Hi Shane,
Have you been before to Hamilton. I'm just wondering...what a 20-25 years old would do on his own in a three bedrooms home?
It remind of something interesting. Travel journalist...you visit all these great romantic places....but your family is back home, and beside your crew...nobody else to share the romance.
I'm lucky to have more than my fair share of travel, did Antartica on my own...but also did Seychelles...romantic way, and I would not want to go to the Seychelles alone...Imagine spending few nights alone on Lizard, Bedarra, Hayman or at the Qualia...these places are gorgeous...but alone...so depressing!
This is why I'm very astonished that they don't have more couples in the demographic of 30-50 years old. Since when Whitsundays are a backpacker paradise?? And it's not that there where not plenty of applications from couples that were not impressive!
I once won a trip to go all around Tunisia for a 2 weeks car rally. Was amazing, back in 1994....but the funny thing, they were looking for independant, adventurous types...they found them....but while in the middle of the trip the sponsor told us....at the end of the day you are only here to be used as advertisment boards...it didn't end up so well!
This is why I guess we should push the candidate who look the more independent...not sure there is truly one. Who dream to be an ad! Not me...wish I would have seen a lot more of the crazy people we saw in the first applicants...and not the polished ones...
Reply to this I have not been to Hamilton before, but know people who have. In terms of backpacker areas - the Whitsundays are a popular destination, but Hamilton Island is not. It is not a party island, nor a nature island - it is geared to a more pampered and genteel style of holidaying and with a price to match. However, I believe that this job is to promote the whole region and not just the Island.
Personally speaking, I could easily handle being there for 6 months - my family and friends are only a few hours away by plane, and if I did feel isolated (a bit unlikely) without doubt some would avail themselves of my spare rooms!
Whoever gets this job needs to be very comfortable with their own company, and be motivated. There is not too much on the island to keep a person occupied for a prolonged period of time, and one could get disconsolate without the near and dear to them close at hand.
If I was the successful candidate (not possible since I didn't enter), I'd be taking lots of books, computer games, and might try to learn a langauge at the same time.
Antarctica is definitely on my list of travels - most places I like to visit on my own - but not sure if going there solo is my preference - it was be better to share a cabin with someone I know!
Reply to this Hi Shane,
I do agree 100% with your comments...and this is why I wonder why they didn't take more couples...and as some of them put it...you get two for the price of one...
I did a dream trip last year in Feb...Antartica, Iguacu, Buenos aires, Galapagos and finished by some skiing in Tahoe.
Antartica I did share a cabin with a guy for 10 days...and Galapagos, shared a cabin for 7 days with another guy....never spent so much money...to end up sharing a small cabin with complete strangers....but great travellers...was an amazing trip! Great things of travelling on small boat or liveaboard for diving is that you pay by berth (bed), which means if you are traveling alone, the cost doesn't sky rocket...
And let be honest...if you have only a "reasonable" budget, the only way to see Antartica is by boat...small cruise boat. Some do it by little sail boat....that's amazing...but you need more time, and I'm not sure it's cheaper...
Well.....we may not get the best job in the world for the next 6 months....but I know i'm going to visit some amazing places and dive in a lot of great spots!
And thanks for sharing your comments....where is your next trip?
Reply to this Well...if you look on the blog list, there are less than 15 blogs on Hamilton...and even less pics of Hamilton Island...
And for those who wonder...there are more blogs on North Korea than Hamilton Island on traveblog...and a lot more pics on North Korea...
Reply to this PA
I think you are right about Hamilton Island, this contest may have backed fired on them, because it may be showing something they was not thinking of: this could be a conceited and toffee-nosed place for the new version of the rich Klan.
Reply to this 
