The Adventure Continues...: Finally we make it to the Whitsundays!

So after the cyclone hit we ventured up to Airlie Beach where our Whitsunday sailing tour was due to cast off. We made our way to the tour info desk to check in and they had informed us that the harbor master has put a hold on all boats leaving till yet another day. The lady at the desk said they had requested special permission to leave a day earlier, I mean the weather was clear and it was the first sunny day we had seen in at least a week. Unfortunately, the sailing company was not granted permission. The lady tells us that we would be switched from a three day/two night tour to two full days/one night trip or we could re-book for the same trip we had but it would be later in the week. We decided to go ahead with the two days/one night tour. Finally we were re-booked and ready to leave the next morning.

The name of our boat was the Condor. The sail boat was about 75 feet long and had room to sleep about 30 people or so. It was both of our first trips on a sailboat and we had a blast. Once we motored out of the harbor we raised sails and she took off. The Condor is an old racing boat that was used in the sailing race from Sydney to Hobart. All of the boats the companies use have been previously raced. One of their sail boats won America’s cup a few years ago.

When the boat finally started to catch the wind, the pitch was amazing. We all sat on the high side and it was crazy how close to the water the low side would get. So we spent about 2 hours sailing out to the islands when we made our first stop. We stopped at the historic Whitehaven Beach. Chances are if you see a postcard of an Australian beach, it was probably this one. It was an unbelievably awesome river outlet that is carved through white sand. We hiked up to the viewpoint for some pictures and could see a bunch of sting rays down in the shallow water ways. After the view point we then had some time to go down to the beach to explore or go for a swim if you wanted to. We had to wear stinger suits in the water because it is stinger season. Some of the stringers and jellyfish can be deadly so the company will not let you in the water without one of the suits.

When our time was done at Whitehaven Beach we loaded up in the dingy (small boat we took from the sail boat to shore) and headed back to the boat. We motored to a nice calm bay for the evening and on the way the crew was cooking up a delicious meal that we got to enjoy at sunset. After dinner we had the rest of the night just to chill out on board and drink some goon.

Well, before I start talking about the next day I figured this might be worth a mention. Before when I mentioned that there would be about 30 of us sleeping in the boat you probably didn't think much of it. Well what I should have said is that we were crammed in the boat. Below deck it was full of “bunk beds,” all in an open room. Luckily, since Teala and I are a couple we got a double bed, but the bad part was there was a guy sleeping on a single bunk right above us. I mean literally right above us. Like close enough if I were to roll on my side, oh wait, I couldn't even do that because that is how close he was. We happen to get the loudest snorer ever above our heads. Imagine all those times people snoring, driving you nuts, and keeping you up all night, I have no pity for you; this was a thousand times worse. Yes Mom, he was worse that you. Since we went to bed before this guy I had managed to fall asleep only to be punched awake by Teala because she thought it was me (it was that loud). So we both lay next to each other for the next few hours listening to this guy saw the loudest logs I have ever heard. Once half of the boat was awake listening to this guy, a guy next to us came over and punched him until he stopped.

So the next morning we got up and so did our friend above us. I know he got a great night’s sleep because I heard him the whole night. He got up smiled, totally oblivious that he kept half of the boat awake during the night and went to eat breakfast. The bay we anchored the boat was also our snorkeling stops. The water clarity wasn't the best, but we figured it wasn't going to be the best since the cyclone just battered the area only 3 days before. It was still a fun time. One of the crew members had some fish food that she would throw out and all the colorful fish would swim in and snatch it all up. That is when we got to meet Elvis. This huge super colorful fish, I’m not sure what kind he was but had to weigh at least 100 pounds. It was the biggest fish I have ever seen snorkeling. Unfortunately one of the guys on the tour dropped his camera into some coral and about 10 of us spent a good half hour looking for it but with the currents pulling us it was hard to know exactly where he dropped it and did not have any luck finding it. We know how that feels after Central America.

After snorkeling it was time for lunch and then time to make our way back to port. So once we were all packed up we all got ready on the high side and the sails went up and we were cruising back towards Airlie Beach. The trip was great. Sailing was so much fun, we both agreed we would love to do it again. We both agreed though, that we were glad that it was only one night because we weren't sure we could deal with the snoring guy for another night! We are heading towards Cairns now to see the Great Barrier Reef!