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Sailing around the Whitsunday Islands
We arrived in Airlie Beach and found a boring town with just one interesting thing: sailing! We had about 50 boats to choose from and they all looked the same in the brochures. In the end we decided to go with a small boat (10 people) called Freight Train.
In the morning we got to the harbour and found a nice boat waiting for us. The Freight Train is a former raceboat and it looked really fast. The crew welcomed us aboard and we set off for our 3-day sailing adventure. Life on board the ship was easy ... lying in the sun, eating exotic fruit and doing nothing. The captain kept saying "relax guys, stop stressing" after we laid down on the boat the whole morning. First stop was in a bay in one of the Islands for a snorkel. Magnificent views underwater with beautiful coral and colourful fish. In the evening we anchored the boat in a peacefull bay. A nice dinner, a glass of wine and a sky filled with stars, what else could we wish for? One of the two double beds !!! which we got. Did you know the moon is looking different here ... it looks like a big smile. One of the crewmembers showed us how the plancton in the ocean lights up when you stir in the water (with the small motorboat). We managed to persuade one of us to have a nightdip. He looked like an angel the way he lit up in the water, so we told him: "swim forward, do this, do that". Unfortunatly he didn't do this for long and there was no one else who wanted to swim so it was the end of the entertainment.
In the morning we started the day with a fresh dive in the water. Hana: "lets go for a swim" [Bart jumpes in] Hana: "oh no ... it looks a bit cold". During breakfast 2 dolphins jumped around the boat ... cool. Next stop the famous "Whitehaven Beach" with pure white sand and blue sea. No snorkeling there, but a relaxing time on the beach with our friends and the frisbee and volleyball. Back on the boat there was a nice lunch waiting.
We could really use the sails as the wind picked up and took us to another bay and another snorkel. This time we were surrounded by plenty of fish. They were so brutal they eat (from) our hands. It was absolutely amazing. The corals were beautifull too. This must be the most beautifull place under the sea.
The second night we had to finish our 4 liters of wine (and 6 beers) so we fell asleep on the deck. The boat was rocking (so it seemed).
The third day was like the previous: snorkeling, sunbathing and eating and swimming (this morning Hana jumped in). Bart improved his sailing helping raise the sails (hard work). We were on a beach made of dead coral instead of sand and we saw a sea-eagle give a fish a lift. On the way back to the harbour we experienced real sailing when the wind was really strong and the crew tried out the new spinaker. One side of the boat was at sealevel so it was not smart to go to the toilet. It was a real adrenalinshot and a great ending to the trip.
We arrived on Magnetic Island only today so no stories yet. Maybe next time.
See you later ... alligator
Hana & Bart
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