Sat 8th - Tue 11th September - Airlie Beach (Whitsunday Cruise)

Day 55 (Sat 8/9/18)   Airlie Beach - Whitsunday Cruise

The Girls did some pampering this morning after a couple of months in the outback with all the dust etc.  Who could blame them.  Paul and I stocked up on alcohol and washed the cars, all in preparation for our 3 night cruise starting later today.

  

Then after lunch onto the “Whitsunday Blue” a 41 foot catamaran for our wander around the Whitsunday Islands.

  

  

  

What a wonderful start, 8 passengers and 2 crew all were great people.  All willing to give “Cards against Humanity” a go after dinner!  Great way to have fun and get to know everyone.

New friends…

Steve and Chris from Spain (who got engaged at Whitehaven Beach later in the cruise).

Rod and Bec from Sydney

Ian (Skipper) from all around, originally from Perth.  Loves his job and hugely knowledgeable about sailing despite his young age of 20.

Emma (Hostess) from England, again loves her time on the boats.

Day 56 (Sun 9/9/18)   Whitsunday Cruise

Great sheltered spot over night, up for breakfast around 7am with the choice of a short bushwalk to see some Aboriginal Rock Art or a play with the transparent kayak and paddle board.  We chose the kayak and paddle board… we’ve seen a lot of rock art already this trip.

  

  

  

Then we cruised to a couple of snorkelling spots, and with the company policy we all had to put on stinger suits to protect us.  These were not so bad after all.  Although definitely not a fashion statement.  The underwater pictures were hard to make clear but I hope you get the idea.

  

  

  

  

Then on to Whitehaven beach.  Sand 98% silica, very white and not hot (or even warm) to walk on not like the beaches back home when the sun is out.

  

  

  

A couple of photos from a friend of our hostess who was in the air over us a one stage, we are the far left boat.

                        

Then anchored just off the beach for the night, a little more rocking this evening.

Day 57 (Mon 10/9/18)   Whitsunday Cruise

Departed Whitehaven Beach and headed north, the wind has picked up which allowed us to get the sails out, what a great feeling.  Got up to 11knots at one stage before stopping again for a snorkel.

  

  

  

  

  

Then during dinner, and after a few drinks, our experienced skipper gave us a review on the chart about where we had been and where we will go tomorrow.   Adding some graphics for events such as a ring at Whitehaven Beach signifying the engagement of Chris and Steve; the goggles and mask on Tracey; the sails showing our goosewinging leg.

Day 58 (Tue 11/9/18)   Whitsunday Cruise - Airlie Beach

7am Breakfast and then to a snorkelling spot close by at low tide to allow some close up shots of the coral.

  

  

Afterwards the sail back to port and some group shots of our new friends.

  

  

then unfortunately it was all over and we went ashore and our separate ways.

Paul, Kate, Tracey and I went to our booked accommodation for a clean up and prepare for dinner in Airlie Beach again.  Plan is to head south tomorrow back into the camping vibe.