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Published: March 16th 2008
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The Moorings
Tina in the Jungle Room, where's Elvis? (Tina)G'Day folks, hows it going? All good here, left Brisbane after just about getting the hired car back in one piece, had a really hairy moment driving in to the return rentals car park when I just didn't see the barrier, lifted just in time for me to shoot underneath without any damage, phew, close call though!
Arrived in Airlee Beach after a short flight and headed straight to Tourist Information office as we had no accommodation booked, again been advised not to book anything previously as, because of the shit weather they had been having, there would be loads of availability, wrong, went through loads of options and eventually got a B & B booked for the first night but had to move to another for our second night. We also found out that to fly from there to Cairns was expensive and difficult as only one airline has the monopoly. We decided then that we would book the Greyhound bus for the Wednesday night, so all that done we also booked ourselves onto a day trip out to the Whitsundays on the Wednesday.
We arrived at our first B & B, after being ripped off by yet
Lorikeets
Noisy little buggers, pretty though! another cabbie, what is it with them. Welcomed by Peter our host for the night, we were in the Garden room, a bit small but very nice and clean, Lynda wanted to name it the Jungle room because out the back on the terrace it was a bit like the Day of the Trifids. After a quick change we went back into town and had a wander and found a food court with a lovely Rum Bar and fish restaurant called Fish D'vine. Lynda had Barramundi and I had Spanish Mackeral, both of which were absolutely delicious. Also had our first Lond Island Iced Teas in Oz, told the bloke making them about our survey and he kindly put in another slug of something, quite delicious, but still not on a par with Hideout. Had a few more drinks and then headed up the hill (more like mountain, it was so steep, no exaggeration) to bed.
The next morning we were awakened by the noisiest birds you ever heard in your life, Lynda went out to see what all the noise was about and shouted they were Lorikeets, they were really beautiful but they are f***ing noisy!!
Lynda
Snorkelling
or a Religious Experience here now, you can say that again, at first it was very sweet and pretty but after a little while you wanted to get the shotgun out!! (Only joking, all you animal lovers out there). Well you have never seen a breakfast like the one we received at this lovely little B&B (called Moorings), when I looked out at the birds the table on the terrace was already set and I just had to count the cutlery (you would have thought it was set for at least 6 people). There were 21 pieces of silver (Yes, silver) cultery on the table - we wondered what the hell we were going to have to eat (we knew it wasn't going to be chicken noodle soup!!). Well it was a lovely 5 course brekkie (that's Ozzie for breakfast), needed a swim after that in a fantastic little pool in the garden - this place is a gem.
Wandered down the town for a lazy day in the lagoon - I thought the lagoon would be a safe area on the beach where you could swim in the sea without fear of attach from sharks or stingers. Wrong - it was a
Whitehaven Beach
First glimpse of Paradise bit like a lazy river with grass either side and the ocean the other side of the grass. Lovely place but no sun beds so got itchy arses from the grass. Very kindly Peter moved our luggage while we were laying around to Lesley (our next hostess), so we didn't have the chore (and believe me its one of the biggest chores when travelling) of humping our luggage around.
As we were waiting for Lesley to pick us up (yes - very good service) Tina said that if she were an owner of a B&B she's give people a nice glass of wine when they arrived - it must have been a witchy thing because - you've guessed it - we received a chilled glass of wine and a cheese board - what service AGAIN. They spoil you at Airlee Beach I recommend it!!
Had an early rise the next day for our WhitSundays trip. Anyone who doesn't know the Whitsundays are a group of 72 islands at the start of the Great Barrier Reef, of which only 7 are inhabited. A lot of sailing trips etc. take place here but I was advised to wait to dive
Just another beach?
You decide. Do you think they'll want us for the Bounty Ad? til I got further up Cairns way. In case you were wondering how they got their name (I know you're all dying to know!) it because Captain Cook found them on Whit Sunday - did any of you guess?!
(Tina)Another boat trip, one that I was so not looking forward to but went because I knew I should make myself or I would regret it. Nice enough boat and the crew all seemed really nice, when we first got on board the said that if you wanted to snorkel you had to hire a stinger suit because it was the stinger season, I declined and the First mate asked why and said he would come and have a chat with me later. Lynda got her suit and we had coffee as we set off, first stop was off of Hook Island for the snorkelling and the diving, there were 4 people diving, and only me and another chap who declined the snorkelling. I would love to have done it but panic set in and just couldn't, sorry, although I was brave enough to get into the little dinghy and the Captain took me off for a little ride around
Personal Message
We really mean it!! and saw some lovely fish and the reef from there, so sort of saw a bit, better than nothing. Lynda went off on her merry way for about an hour but when she came back she said that the coral was very badly damaged, she thought by people but they assured her that it was because of the really bad weather and storm they had had in recent weeks.
Next we set sail to Whitsunday Island where we hiked through a forest to a lookout tower where you got the most stunning view of Whitehaven Beach, amazing! We got back on the boat had lunch and set sail for Whitehaven, where we disembarked for a couple of hours on the beach. The sand here is the finest you have ever seen, although took a while to get used to the feel of it. I had another bit of a panic here about getting off the boat cos you had to jump off the boat and walk ashore, bit of a trial but I managed it. Might seem hard for all you brave souls out there to understand my fear, as I don't really myself, but felt very pleased with
I did it!
Here's the proof! myself having done it.
Back on board and got back to Airlee about 4.30pm. A lovely day, Lynda loved it, I'm glad I did it, but hasn't changed my mind about all things nautical. Whilst we were out on our jolly, Lesley, our landlady, dropped our baggage off to the Tourist Info Centre which was so kind of her. As we were travelling overnight on the Greyhound to Cairns we had to go to the local outdoor showers at the Lagoon to tidy ourselves up. Quite a laugh trying to shower and wash your hair with you swimsuit still on the drying off and changing in the toilet, still mission accomplished. Went and grabbed bite to eat at a local Mexican restaurant where they were doing LIITs on happy hour for 7$, had a couple each, just to help us sleep on the coach you understand. well they shot straight into number two spot in the survey, yummy indeed!!
(Lynda just sneaking in another paragraph) Had to tell you in more detail about the fish I had. I've tried all sorts of fish in all the places we've been, shark, stingray, prawns, lobster,but Barra I've never tasted anything
Greyhound Bus
The long and winding road! so delicious as Barra (Barramundi) before - it goes straight to number 1 for me. Also Bim and Julie - yes I did have another "religious experience"!!
Got aboard our delightful bus for the journey north, 10 hours driving arriving in Cairns at 6am. What we didn't realise was that every couple of hours there was a stop, so it was very difficult to try and get any sleep. However, after quite a smelly journey glad to say we arrived ok. Next hurdle is finding our way to Port Douglas. Will we make it, tune into the next blog. Lots of love to you all, keep blogging, L&T xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Hayley (matts Bird)
non-member comment
Swimwear Photo
I'm so jealous! You girls look hot!!! xx