Sailing the Withsundays

I just got back from my sailing trip around the Withsunday Islands and it was amazing!!
When I booked my trip I wanted two things: space and relaxing. Chris, the travel agent, recommended a trip on the Pacific Sunrise, a boat for which normally pay around one thousand dollars, but it was special so I got it for less then half price. Still expensive, but was definitely worth it! Beforehand, I was a bit worried that I would either end up with only 50 plussers or only couples, but that was not the case, al lot of young backpackers in stead!

Just a brief description of the boat to give you an idea about the luxury. The Pacific Sunrise is 37 foot long, with on the main deck a saloon with comfi couches in and outside, a lounge (with books and tv/dvd) and a bar (= cocktails:)). On the top deck there were more comfi couches, a large deckfor sunbaking and the wheel house. The bedrooms were on the lower deck, all with own toilet and shower. O, did I already mention we had are own cook on board...?

Ok, now imagine this boat sailing around the most beautiful islands in the world (ja, daar is schiermonnikoog niks bij..;))

Warning, it's gonna be a long story again.

I arrived in Arlie Beach on Monday, after a long an relaxing weekend with Christy and Zane. I had a four hour delay in Townsville cause the bus broke down after 10 minutes drive. So stuck in Townsville, but lucky there was a pub around the corner, where I spend the afternoon drinking wine and chatting with a few guys from the bus and some locals (Niels F, ik heb een leuk netwerk voor je als je wil, een van de guys beweert de beste koffie te maken en doet ook barista's enzow? Wil je z'n bussinesscard?). Finally after 8 hours we arrived in Arlie Beach...

The next morning I took the bus to Conway National Park for a walk to Mt. Rooper, with, as described in Lonely Planet, good views of the Withsunday Island. Nice walk and beautiful view! I spend the afternoon in Arlie Beach, which is just one street with shops and cafe's and a lagoon. So very small, and I walked into the guys from the bus last night and Micheal (Lauren's mate from the Coast) and his mates who apparently stayed in the same hostel in the room next door. And a few girls I met in Cairns were also in Arlie. So that night was good fun! Had dinner with the girls, and a couple of drinks in the bar with Micheal plus mates and the guys from the bus. It's a small world!

My cruise departed wednesday arve at 2 pm and an afternoon tea with biscuits was already waiting for us. Besides a few couples (all on honeymoon, how romantic...) there were Emmi (18) and Anu (18) from Finland (working holiday for 7 months), whom I shared the room with; Tamara (22) and Reto (18) from Switzerland (holiday after language course in Brisbane); James (27) and KAthereen (24) (six months trip around the world) and Mieke and Ferry from Holland (50 plus?) (lekker op vakantie). And the crew: Mick the captain, Leon the cook, Cara the host (can make the best cocktails!) and Aaron the first mate (learned me how the sail "That's easy, you just put the flappy bit on the stingi bit with the slingi bit." Sounds easy Aaroon, I'm gonna try it at home:))
Our first destination was Langford Island for some afternoon snorkeling. Cause the tide was coming in there was a good chance of spotting green turtles. And I saw one!! Absolutely beautiful!! It just appeared in front of me and I could swim along trying to take some photos.
After a shower nibblies and champagne was set up in the saloon before dinner. And then dinner... a three course meal with outstanding food. Pumpkin and leek soup as a starter, bbq makrel and veggies for main and warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream for desert. YAM!!!

The next morning, after a huge breakfast, we sailed to Baird Point (Hook Island) for snorkeling. I saw heaps more fish and coral here compared with the reef in Cairns, again beautiful (o, saw a stinray as well, lucky it was swimming away...) After a BBQlunch, the next destination was White Heaven Beach. From a distance we could already see the long stretch of white sand, wauw! We had two hours on the beach, so Tamara and I started walking to the other end. It is about 6 k's long, so we couldn't walk to the end, but at least 2/3!
Again Leon prepared a delicious dinner for us and we spend the night playing poker.

The third day we went to Tongue Bay, for a walk to the look out point of White Heaven Beach and the Hill Inlet. WAUW, this is the most beautiful view I've ever seen, absolutely amazing!! We walked to the beach (a private beach:)) for a swim and went back to the look out cause the tide lower, so it was even more beautiful.
That afternoon we had our last snorkel session at Border Island, because of the low tide we could snorkel very close to the reef.. again beautiful (are u bored yet?)
We spend our last night at Nara Inlet of Hook Island and cruised back to Arlie the next morning. Everyone was sad to leave, three amazing days!!

But my trip is not finished yet. Next stop is Harvey Bay and Fraser Island!

Talk 2 u soon! And I post some photos soon, so you have an idea what I'm talking about.