Australia

Monday July 8th – Sunny 21°

Up Early into Airlie Beach for breakfast and to see what’s up. School holiday, so lots of kids. Finally decided on a stay at Day Dream Island, a $16 round trip by water taxi. Checked in at 1pm. Oh, finally made a mistake driving – Was in a hurry to park, had left the car running… jumped back in and put it in gear – No steering wheel and no brake. Luckily not too much headway and was able to slam it into park.

Daydream Island is a new resort (6 months) and is a full service kind of place - $100/room charge included wind surfing, catamarans, water skates, water skiing ($20), jet skis ($20). Did both.

Beautiful stay. Steph found friends and was in the pool ALL DAY.


Tuesday July 9th – Sunny 23°

Daydream Island Day 2.

Stayed up to late – 12:30, a little groggy at 9am. Walked. Sat. Swam. Coffee. Juice. Stared at the Day Trippers. Sat. Swam.

Listened to my tape deck (new Australian tapes) then got antsy and went waterskiing. Up 1st time on 1 ski. Got tired in 15 minutes.

Twilight cruise at 5:30pm, nice sunset, phosphorescence in the water, lots of stars. Went to bed early – big day ahead.

Wednesday July 10th – Sunny 21°

Back up to Airli Beach to catch the Rogue II a 17.3 meter yacht for three days and two nights of sailing.

Stopped off at Airil camp grounds and had coffee with Val (John was off diving). Then into town to do some souvenir shopping before the boat trip.

Rogue II is about 54’ with two cabins – Gail & Steph shared one at mid-ship and I was across in a bunk. They had twelve passengers including two crew. A little tight, but a very forgiving group. Other then us and Rob who is 30, the rest were between 19 & 23 (back packers mostly from England and 1 German girl).

On our first day of sailing, we sailed to Hamilton Island and spent the night tied up there. Went drinking with the group and crew until 3am. Trying to prove Captain Jeff’s Theory of Bundy Rum and cokes with a slice of orange would if not sober you up, at least allow you to wake up without a hangover. I don’t know… maybe if I had more then three hours of sleep, I would. Italian spaghetti for dinner, compliments of our pretty first mate Connie. It was a beautiful day of sailing and Gail, although skeptical at first, got along very well. And Steph was happy as could be as Gail was not when she discovered the kitten on board.

“Bangs more than a dormy door in a gale.”



Thursday July 11th - 21° a little cool for here, but not a cloud in the sky.

Set out motoring (no wind) for Whitehaven Beach at 7am – Groan!!!

Arrived there about 9am, set off in the dinghy then walked several miles on a very beautiful beach. Swam a little bit, then back to the boat for baloney and cheese sandwiches. This has not been a gourmet trip. Then set sail for Hook Island, which is a nature type island with rustic camping. BBQ on the beach – Ask me about the English Mustard.

Then Steph & I went back to the boat for an early good night. Slept well until 7am.