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After a week of lounging in Airlie our time had now come to get ourselves onto our sail boat out to the Whitsunday Islands, on a boat named 'Summertime'.
DAY 1.
An early start saw us up and about at 8am where we had to leave our large backpacks at the Australia tours office for a small price of $5 for three days. Then a short walk took us to the harbour where after a little bit of confusion looking for our boat we met up with a tall, long haired, red indian, looking Australian guy called Eza who introduced himself as the diving instructor for Summertime. Sleepy but excited we listend to his introductory speech to the group about the boat and what we were about to embark on, on our trip. He lead us down to the large sail boat that is 'Summertime' where we met the rest of the crew; Damo - the chef and general 'dogs body' of the boat and Skipper (or Chris) - the ... Skipper, driver, captain, sailer etc etc.
There were 16 of us on the boat all together, and the rest of the group where quite a mix match of people
ranging from old-ish to young, from geeky to cool, from adventure enthused to "I'm not too sure about that". Not quite the awesome Team D group of Fraser, but nice enough.
The crew were all really great, Eza especially was a bit crazy, maybe too many deep dives under his weight belt, but such a funny and enthusiastic guy he got everyone into the sail and the idea of Scuba diving. The sails were up and engine was off so we were plain sailing across the ocean towards the paradise whitsunday islands. It was relatively choppy and bouncy but nothing too much for anyone to feel the need to prematurely feed the fish (thanks for that phrase Stacey). Eza came out to join us to see who wanted to do a scuba dive today, I was unsure, mainly due to a severe lack of funds that I'm experiencing just now, but he compared it to a night at the pub and I knew in the back of my mind that I really wanted to do it, so after first refusing and then him talking me into it I was spontaniously signed up to scuba dive. One of the things that
really attracted us to 'Summertime' in particular was the food menu, and whilst sailing towards our first bay we were served large rolls, wraps, salad, a selection of rolled sandwich meat, sauces, and more, which went down very well after a small and rubbish breakfast.
A three hour sail saw us anchor at a place called Luncheon bay where we were to do our diving. The islands we had passed were mainly rainforest and bush with no beaches, but Luncheon bay had a small beach made of broken coral and no sand. Slipping into our wetsuits/stinger suits (stinger, jellyfish, season is nearly over but we had to wear stinger suits just in case). We jumped into a dingy hangin g off the back of the sail boat and headed towards the beach armed with flippers, snorkles, masks and a whole lot of anticipation and excitement. We were group two for the scuba diving named 'Hammerheads' with Eza so we had time for a bit of snorkling first. Dressed like a true snorkler Matt, Chris and myself swam out under breathing under the water through the vast colourful abundance of fish and coral. The weather was a bit over cast, so
the fish and coral may not have glowed as it can in postcard pictures, but that didn't take away the fact that this is the most amazing dive and snorkling I have ever done!!!!! Surrounded by fish of every colour feeding from coral of all shapes, colours and sizes.
45 minutes passed and Eza had brought the first group back to shore and was ready to teach us the vital skills for our scuba dive. He loaded us up with gas tanks and breathing equipment and then ran through the essential skills and underwater hand-signals needed for the dive, this took about 10 minutes. He, swimming backwards, lead us deeper and deeper into the ocean. The sensation of breathing under water at such depth was incredible and as we strayed further from the shore and deeper under water the coral and the fish were unbelieveble. The feeling of wanting to shout out with excitement was becoming overwhelming! The coral danced in the water and the fish darted around like a scene taken directly from 'Finding Nemo'. With that in mind Eza lead us to some very colourful and wavy anenome where he wiggled his finger and out popped a large
clown fish with a smaller one just behind, exactly the same as 'Nemo' himself, was so amazing!!! We continued our adventure through the stunning coral, trying to take it all, which I can assure you wasn't easy as there was so much to see.
Assending to the surface and back to the beach and we each took off our gas tanks etc. and began ranting about how amazing it was, "did you see this", "did you see that" being exclaimed by all.
Matt and I then went and did some more snorkling thouogh my calf muscle had cramped up so was pretty sore, but we approached a large shoal of silver fish that were jumping out of the water. The reason for this was a large Coral Trout was trying to eat them so when it attacked the shoal, all the fish moved at the same time, darting out of the attack from the teethed jaws of the Trout. All the silver fish moved simultaneously as they swam like I've seen on TV before. We spent the whole day at Luncheon Bay so we hopped back on board for tea and coffee and fruit cake. I then got into the
on board hot-tub at the back of the boat to warm up as it was pretty cold after being in the water for so long, very nice. I changed into some dry clothes and everyone sat around on the boat as daylight turned to nightime but with full cloud cover there was no impressive sunset. We were served some pre-dinner snacks, sausage rolls and mini pies with dip. Chatting with the others and having a laugh dinner was then served at about 8/9 o'clock. Tender chicken thigh fillets, marinated in succulent honey mustard and mixed herbs, served with a fresh cherry tomato, fetta cheese, green olives stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes and spanish onion salad. Fresh green beans steamed and lightly tossed through garlic butter with oven roasted potatoes seasoned with fresh herbs and cracked pepper. Sat on a boat eating such great food... the only thing missing was the clear starry skies, but you can't have everything. Everyone was pretty tired from the diving so an early night was had by all. I shared a double bed with Chris and Matt had a single under-neath. I had an awful nights sleep due to lack of space and synchronised snoring from
the lads, ah well.
DAY 2.
Skipper had already got us on the move towards Blue Pearl bay before we were woken by Damo for breakfast which consisted of warm raisin toast, fruit loaf. With a wide range of condomints, cereals and milk. Tea, coffee and juice, lovely thanks Damo. I was feeling pretty awful after my bad nights sleep but the crew were keen to get everyone enthused for another dive, but my funds prevented me from doing a second dive. Living on the coast for so long now I know that the best way to wake up and feel better is to get in the water, so I slipped into my stinger suit and hopped into the dingy to go and check out the diving at Blue Pearl bay. Eza had told us that this bay was the home to 'Elvis' a huge Mauri Blue Wrasse, that was more than comfortable with human interaction. He is on so many of the photos for Whitsunday's adverts. I was unsure whether or not I would see the legend of 'Elvis' not doing the Scube dive, but I was hopeful. Armed with snorkle and mask I swam out to where
Stunning Coral colours etc.
the camera doesn't really capture the full beauty but still pretty non the less.I saw a canadian guy called Devon pointing towards to sea. Here at Blue Pearl bay there was literally a wall of fish to swim through, they only moved out of the way at the last minute as you swam towards them. Again the plethora of colours of coral and fish was un-describable. A sight that can only be captured in my head. I got to Devon and he said he had just seen 'Elvis'... and then out of infinate blue came the huge Mauri Wrasse. Un-effected by our presence he swam along side us and I dived down and swam around him stroking his scaly side. He was so placid, I couldn't stop diving down and swimming along with him right by his side, it was so good. About 25 mintues passed swimming with 'Elvis' and then he swam off and as I looked out of the water I saw about 30 snorkles poking out and a woman throwing bread off the side of her dingy, it was now rediculously busy in the water. I was so lucky to have some good alone time with 'Elvis' as it was now almost impossible to get near him. With crowd of
Scuba
nice hair! people taking over the Bay I appreciated why Skipper had got us to the bay so early. Cold and wet I got myself back in the hot-tub few a good hour or so. For lunch we had thick soft focacia bread topped with grilled chicken, tabouli, sun dried tomatoes, avocado, onion and cheese lightly baked, served with a fresh caeser salad and a creamy tuna and asparugus pasta with a small platter of fresh fruit.
Skipper hauled up the anchor and we set off towards Whitehaven beach. Whitehaven beach is voted the 2nd best beach in the world by 'National Geographical'. As the grey sky looked upon us ominously it was inevitable that rain would begin to fall as we reached this natural marvel. As if it had been organised weeks before as soon as the anchor dug itself into the sand the first drop of rain landed on my un-impressed face. We had to get a dingy to shore and then do a 80KM walk along a rainforest path (in thongs, nice) to Whitehaven beach look-out. The weather was not on our side and began to rain a bit more once we got to the lookout, "wonderful" I thought.
Don't get me wrong though, the view of the swirling sands of Whitehaven was seriously impressive, but I know from seeing so many postcards etc. that in clear blue skies it would have been breath-taking. As the rain fell I was bearly able to get my cameras out, but did manage to get a few images. Eza lead us down to the beach itself. On the beach we were able to enjoying the soft silicon sand, but as the sand was damp it wasn't the joy it should and could have been. For a once in a lifetime experience I couldn't help but feel frustrated by the dismal weather. Eza took a load of funny "Holiday.. we're having a great time" photo's and after a good hour os so we headed back to the dingy. Wading through one of the small pools of sea, Stingrays darted away from our path and some people saw small sharks but I missed out there.
Back on board we were served tea and coffee served with a chocolate and cream sponge roll. We chilled on the boat as we sailed across to our next destination as the sun went down behind the clouds, Damo
then brought out a platter with cheese, carrot and celery sticks, kabana, pickled onions, crackers, corn chips and a selection of dips. Navigating his way to the next bay for tomorrows activities in the dark was impressive by Skipper, as it was literally pitch black. Anchoring in a very calm cove dinner was served; tender scotch fillet steaks in a secret marinade. Served with a deliscious tomato, onion, garlic and mushroom pasta bake. Brocoli and cauliflower in a cheese sauce, served with a fresh garden salad and sun dried tomato pesto bread. Again the food was brilliant and thoroughly enjoyed. A couple of beers and a deep discussion about a young lad on the boat who was a vegetarian and then we were invited below deck to the lounge to see the days activities on a slide-show. Were some very funny pictures and laughter spread beneath deck. We were also served chocolate and caramel slice, made fresh on the boat from their own recipe. We sat on deck for a while with a beer and then at midnight went to bed. I had a much better sleep.
DAY 3.
The crew woke us up at 8am-ish for a very
special breakfast; crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, cereals, juice, tea and coffee, perfect wake-up material. Our activity for today was kayaking in inflatable kayaks. Again the weather let us down but we still had fun. Matt and I shared one and it was hard work, we were like a Cheetah in that we were very good, strong and fast for a short time but then the lactic acid kicked in and we were knackered for a while. We rowed around the cove hoping to see some turtles but didn't and then back on board for tea, coffee and cake, after a sommersault off the side of the boat, I can't get enough!
We then sat back and enjoyed BBQ Sausages, coleslaw, creamy potato salad and a fresh green salad, before sailing back to Airlie. The journey back was very choppy cruising at 8.5 Knots with no engine, the fastest Skipper has ever gone, very cool, but very bumpy and a bit wet.
All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable trip. The main highlight without doubt was the scuba dive and hanging with 'Elvis'. Weather was a pain but not many people can say they messed about on Whitehaven
beach in the rain. All good never-the-less.
That night we had a table booked at Beaches hostel where we all joined up for a couple of free jugs of beer.
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Dad
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Whow
Amazing pictures from an amazing trip, and even the girl on the beach managed to stroke a giant wrasse!