan chose to turn around and head out for a different destination. Some people were upset with the fact that we didnt make it , Dans been sailing for 14 years ...when there are 5 meter waves that were going up and down over , I think he knows what is best for our safety . He said it wouldve taken 5 and a half hours to get across to the Beach . This may not be a bad thing if it was smooth sailing , but we were going back and forth like a rocking chair over these waves. Dan took us to these crazy aboriginal caves instead in this tiny bay , where we hung out... had lunch , mooned another boat which drove past us.. and went for a quick swim as well , in our handy dandy stinger suits once again. haha Skipper Dan had all 25 or so of us lined up on one side of the boat mooning this other sailing boat that past us on the count of 3. Such a good time , such a good laugh. At around 4-5 ish we headed back to Cook Island to stay another night. By 6:30-7ish it is pitch black outside so we have to head for the island pretty early so that we could throw the anchor in and have dinner . Seeing as we had spent two days with everyone the boat , we got to know everyone really well. The second night was a lot better in regards to partying and sharing a few laughs. About 20 of us stayed on the island that night , we had some drinks , had some icecream , had a shower to wash the sticky salt water off and cralwled into bed for a good nights sleep in our air conditioned room. The next morning we were up at 7:00 once again , had breakfast....pancakes! Ive never eaten my pancakes with sugar on them but most of the europeans on the boat were putting loads on so I tried it and loved it. MMM the cook set the kitchen on fire which had to be put out with the extinguisher. She wasnt too happy about that , we were all a bit scared as well. It couldve have been a real man overboard situation. haha... We set off for our last day around 10:00. The last day on the boat was probbaly the best in regards to having the most fun. WE really lucked out with the weather along this whole trip considering they were calling for showers. They took us to an Island called Daydream Island where we went Banana Boating on the back of a speed boat. We were in groups of eight. We were with our friends Jess , Wayne , and Pete. Seeing as Wayne is this 22 year old guy who weighs about 140 it was the best time of our lives watching him hold on for his dear life , especially after a few drinks of free wine on the boat. We had a blast going up and over the crazy waves of the ocean with 10 people on this huge banana like tube. It was incredible , and so much fun. We ate lunch then headed off to our last destination and last snorkel of the trip. They took us to a place around the corner on the same island where they were supposed to be some crazy fish. Almost everyone on the boat went snorkeling this time . The skipper Dan was throwing bread in right over top of our heads where we were snorkeling , there were so many fish around me I couldnt even see the person swimming riht next to me. It was a little scary actually considering here touching you everywhere , and you cant escape it , so many beautiful colours though! It was truly amazing! Afterwards we all got back on the boat , and headed back for the mainland . It took about 1 hour to get back from Daydream Island , we were all pooped out from being in the sun for three days , but sad to leave all the new friends we had just made. We docked , said our goodbyes but then saw everyone two hours later at a bar/resort called Reefos. Everyone from the boat , including the cook , skippper and owner met at the resort for some drinks and dancing. We then proceeded to the bars/clubs downtown Airlie Beach where we stayed up all night dancing our little hearts away. Wayne(English) and Max(German) slept on our floor that night seeing as they had no accomodation and didnt want to pay for it. We didnt mind at all we had beds! hha ... we made a packed that we would stay up late enough to go for a gourmet breakfast in the morning which took place at about 7 a.m . Kayla Max and I went to a cafe down the street from the hostel while Wayne was sound asleep on the floor. Lets just say we woke up when it was light out , we slept all day! haha . Whitsundays in my opinion was the best thing we have done so far , it was beautiful , so picture-esk , breathtaking and one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. Im not gonna get too mushy , I just wish everyone could have seen it.
Anyways , thats all for now. Kayla and I have some planning to do for the next week or so.
Love you , Hail and Kayl.

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Photos

SeaSick...Tooheys(Beer)
Yes I had to wear masking tape around my wrists for seasickness , yet I still manage to have a beer in my hand , Rhinos Daughter.

Comments

[Ceilidh Joan Henderson]

So I guess that what is meant by paradise?
As I am about to enter University exam hell. I read your entries and try to picture the ocean the jelly fish the beach and the sexy men! You girls are living the life right now! Hails I am so proud of you for even jumping in the water with those fatal stats. You have both become so adventurous I love it! What else can I say WOW! I'm so jealous but extremely happy for both of you. You to deserve it more than anyone I know! I'll be in Dundas form June 10th until JULY ... Did I hear sauna and skinny dipping in smoke lake?? I miss you to dearly and can't wait for you to recount your adventures for me first hand. I LOVE YOU BFF

[srev]

G-Villle
PICTURRRRES, fuckin eh guys. Man, your tans are almost as sexy as ours. Looks liek you guys are havin an amazing time down there, and so are we up here...is'nt snorkelling the best shit ever. Though in thailand we dotn have to worry about the sharks, or jellyfish, just the razor sharp coral, seein those pics made me happy, casue i can really appreciate the photos as were in the same situation as you guys, but yea man, looks awsome, and we shall look at the blog again soon..."travelblog crew" werd.