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Published: April 3rd 2016
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So after an over night bus, where I didn't get much sleep. I arrived into Airlie Beach, my first stop was registration for the boat I was due to sail on. I walked from the bus station and after getting a little lost, managed to find the office. They told me I had to leave my big bag behind, so franticly I repacked (I was already late, due to registration being 30min before my bus got in). I then took my bag and walked to the pier for the boat, a 30min walk, I had 30min to get there in, it was going to be tight!!
Once arrived we were given forms to sign and then tried on wet suits. We also learnt that the name of the boat 'Spank Me' is a racing term, where by a boat over takes another boat is to 'Spank' the boat. It was a challenge, as it was one of the fastest boats at the time. We then climb on board, surrendering our shoes as we did so. We had a talk before being assigned a bunk. Some people had to double as there were only a few single bunks, luckily I had
a single bunk to myself.
The fist part of the day we tried out some sailing, I volunteered to help raise the main sail. It was more difficult than it first seemed, but once up we headed into a lagoon for some snorkelling. After donning our wetsuits and grabbing some noodles, we climbed into the small dingy, from there we launched ourselves into the water. With the noodles safely tucked under our arms we let the current drag us along the reef, while we observed the life under the waves. It was an incredibly fun experience with many of us having a laugh. Although laughing while snorkelling is a good way to inhale lots of salt water.
Dinner was lovely and as I helped with the sailing I got food before others. 😊 After some drinks and laughs we headed to bed.
Once up early, we had breakfast and headed to Whitsunday bay. We headed to shore in the little dingy and were given our shoes back. We climbed up the hill and took in the views, up at the viewing platforms we could see the beauty of the area, while the tide slowly went out. Then
after a while we headed down to the beach. There we had a quick swim, and then started building a sand castle. The sand in the Whitsunday's feels very different due to its high silicone content. Then we headed back to the bay so we could get the dingy back onto the boat. 2 of the guys didn't want to wait for the dingy and started to swim back to the boat. Then our dingy arrived and then another came to help us to our boat, turns out one of the guys stood on the reef and was injured, we had to get back to Airlie ASAP to get help, in case it was poisonous. We had lunch on the go, as we sailed back to the main harbour, after lunch the weather began to turn and become wet and windy. Already feeling snuffly, from the air con in Cairns and the lack of sleep on the journey down I decided to sleep. I was woken up for dinner...
The next day, I was feeling much better, we had breakfast and discussed the change in plans, we were not anchored where we had originally planned and could not get to the places planned in time. We agreed to the changes and set of sailing to the new destination. The area was beautiful and the marine life very exotic. We spotted clown fish and lots of parrot fish, (there were others but I have no idea what they are called!! They were pretty though!).
Once back on board we had lunch and headed back to the port. We met the guys who had been swimming back to the boat, it was just coral, he was fine, but grateful that we took the precaution and got him back.
Once back with my bag, I checked into my hostel and did some laundry, before heading out for drinks with the people from the boat.
The following morning I checked out, went for a walk in the park. After a lovely free lunch (thanks to Monsoon in Darwin, those free vouchers :D ). I headed up towards the bus terminal. I sat for a while admiring a lovely sand dragon, which was breathing fire. Then grabbed my first dominos down under, for a whopping $5.00 and then to the bus terminal, for my second over night bus journey.
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