We just got back from an amazing sailing tour around the Whitsunday Islands. Sunday evening around 18:30 a group of exclusively Europeans (2 Belgians, 2 Dutch, 4 Germans, and this strange Swiss couple) boarded the
Madison, a 16 meter Yacht, in Airley Beach Marina. The skipper Robbie (an American) and the Deckhands Bryony (England) were a wonderful team, briefing us on the safety, trip, and other essentials. Robbie customized the 3 day sailing trip after each one of us had an opportunity to share with the group what they expected! We set sail around 20:00 and and after about 1.5 h under an almost full-moon which illuminated all of the islands around us, we anchored in a cozy bay off of Hook Island (pretty much straight east from Airley Beach). After some snacks and stimulating conversation we hit the bunks around midnight.
The next morning we got up at 5:00 to catch a beautiful sun rising over the pacific waters as we sailed approximately 3 hours to Bait Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef. We were fortunate to be able to meet up with a diving boat and 6 of our group including myself went scuba diving while the rest did some wonderful snorkeling. I wish I had an underwater camera to share the amazing world below the surface with you guys... but its something you just have to experience... it's like visiting a different planet. After lunch, there was more time for snorkeling before we had to head back toward the Whitsundays to arrive before dark.
Yesterday we got up around 6:00 to more beautiful weather and visited world-famous Whitehaven beach. The sand is said to be almost 95% quarts and is so fine that it will scratch your glasses, ruin your camera and get into every possible place you can imagine. We spent the morning enjoying the turquois colors, due to the refraction of the light within the water containing these same crystals and headed back on board for lunch. Then we sailed on thru the Solway Passage and anchored near yet another picture perfect beach. The sand here was so fine that your feet sqweakt when you walk on it (kinda like snow in Minnesota at -20 C). We swam back to the boat and had a full-moon evening with conversation carrying on until 23:30.
Today we got up around 6:00 and sailed around the southern-most tip of the Whitsunday Island, just north of Hamilton Island and back around the western shore of the Island past Cid Island and Harbor before anchoring in another bay of Hook island. Here we snorkeled and swam enjoying the warm tropical waters. Before we knew it we were on our way back to Airley Beach. Slow sailing without motor took us past North Molle Island at 4 kts before arriving back in Airley beach around 14:45. Anja is currently seeing a chiropractic because her Ischias Nerve is bothering her in her left leg. Hopefully they will be able to fix her up so we can enjoy our next destination: Fraser Island.
We just got back from an amazing sailing tour around the Whitsunday Islands. Sunday evening around 18:30 a group of exclusively Europeans (2 Belgians, 2 Dutch, 4 Germans, and this strange Swiss couple) boarded the Madison, a 16 meter Yacht, in Airley Beach Marina. The skipper Robbie (an American) and the Deckhands Bryony (England) were a wonderful team, briefing us on the safety, trip, and other essentials. Robbie customized the 3 day sailing trip after each one of us had an opportunity to share with the group what they expected! We set sail around 20:00 and and after about 1.5 h under an almost full-moon which illuminated all of the islands around us, we anchored in a cozy bay off of Hook Island (pretty much straight east from Airley Beach). After some snacks and stimulating conversation we hit the bunks around midnight.
The next morning we got up at 5:00 to catch a beautiful sun rising over the pacific waters as we sailed approximately 3 hours to Bait Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef. We were fortunate to be able to meet up with a diving boat and 6 of our group including myself went scuba diving while the rest did some wonderful snorkeling. I wish I had an underwater camera to share the amazing world below the surface with you guys... but its something you just have to experience... it's like visiting a different planet. After lunch, there was more time for snorkeling before we had to head back toward the Whitsundays to arrive before dark.
Yesterday we got up around 6:00 to more beautiful weather and visited world-famous Whitehaven beach. The sand is said to be almost 95% quarts and is so fine that it will scratch your glasses, ruin your camera and get into every possible place you can imagine. We spent the morning enjoying the turquois colors, due to the refraction of the light within the water containing these same crystals and headed back on board for lunch. Then we sailed on thru the Solway Passage and anchored near yet another picture perfect beach. The sand here was so fine that your feet sqweakt when you walk on it (kinda like snow in Minnesota at -20 C). We swam back to the boat and had a full-moon evening with conversation carrying on until 23:30.
Today we got up around 6:00 and sailed around the southern-most tip of the Whitsunday Island, just north of Hamilton Island and back around the western shore of the Island past Cid Island and Harbor before anchoring in another bay of Hook island. Here we snorkeled and swam enjoying the warm tropical waters. Before we knew it we were on our way back to Airley Beach. Slow sailing without motor took us past North Molle Island at 4 kts before arriving back in Airley beach around 14:45. Anja is currently seeing a chiropractic because her Ischias Nerve is bothering her in her left leg. Hopefully they will be able to fix her up so we can enjoy our next destination: Fraser Island.
3 comments:
Wow! your pictures just seem to get more and more beautiful. You truly are blessed to be on such a trip. Absolutely gorgeous stuff. Wish we could have joined you for skinny dipping ;)
We sent you a picture of Isaiah with his birthday shirt on. It's in your email account.
Went to an OTUG meeting with Markus S and Doug last night. It was really good. They asked how you were doing. I said check the blog.
Also, have started meeting 3 BSF men for breakfast every other Wednesday. I can't describe how excited I was and am for those mornings. It is a pure joy sharing time together with others discussing the Lord. Truly wonderful.
We miss you guys so much. We are almost certain to ask for a reunion in the summer. :)
Chow
Justin and Renee
Markus, you really need to look into publishing all this with National Geographic or any other reputable prints. This is unique and your writing is very rich.
Looks like i missed on the opportunity to connect our SYD Nav group and you two for a coffee or a dinner.
Walter -
Walter...
Good to hear from you again. Yeah, I was going to call Nena... however I misplaced the phone-number and the Navitaire website doesn't list any telephone numbers anymore... how sad is that!?!?! :(
Hope all is well in Minnesota. I bet the fall is beautiful and I am sure that you have gotten some hunting in, yes?
no-worries from australia... we are looking forward to fraser island.
Also, I appreciate your praise about my prose... can't say that anybody would actually publish this rubbish :) It's just a nice way of informing everyone and of course a great diary to look back onto once this dream is over.
Post a Comment