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Published: August 6th 2007
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G'day cobbers and cobbettes,
We spent a few days chilling out in Airlie Beach waiting for our sailing boat to take us out round the Whitsundays. We had some friends who I believe made it here and it proceeded to rain, then rain a little more and then continue to rain. Not good form. For us, we have had sunshine, then a little more sunshine with a liberal sprinkling of extra sunshine on top. 30C everyday and beautiful weather. Can't complain. James / Sarah, you would have liked this place if you had decent weather.
We rolled in here early on Monday morning after a short drive up from Mackay. The place is nice. A big backpackery place but very nice and pleasant with it. Our first job was to book a place on a boat out to the Whitsundays. There are about 20 different operators, 50 different boats and they are all subtlely different. Took about an hour but we finally settleed on one for the Thursday. That gave us a few days to chill in Airlie before heading out.
Next up we sorted out our accomodation and we ended up at Koalas on the main strip
with a tent site. For the rest of the afternoon we did a little shopping (Mrs Deane ensured me she needed a new bikini) and saw a little of the town. In the evening we thought we would sample a little of the fine night life on offer. We went to all the main (dubious sounding) locations and marvelled at how young we felt compared to all the other backpackers. We took in Magnums, Morrocos, Beaches and Paddy Shenaningans. The best seemed to be Paddy's as it was a nice Irish bar and fairly quiet.
In Morrocos we were very much amused by the antics of one gentleman (plainly a very territorial local male) and his missus (who fancied herself as a pole dancer). She flirted with every guy and he then threatened them all. After a while and a few drinks she proceeded to pole dance. This was about 9.30pm so a little early for those antics but plenty of amusement for us. We also met a couple of locals who happened to own a bar and they took us off to a VIP bar for a bit as well. A little above our usual standards on this
trip.
After a very long lie in we took a well deserved rest day and spent several hours relaxing by the lagoon in town. The lagoon's really nice and is where all the beautiful people congregate (us included obv.). We followed that up with an equally lazy evening of doing nothing and retiring early.
Up very early on Wednesday as we had a little day trip out. We were off to Bowen. There's only 2 reasons to go to Bowen. I'm talking real reasons - not stunning beaches (although it does have several) or historic sights (it is the mural capital of Oz).
Reason 1: The Big Mango. It's 10m tall and cost an incredible A$90,000 to build. The funniest thing about it is that there was a big fuss when it was first unveiled as to whether it was actually built upside down. I've yet to make up my mind as I'm not sure what the correct way round for a mango is.
Reason 2: Hollywood is in town. Baz Luhrman is directing 'Australia' starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman and the filming is currently in Bowen. I scented a perfect stalking, sorry, sight seeing
opportunity so off we went.
After ticking the big mango off we enquired at the tourist info place as to where the set was and headed over. They've closed a huge section of the town off and rebuilt a 1939 version of Darwin right there in the town. You can get reasonably close and we were able to have a pint in the building used as one of the main streets. We think we may have seen a couple of the stars too, rehearsing a couple of shots. We were informed that there was due to be a big bull run right through town in the afternoon so we thought we would see a little of the rest of town before settling down to watch that.
We went out to the main two lookouts over town to get a decent view of the place including the sea, beaches, town, etc and then headed over to the beach to eat our pie picnic. We had purchased these in the town and they had gone all out to welcome Hollywood. For example, Mrs Deane ate a Jackman pie (made from 100% Hunky Aussie Beef so we were led to believe).
Had a quick swim in Rose Bay which was very nice - found out later that Hugh and the other main lead male were swimming in the beach next door that morning. Mrs Deane was not amused to miss out on that.
We then headed back into town and watched them shoot a few scenes from a little distance. We think we saw Nicole but we're not certain. Quite amusing to be surrounded by about half a dozen papparrazzi folk with their enormous zoom lenses. They look as sleazy in real life as you would imagine them to be. It dawned on us that the cattle run wasn't going to happen (the time got moved from 1.30pm to 2.30pm to 3.30pm to 5.00pm) so we called it a day on our stalking and headed back to Airlie.
When we got back we went to confirm our boat trip. DISASTER. They cancelled it. We then had to spend another entire hour pouring over a much more limited (due to timescales) choice. Finally got something which should end up even posher at the same price so can't complain too much. It does mean we're around for an extra day here
though so had to fit in another chilled day.
After a quick dinner we went out to watch the State Of Origin game. It's rugby league where Queensland plays New South Wales. The equivelant of a North vs South in the Premiership I suppose. Very good game. I took Qld and Mrs Deane NSW. The atmosphere was great. A little better than my one man FA Cup final viewing a few days ago and Queensland won 25 - 18 after being 12 behind at half time. After the game we headed back to the tent for a night of blissful sleep.
Woken at 4.45am by very raucous singing from a few plastic scousers who were just settling down to watch the European Cup final. I had planned to be on a boat, miles from civilisation while this was on. Turned out ok - I dozed very soothingly to the sounds of distressed scousers as they lost 2-1. I heard every @#$@#% and every other @#$$% as joyous sounds of their defeat. Mr Rafa McManus, Spendlovski, Mrs Deane-Mum and Mr Chevy - sorry.
We have spent today in a reasonably relaxed frame of mind. Took the car out
to Dingo Beach for breakfast. Once we were there we realised there was nowhere to serve us breakfast. Good thing we go everywhere prepared - we sat and ate our 2 apples gazing out over the sea. Headed next to Hideaway Bay which is very appropriately named. Hidden about 30km down a dusty, lonely track. Nowhere for breakfast here either. Backtracked to Proserpine where I was finally rewarded with a big breakfast - two eggs, two bacon, sausage, 4 slices of toast, fried tomato, 2 hash browns and a slab of steak!! Mrs Deane had scrambled eggs on toast, much healthier. Next stop was Conway Beach where we finally planned to park ourselves only to find the sea was about 2 miles in the distance. We kinda gave up and headed back to town stopping at a very nice waterfall on the way though.
And the last hour or two has just been relaxing with a book and a few games of cards. All being well we will head out on our ship tomorrow morning for a few days round the Whitsundays. Weather's still good so should have a great time.
Ships ahoy and cast off matey,
Pirate Patchybeard and First Mate Mrs Deane
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Vicky
non-member comment
Pole Dancer
Hahahahahahaa I know who you are talking about, I was there too, did you see when she climbed up to the top of the pole and fell down landing on her head!!! I shouldnt laugh but it was hilarious! My mate Mark went to see if she was ok then he got threatened by the boyfriend!!!!!!!!! QUALITY!