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Published: October 7th 2008
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Whitsundays!!!
After three films, two bags of mint M&Ms and a couple of bottles of sprit we got off the Oz Bus and arrived in Airlie Beach the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. Our bus driver also told us that Airlie Beach is also well known for it's bedbugs - nice!
Our hostel - Koala's had so much potential. Little huts which bunk-beds for 6 people, a little kitchen and a bathroom. All the huts surrounded a little pool. But the huts were dirty and yep the sheets were definately not clean but hey! All part of the experience 😊
Speaking of which - half way through the night I was woken up by a drunken Irish man shouting in his sleep. I kid you not - literally shouting. He was having a proper conversation in his sleep - something about a man in the bar talking to him or something.... Later that night/ morning his mobile phone alarm went off... Once, twice, three times... The phone was literally right next to this guys head and he still did not wake up. Incredible! I clambered down from the top bunk and went over and violently shook this
The first sunset
Enjoyed quietly with a couple cans of GnT and some goon... dude telling him as politely as I could that his phone was going off and that he had woke everyone up. He shrugged and went back to sleep. I had two options, knock him out or switch the phone off - I chose the later because I figured he was already unconsious....
We got on a boat called, "Powerplay". We chose the boat because it had a jucuzzi - that was the only driving force behind our choice ha ha ha. The boat had a crew of four people, Paula the skipper, Angie a young Kewi girl who was the cook - and was an amazing cook at that! Evian and Fenando were the two diving instructors. At first glance we decided that Evian loved himself but later we realised that he actually loved diving more which worked..
Evian convinced me to do a couple of dives - which turned into four dives. I could not believe how comfortable I felt underwater with a massive tank of gas on my back and a massive mask on my face - but it felt just heavenly. There were just so many fish to see - I just didn't know where
to look just in case I missed something. we saw a really large fish - of which I have no idea what it's called. The fish was nicknamed, "Pricilla". Evian got us to touch her - she was so smooth and silky ha ha ha. I couldn't believe it, I was under water in Australia stroking a massive fish!!! Ha ha ha ha
In the evening we sat on the boat and sipped our goon (cheap box of wine). Leyla and I slept on the top deck of the boat and looked up at the stars. I know this sounds ridiculous but I have NEVER seen so many stars in my entire life! It was just breathtaking.
Despite the jucuzzi the boat was not a party boat we were up at the crack of dawn and taken to Whitehaven beach which is where all the postcard pictures are taken. The sand was so white and fine it felt like talc beneath my feat. We got to the beach so early that we were the only people there - which made the whole experience so worthwhile. Just me and the whole ocean.
I did two more dives that day -
and found out that coral is actually an animal - can you believe that?! it "flowers" depending on whether it is feeding or not - craziness. Oh and yes before you ask I found nemo and his home. We saw less fish this day - but the coral was just amazing. There was so much of it - and so many different colours. I also found out that the colour from coral is brought out from the sun. When it is cloudy the coral looks quite grey.
I was on a serious high from the dives I just felt so proud of myself. I'm definately going to try and get my open water certificate at some point.
On the final day at sea I was up at the crack of dawn for a sunrise dive. The water was freezing but i didn't care. The weather looked like it was taking a turn for worse and the water was getting a bit choppy. My last dive was the least sucessful - although we saw loads of big creatures like a massive lobster my mask was leaking and I spent mot of the dive emptying my mask - I became pretty
good at that trick by the end of it all.
I got a DVD with all the photos from the dive - and so will pop a couple of those up when I have the chance. There are some very fetching pictures of me with my mask on - and a couple of less fetching pictures of me on the boat desk sprawled out in a bikini trying to tan myself... (they will not be posted up on this blog).
The sailing trip to the Whitsunday islands was one of the best things that I have EVER done. I felt so at home on the boat and just loved diving. Once again the thought crossed my mind... "maybe I should jack everything in and just work on a boat for a month or so... soooooooo tempting.
Back on Airlie beach (and the grotty accomodation) we had a few drinks in "Beaches" which was obviously the place to go drinking - every one goes there. It felt a bit like the FND at uni ha ha ha. We had a proper night out and went onto a club called, "Mama Africa". We met up with a load of people
which was great... the final thing to report on was our late night encounter on the way back to our room.... Two lads standing around not doing anything. We naturally decided to talk to them - this was a mistake as on our way back to our room we were washed down by the fire hose!!! Cheeky lads. We managed to dash into our room just in time and so neither of us were too wet, though on my way into my dorm I did a cinderella and lost my gold flip-flop. Balls..... (This was later brought into the room by the guy who did the house keeping).
The last thing from Airlie beach was our last minute purchase - a digeredoo. I decided to go the whole Hogg ad buy one that was about the same height as me - and get it posted back home. Before shipping the instruments off Leyla and I sat down and had a quick lesson. I am pleased to report that we both managed to make a noise of some description but as to whether it was very tuneful or not.... - well I'll let you guys decide when I get home
and give you a demonstration! :P The guy who owned the shop showed us how it's done - it was pretty impressive I have to tell you!
Last night - a few drinks (mainly to finish off the goon!)
xx
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Gem
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Airlie
You look so well hon, I stayed in airlie for about 3 months, amazing place...did u get to mama africas? I still have my industry card to get in free as worked in a bar accross the road...loved it. Enjoy babe xx