Got up at 7am today for 1st day of our Whitsunday's trip. The trip was 3 day 2 night which included sailing around Whitsunday's, snorkelling, free intro dive, outer great barrier reef and possible whale sightings!
Checked out of hostel and checked bags into shop we booked through (whitsundays sailing adventures) which was next to nomads hostel free of charge as booked through them!We were parking on Marina so wanted to split bags and van just incase anything happened!
We all met at meeting point north side of Marina and were greeted by Jessie (diving instructor), Brent (skipper), Peter (chef/legend) and the boat owners Lauren and Greg. Nice professional touch meeting the owners. Our vessel Kiana was not huge but more than enough for 14 guests and 3 crew. After safety briefings from Greg and Brent, we were on our way! (main instructions were not to throw anything down the toilet as the tube was fairly thin).
The boat was not a BYO (bring your own alcohol). Fair enough as they didn't want anyone getting sloshed and then having to dive/snorkel and probably be ultimately rescued.
After more safety chats we were shown to our cabins. Carol and I were sharing with a French guy and 3 Norwegians who had literally Travelled around Australia!
There was also a couple from Donegal who had been out last night and were dying, a Polish guy with at least 60 cameras, a Slovakian girl, a young Spanish couple who said nothing except 'real madrid' and 2 very funny English guys from Oxford who had great tips and stories from travelling up east coast.
We set sail for Whitsunday's (Whitehaven beach specifically) and the ride was very very very bumpy. I didn't quite have time to buy some sea legs before I came onboard so the jacks was first main port of call! As I was throwing my guts up I remember trying to think of the last time I got sick from a non-alcohol related event. Then it came to me, on a ship about 15 years ago!
Olivier the French guy and Alicia the Donegal girl also paid it a visit so i didn't feel like total plank!
En route to Whitehaven the sights and views were awesome - very postcardish, without a doubt the most beautiful place I have ever seen.
We stopped for lunch through the islands (of which there are 74) but I had to give it a miss! We docked about 500 metres off Tongue bay and after a small boat ride (which was latched onto back of Kiana) we were on solid ground! Wahhheeyyyyyy! We began a short bush walk via 2 lookouts of the Beach, unbelievable. White powder sand and so many different colours of blue/green in water. Down below we got see stingrays and sharks swimming about. Erkkkkkk!
Correction from previous lines, THIS was the prettiest place I've ever seen!
We spent 3 hours at Whitehaven and even went into water chasing small sharks and rays for a good pic!
We sat for a while bathing before taking some goofy pics before heading back to Kiana for some afternoon snacks and fruit. Looked out for whales but today drew a blank.
Had nice cold beers (Kiana is fully licensed and drink is surprisingly cheap) while lying back on deck en route to our docking bay tonight at Manta Ray bay (known for the presence of Manta Rays. How could I ever face going back home again!
Had dinner serves to us by the Crew - had lamb, spuds and gravy! Even had seconds and thirds!
Got to known the group and crew a bit better - really cool bunch.
We had dive / snorkel talk and after getting our masks and fins, it was off To bed at about 9pm - don't think there was one person awake by 9.30pm!
We were getting a wake up call at 5.30am, not by anyone but the boats generator and then breakfast at 6am...oh my God!
Going snorkelling and trying diving tomorrow, should be interesting!
Ciao for now!