Lost at Sea

by Rin
Monday 29th December 2003

Whithaven Beach
The 5th most beautiful Beach in the world

What a life...I'm sitting here listening to the "Commitments Soundtrack" out in the middle of the ocean with the sun about to set and surrounded by beautiful islands with pure white sand stretching out to the waters. This is a scene from sailing the Whitsundays.

My sailing adventure didnt exactly set off smoothly because as I woke in the morning to prepare for my trip I noticed my wallet NOT in my purse. Starting to panic, I asked the other girls in my dorm if they had their wallets..."No!" Luckily the "thoughtful thief" left our purses, wallets and credit card outside of the door but left with my $80, $150 travelers checks, and drivers id. Being as it was before 8am, I was able to cancel the travelers checks without him getting a chance to use them though I was out $80. It could have been worse and Adel, the Irish Girl from my dorm, and I decided to get on with our morning and catch the bus to our sailing vessel.

Adel and I got onto the boat with 8 other "sailers:" a German couple, a Dutch couple, a guy from Brissy, a Welsh guy,and an English girl.

Whitsudays group
The 10 of us on our sailing vessel, Derwent Hunter.

Then of course there was our skipper, cook, and Ricky the Aussie sailer. On aboard the vessel...you cant wear shoes, you have to pump the toilet, limited to a 2 minute shower, and can buy tickets for beer and wine.

Off to sail we go hitting up the Whitsundy Islands, which are comprised of 78 islands just off the coast of Airlie Beach. It is home of Whithaven beach, the 5th most beautiful beach in the world, having its picture on every postcard.

On the first day we set sail for WHithaven Beach and passed the first several islands, one of which George Harrison lived on. the first couple of hours we spent getting to know everyone sharing our traveling stories, advice, and introductions. We got to Whithaven Beach seeing the kilometers of white-powder sand stretched along the Island and aqua-blue water reflecting the sun's rays. We stayed on the island for awhile walking along the water and swimming. Unfortunately it was stinger season so we had to wear stinger suits covering our bodies from head to toe and looking a bit like Batman's sidekick. We sailed on through the day and docked off of Hook Island in

Stinger suit
Me in my stinger suit on Black Island

the Hook island islet. WE enjoyed a sunset dinner and of course with a couple of beers. Instead of staying in the cabin, I decided to sleep out on the deck under the stars and the moon's light.

Day 2 we started with a morning bush walkon Hook Island. Duringour walk we came to a cave with Aboriginal drawings and then up to the top where we heard mountain goats calling from across the island. We then sailed past Hook Island to Balck Island where we went snorkling on the reef. I believe that Peter Lik definitely took a picture of Hook Island because there was a stretch of sand where all you needed was an umbrella to complete the postcard scene. After relaxing we sailed back down ending our day in Hook Island Passage.

On our last day,our final destination was Kate's Cove. It wasnt much of a sandy beach but a shore mixed with washed up coral, rocks, and shells. We did one last snorkling journey and I was amazed ar the colorful fish surrounding me and eyeing a baracuda from a distance. Sitting on the shore, I did have a moment where I had hoped

Peter Lik postcard
This was my peter lik-alike picture of Black Island

our sailboat deserted us and play a bit of survivor. We all managed to get on the boat and now it was time to sail back to Airlie Beach enging our journey at sea. I think I can see myslef owning a sailbaot in the nera future!!!

Lost at Sea

Lost at Sea

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