The Whitsundays were well worth the detour and couple of days less in Sydney.
Gorgeous weather had preceded me (again, unprecedented given the month before!) and it had all the hallmarks of a tropical paradise - without the price tag!
Stayed at Backpackers by the Bay which is small enough to feel homey but large enough to house some long termers as well as passers through. Clean, airy and brightly painted along a sea-life theme it was a great experiences and the pool, BBQ, hammock and bar areas really add to the perks! The tour guides and the taxi guy all commented on it being the best backpackers as well - it really was only 5mins to the main esplanade but far enough way that you didn't get the noise - or a lot of drunk students.
The shuttle from the train dropped me off right outside the door - and also filled us in on the supermarkets and internet places as we travelled.
The train down from Cairns (The Sunlander) was not up to The Ghan's standards but still comfy - and for the large part of the day - uncrowded. They did have a carriage one up from mine called 'Sapphire' that had less seat (ergo more space and newer) but not sure how you got those tickets. There was a club carriage with more of a semi-circle sofa seating thing going on and movies playing, as well as the buffet car further along.
First morning got picked up at a leisurely 7:30am for my Ecojet safari. It was a complete blast. There was only me and another couple (sharing a ski) so it was probably a little faster and hairier than usual :) The only slightly disappointing thing was that, due to the tide, we couldn't get up the river where the crocs were - or we couldn't get back. Fair point I feel. We did get to travel a good length of the coast, bouncing the waves, zipping over the flat bits and going to some rally gorgeous secluded spots. Had a run in with a local beach bum 'Crayfish Ken' who's been squatting on some Crown land for about 20years and feels he owns the beach but apart from that (quietly sad and amusing at the same time) moment it was a fabulous morning.
Pottered round in the afternoon and attended a free digeridoo lesson and then learned about Opals and spent an indulgent 1/2 an hour looking at the sparkly wonders. I ended buying a ring - not sure if I got a deal or not but the colours and depth of the blues are fantastic.
Next morning was off to Salty Sea Dog Kayaking before catching the flight to Sydney. Nearly couldn't do it because the time of the ferry to the island was earlier and the shuttle for that would have been at my hostel before I would have returned. Salty Dog however are on the same pier as the ferry so in the end it didn't matter.
A point I was so glad I'd checked because it was a relaxing and beautiful morning spent in a very quiet way exploring a couple of the closer island and 'White Rock'. When you look at the Whitsunday's on a map - or even on Google Earth, you cannot prepare yourself for the actual experience of being among the islands. They are tall and covered in lush green forest, some with coves and Bays. Due to this the whole area feels a lot 'closer' than you would imagine by looking at the map - you also feel surrounded - but in a nice way. The Kayak's were 2 person and I was paired up with a guy from America who'd left his hungover mated sleeping and come out for some exercise. Very handy he was :) We got to float in the cove for a bit and watch turtles surfacing for air, paddle over loads of coral and peer through the clear waters at the colours and life going on there.
To be honest, I'd been a bit spoiled for the snorkelling and life underwater by my GBR experience, but the whole morning spent between the islands and in the silence was wonderful. If I ever go back I'm definitely going to try one of the multi-day trips where you get to camp on the islands as you go.
Caught the Ferry over the Hamilton Isd, which doubled as great way to see most of the islands and get some great photos. Have you ever played Wii Sport Resort? Hamilton Island IS that island - complete with Golf Buggy carts to travel everywhere and a giant Golfball on a tee. Had a little chuckle to myself and took a couple of photos as proof before heading into the small airport and settling down for a 3 hour wait for the delayed plane to Sydney.
Monday 9 August 2010
Tuesday 3 August 2010
Scuba baby yeah!
Managed to get a lie in in Alice and then went into town for some needed souvenir shopping. Ended up with a didgeridoo that's wending it's way back to England as we speak. Yet another random instrument to add to my repertoire. All I've got to do is learn to rotary breathe and it'll be sweet.
I don't think that school is in any danger of a didgeridoo orchestra any time soon though.
Flew to Cairns with the Austrian couple who'd been on the tour and then found my way to Northern Greenhouse. This hostel definitely deserves it's status as one of the top 5 in Australia - it's fantastic. I was in a girl's only dorm. 3 bunk beds, en-suite bathroom, sink, balcony, Wardrobe and Fridge Freezer. In the communal area there's free Internet, a massive kitchen, tables, lounge area, pool and parking. It's a stone's throw from the esplanade but far enough away that it's fairly quiet. Loved it.
Also, as Pro-Dive correctly informed me, it's only a couple of blocks from the 24-Hour Medical centre and 2 doors down from their shop. As instructed I dumped my bags (by which I mean I literally went in removed them onto my bed, grabbed my wallet and left straight away) and headed to the medical centre. I was worried as I had only just about got rid of the worst of the cold and was serruptisiously blowing my nose whilst sitting in the waiting room - mostly by going to see what fascinating things the pharmacy had! Passed everything I needed to - discovered I need to lose at least 3/4stone to be at my target weight (project for when I get back?) and went straight to Pro-Dive wear they checked everything thoroughly and then kitted me out with my BCD, fins, mask & snorkel.
Went for a stroll along the esplanade and found a pizza for $9 (Dominic's) and ate it whilst devouring some surfing time at a local internet place. The guy in the booth next to me asked me where I got it and then left about 3mins later!
Next morning I was at the shop for 6:10 (after discovering that I had failed to alter my alarm to Adelaide time and having a small coronary on looking at my watch) and once everyone had arrived and been checked in we were driven out to Scuba Pro II.
I wish I could describe how awesome my time onboard was but it would take ages (and it's not like me to rattle on....*hm*) so I'll try to keep it brief.
My instructor was Chris, brilliant teacher and made me and the other newbie to the 5-day learning group feel welcome and included. The whole crew were so personable and approachable, you felt safe at all times and everything was done with great attention to detail. The boat was clean and very practical. I ended up with my own room on the top deck which was nice although barely anytime was spent in there. Max was our chef and the meals were healthy and filling - he manged to bake a cake everyday as well as everything else :)
We were really lucky with the weather and the sun shone and the sky was blue the whole way through the time on the reef. I completed my 4 training dives by the 2nd day and then was free to dive with my Buddy (Dutch guy named Luit) on the other dives. Important thing to remember when doing training dives in the sea - when you have to clear your mask of water, don't open your eyes, salt stings.
My ear was not a happy bunny on that first free dive and some water got in making me exceptionally dizzy so we surfaced and I had to be 'tired diver' towed to the boat. That night was out night dive. I wasn't going to try but in the end though I'd kick myself if it turned out to be fine - which it did! And besides, who doesn't want to jump into the dark (not that it was really that dark with all the lights on) when they've been feeding the grey reef sharks off the boat beforehand and they're still hanging around to see if their luck's in? Next morning ear went bad again so decided on snorkeling for the next 2 to give it a rest. I had started my Adventure Diver but as I'd not filled in the book it didn't matter, my night dive still counts though :)
The Great Barrier Reef is very like Uluru in a way - so much to see it's really hard to take it in. On our training dives we did skills with a swim around in between and then skills at the end - so taking in what I was looking at was tricky. I do remember the Moray Eel with it's scary looking head and looooong body. The Christmas tree coral that were blue and looked like festive trees - until you ran you hand past them and they shrunk back into the rock. Diving and snorkeling I saw, amongst other things: Nemo's, Dori's, Red Bass, Trumpet Fish, Lion Fish, Parrot Fish, Napoleon Wrasse, Fusilier Fish, Butterfly Fish, Sea Cucumbers, Giant (and I mean GIANT) Clams, Banner Fish, all sorts of colourful coral, Humbug Fish, Goat fish - and most excitingly, Flat Worm (doesn't sound exciting but hard to find and sooo pretty) Blue Spotted Rays, a White tipped Reef Shark, and....a TURTLE!!! The turtle was so special. I spotted it and could hear it munching away when I was snorkeling. Then it came up to the surface for air and we swam along next to it for a bit before it disappeared back down. So beautiful :)
I can't wait to come back some time and explore more. I will definitely be coming with Pro-Dive, they made the whole thing so relaxed and there was the right balance of rest and Diving.
After lunch on the last day we headed for shore and then got dropped off back at the store, pottered next door to the hostel to settle in and then headed out to meet everyone for a meal at 'Rattle & Hum'. Good Times:)
I don't think that school is in any danger of a didgeridoo orchestra any time soon though.
Flew to Cairns with the Austrian couple who'd been on the tour and then found my way to Northern Greenhouse. This hostel definitely deserves it's status as one of the top 5 in Australia - it's fantastic. I was in a girl's only dorm. 3 bunk beds, en-suite bathroom, sink, balcony, Wardrobe and Fridge Freezer. In the communal area there's free Internet, a massive kitchen, tables, lounge area, pool and parking. It's a stone's throw from the esplanade but far enough away that it's fairly quiet. Loved it.
Also, as Pro-Dive correctly informed me, it's only a couple of blocks from the 24-Hour Medical centre and 2 doors down from their shop. As instructed I dumped my bags (by which I mean I literally went in removed them onto my bed, grabbed my wallet and left straight away) and headed to the medical centre. I was worried as I had only just about got rid of the worst of the cold and was serruptisiously blowing my nose whilst sitting in the waiting room - mostly by going to see what fascinating things the pharmacy had! Passed everything I needed to - discovered I need to lose at least 3/4stone to be at my target weight (project for when I get back?) and went straight to Pro-Dive wear they checked everything thoroughly and then kitted me out with my BCD, fins, mask & snorkel.
Went for a stroll along the esplanade and found a pizza for $9 (Dominic's) and ate it whilst devouring some surfing time at a local internet place. The guy in the booth next to me asked me where I got it and then left about 3mins later!
Next morning I was at the shop for 6:10 (after discovering that I had failed to alter my alarm to Adelaide time and having a small coronary on looking at my watch) and once everyone had arrived and been checked in we were driven out to Scuba Pro II.
I wish I could describe how awesome my time onboard was but it would take ages (and it's not like me to rattle on....*hm*) so I'll try to keep it brief.
My instructor was Chris, brilliant teacher and made me and the other newbie to the 5-day learning group feel welcome and included. The whole crew were so personable and approachable, you felt safe at all times and everything was done with great attention to detail. The boat was clean and very practical. I ended up with my own room on the top deck which was nice although barely anytime was spent in there. Max was our chef and the meals were healthy and filling - he manged to bake a cake everyday as well as everything else :)
We were really lucky with the weather and the sun shone and the sky was blue the whole way through the time on the reef. I completed my 4 training dives by the 2nd day and then was free to dive with my Buddy (Dutch guy named Luit) on the other dives. Important thing to remember when doing training dives in the sea - when you have to clear your mask of water, don't open your eyes, salt stings.
My ear was not a happy bunny on that first free dive and some water got in making me exceptionally dizzy so we surfaced and I had to be 'tired diver' towed to the boat. That night was out night dive. I wasn't going to try but in the end though I'd kick myself if it turned out to be fine - which it did! And besides, who doesn't want to jump into the dark (not that it was really that dark with all the lights on) when they've been feeding the grey reef sharks off the boat beforehand and they're still hanging around to see if their luck's in? Next morning ear went bad again so decided on snorkeling for the next 2 to give it a rest. I had started my Adventure Diver but as I'd not filled in the book it didn't matter, my night dive still counts though :)
The Great Barrier Reef is very like Uluru in a way - so much to see it's really hard to take it in. On our training dives we did skills with a swim around in between and then skills at the end - so taking in what I was looking at was tricky. I do remember the Moray Eel with it's scary looking head and looooong body. The Christmas tree coral that were blue and looked like festive trees - until you ran you hand past them and they shrunk back into the rock. Diving and snorkeling I saw, amongst other things: Nemo's, Dori's, Red Bass, Trumpet Fish, Lion Fish, Parrot Fish, Napoleon Wrasse, Fusilier Fish, Butterfly Fish, Sea Cucumbers, Giant (and I mean GIANT) Clams, Banner Fish, all sorts of colourful coral, Humbug Fish, Goat fish - and most excitingly, Flat Worm (doesn't sound exciting but hard to find and sooo pretty) Blue Spotted Rays, a White tipped Reef Shark, and....a TURTLE!!! The turtle was so special. I spotted it and could hear it munching away when I was snorkeling. Then it came up to the surface for air and we swam along next to it for a bit before it disappeared back down. So beautiful :)
I can't wait to come back some time and explore more. I will definitely be coming with Pro-Dive, they made the whole thing so relaxed and there was the right balance of rest and Diving.
After lunch on the last day we headed for shore and then got dropped off back at the store, pottered next door to the hostel to settle in and then headed out to meet everyone for a meal at 'Rattle & Hum'. Good Times:)
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