Australia: Whitsunday Islands/Great Barrier Reef
Michael and I traveled to Australia as part of our 2007 career break. The following is an excerpt from our travel blog.
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Another bright and early day as we set off from the Hervey Bay area and headed south to Brisbane via train. Four hours later and we were awaiting our flight north to Proserpine. From there a shuttle bus took us to Airlie Beach. And then we made our way by foot to Abel Point Marina. By sunset we were on a catamaran and ready to set sail for the Whitsunday Islands. After so much movement in our first week, we were looking forward to anchoring ourselves in one spot for three days – even if our home was moving itself.
One of my favorite experiences from my last visit was sailing the Whitsundays, and I wanted Michael to experience it as well. And Michael was really looking forward to diving the Great Barrier Reef. With our tight schedule, we were uncertain if we could squeeze both in, but luckily our boat, the Pacific Star, cruised the Whitsundays and motored out to the outer reef for diving and snorkeling. Perfectly timed. Now we hoped the weather would cooperate.
As we set out at night to a nearly full moon, we sipped rum as we searched the sky for stars. Michael was determined to drink just rum and didn’t let the “no bottles” rule get in his way. Nothing like a good 1.5 liter plastic water bottle for filling up with Bundaberg rum.
We woke up to a glorious morning at Whitsunday Island, the largest island in the Whitsunday group. We anchored in Tongue Bay and hiked up for a beautiful view of Hill Inlet. Then down to the north end of Whitehaven Beach – otherwise known as Betty Beach. The 6.7km stretch of sand most recognized in photos as Whitehaven Beach rested to our south. But we still enjoyed the pure white sand and crystal clear waters that surrounded us. After a few hours we were back on the boat and enjoyed a delicious lunch as we motored our way out to Bait Reef for snorkeling – the Whitsundays barely visible in the distance.
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As we woke up the next morning, our views were pure reef, water and sky. Not a cloud or land mass in sight. We were certainly in reef territory. Shane, our captain, knew of a perfect reef that was last visited by someone else over eight years before. Nicknamed “Club 21” reef, this is where Michael would have his first diving experience.
For the afternoon, we headed to Nett Reef. As the tide was low, it was fantastic for snorkeling as we could get up nice and close to the coral and fish. And we stayed here so that the certified divers, including Michael, could have a go at night diving under a full moon.
We motored through the night so that we could make it back to Hayman Island in the Whitsundays for our last day of diving and snorkeling. Our third and final day on the Pacific Star was just as beautiful as the first two. And as we pulled back into the marina, our thoughts looked ahead to a good shower, a steady bed, and a cold beer.
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Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.