The Way to Great Keppel Island

A chapter full of heat, fatigue, surprises – and moments that touched me deeply.

A start in the night – and a day full of paths

The night was basically no night at all. At 3:00 AM, the alarm went off, and my body protested immediately.

Breakfast at 3:45 AM, then a taxi pickup at 4:45 AM.

Before I could finally depart, I checked in my suitcase to be sent home. My luggage for the continued journey must be minimal – an emotional moment, as this suitcase accompanied me in the first week.

Sydney → Brisbane – A brief yet significant stopover

The first flight went to Brisbane – a place where parts of my family were just a week ago.

A quiet moment in between, just an hour layover, but with significance.

Brisbane → Rockhampton – The old feeling of the propeller plane

Then onwards:

A small propeller plane to Rockhampton.

I knew this feeling – back then with my wife in Prague.

It was loud, vibrating, cramped – but exciting.

Today was no less exciting.

I sat right next to the propeller.

The noise was intense, but somehow it reminded me of past travel adventures.

The arrival in Rockhampton was pleasantly straightforward:

Luggage immediately available, a small airport, clearly structured – almost Mediterranean.

The driver Garry – and the sweetest pineapple of my life

Then came the first surprising moment of the day.

Garry, my driver, suddenly stopped at the roadside and said:

“You have to try this.”

Completely fatigued, I translated – Pineapple.

Pineapple.

But not just any pineapple.

The one in Rockhampton is said to be extraordinarily sweet.

I had not a single Australian dollar with me.

Garry smiled, pressed 2 dollars into my hand, and gifted me a gesture greater than the fruit itself.

I will respectfully “devour” this pineapple today or tomorrow.

Waiting at the ferry terminal – first impressions of paradise

I have deposited my luggage, and now I am waiting for the ferry.

Departure at 3:00 PM, boarding from 2:30 PM.

From a distance, Great Keppel Island looks like a dream:

Turquoise, white, green – Caribbean, without being the Caribbean.

I am supposed to sleep right on the beach.

Just the thought is magical.

Lunch: Goldband Snapper – ordered blind

I am sitting in a small restaurant and have learned:

👉 Fish only on the coast.

The daily fish was Goldband Snapper – ordered blind.

And as always in Australia: delicious.

Australia and the reality of nature – “Stingers”

Today I also learned something important:

In Australia, “Stingers” refers to highly poisonous jellyfish species:

• Box Jellyfish (Cube Jellyfish) – deadly
• Irukandji – tiny, but extremely dangerous

The stinger season lasts from November to May.

Right now.

I need to ask for a protective suit – nature is beautiful, but also unpredictable.

I will ask my dive team.

An unforgettable moment – my first sea turtle

And then something happened that touched me completely unexpectedly:

I saw a sea turtle for the first time in my life,

gliding slowly through the water and eating.

I stood there – and a small tear ran down my face.

Not out of sadness, but out of beauty.

A moment I will never forget.

Preparation for the crossing – and a little adventure

I bought motion sickness tablets – a little jab at age, but you know how it is.

And then came the crossing.

I have never experienced a ferry ride so choppy.

The wind, the waves, the spray – everything was wild.

I had to tie my bag down,

got really wet,

could barely keep my glasses on,

definitely not my hat.

It was chaotic – and at the same time breathtaking.

I was fully in the moment, alive, grateful.

But I did not get seasick – lucky me.

Arrival at the beach – walking into the adventure

The ferry docked right at the beach.

My luggage was picked up by the team,

I walked barefoot along the sand, passing my dive station.

There I met one of the divers – I will probably dive with him tomorrow.

I will tell you more about that in the next report.

Finally, I found the reception and received initial hints –

about what can be dangerous here,

why some animals look so harmless but are not,

and what to pay special attention to.

A day full of emotions, excitement, and nature's force

Now I sit here – still tired, but fulfilled –

and let it all sink in:

• Got up at 3 AM
• Two flights
• One transfer
• One gift (pineapple)
• A turtle that brought tears to my eyes
• A wild crossing
• The feeling of arriving in a different world

If only Bibo and the kids were here now – it would be perfect.

So it is: fantastic.

Another day in a travel adventure that continuously surprises and deeply touches me.