I'm sailing in the rain, just sailing in the rain

Trip Start Feb 23, 2005

Trip End Jun 14, 2005

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Flag of Australia Airlie Beach and Whitsundays, Australia
Sunday, April 10, 2005

Got into Airlie Beach after an overnight bus trip of 10 hours. This town has one major purpose and that is as the starting point for everyone Whitsunday sailing trip. The Whitsundays are a group of islands just off the coast that have fabulous white beaches, large white sand beaches and spectacular diving and snorkeling. It is very popular and is an almost certain stop on the east coast for every type of traveler. I had my boat trip booked since Byron Bay just in case it was busy when I go here so it was all arranged. I had looked forward to this part of the trip more than any other part before leaving so my hopes were high!
I set off on my 2 night, 3 day trip and it was raining! In fact, it rained for almost all the trip! We had some sunny parts but mostly it was wet and overcast. It was a shame because it changed the way the islands looked, misty and cloud covered isn't what I had expected. Still the sailing and snorkeling was fun and we had some fun on the boat while we went around the islands

Next jumper please

. I snorkeled 4 times and saw some great stuff. Reef and coral that was very colourful and literally 1000's of fish, some in groups of over 300 at least. If you keep your hands hidden, they swim right up to your goggles, which is just as well as I forgot to take my contact lenses on board!
The boat, Avatar, was a Trimarang, and was huge and fast. The seas were relatively calm despite the rain and the high winds made for exiting sailing. On the first day, I sat right out on the front of one of the side bits (not a proper sailing term I fear) and although I was soaked with the rain and the sea splashing up, it was amazing being lifted 20 feet above the water and crashing back down, it was just like a roller coaster ride, I must have looked like a weirdo to all the others on board who were all trying to keep dry near the middle of the boat! :)
We stopped off, moored I believe they call it, a couple of times to see the islands and beaches. They were impressive even in the rain. Some of the last day we had some clear skys and bright sunshine and I managed to catch up on my tan! I have a T-shirt tan at the moment so I got out my body and offered it to the sun gods! It didn't seems to put the other passengers off their lunches. The food on board was very good indeed, Mick the chef was very good and had all the stuff ready each time we came back from diving or swimming.
The one thing that was bad though was the nights

The massive cabin

. These boats are not made for comfort, and certainly not for a rainy night! They leaked and were far too hot and stuffy inside, the beds were big enough for a child but had two adults sharing! Lets just say that it was an experience! It was a good trip all in all but the snoring of Troy from Canada with whom I shared a bunk with was the loudest noise I have ever heard from a living entity! Nice guy but I nearly strangled him a number of times :)
I got back to the harbour, it was raining of course! Got back to the hostel and had the best shower of my life! 3 days on a smelly boat with no decent shower makes you long for a hot shower. :) There was a party for the boats in the hostel bar that night, I did make an appearance but didn't make passed midnight, I was actually looking forward to a sleep in the hostel bunk beds, luxury!

Said goodbye to Rose when I left Airlie Beach, she was off to meet her parents and we will be going in different ways after that. I will have to talk to myself again now! Back to being stared at :)