Whitsundays & Airlie Beach (Oct 17-20, 2018)

After a 6-hour drive from Mission Beach via Tully, Townsville, Bowen, we arrived in Whitsundays & Airlie Beach.

The Whitsundays Islands consists of 74 islands, 17 of which are inhabited. Here you can live the South Sea dream. Pure sun, powdery, fine white beaches, and stylish sailboats. In addition to the numerous tropical islands, the region also offers impressive national parks. Airlie Beach, which is a bit kitschy but inviting and lively, is the gateway to the islands and offers plenty of entertainment.

Just a stone's throw away from our hotel is Abell Point. This was the meeting point for our Sailing Day Tour on the 'Amadeus'.

Dale, our captain, warmly welcomed us here. The Amadeus, a 30-year-old sailing ship built in Bavaria, was waiting for us. On board were two couples from Melbourne, a couple from Bielefeld, and Mick, our jack-of-all-trades. There was lively conversation. Dale told us that he had stood in front of the camera for a small scene in the movie 'Australia' with Nicole Kidman. Yes, he is a very attractive man. 🤩

After about 2 hours of travel, we arrived in Whitsundays Heaven and were able to snorkel. Jürgen was back on the boat after 15 minutes. His diving mask was a bit leaky, and he had also swallowed saltwater while diving down and apparently didn't feel like it anymore. 🙀

I think he may have been afraid of sharks.

Well: Dale mentioned before snorkeling that a few weeks ago tiger sharks were spotted in the bay and attacked and seriously injured a couple.

Not a nice story, and it happened for the first time in 30 years in this bay.

I filmed a few videos underwater again. The difference between the Great Barrier Reef here in the south and the Great Barrier in the north is:

There were more fish here, but the corals were not as beautiful. Many corals have unfortunately been destroyed by environmental influences, among other things.

As a child, it was already a dream of mine to see the Great Barrier Reef.

The underwater world is a completely different world. Underwater, you can hear the waves moving above you, you can hear yourself breathing in and out through the snorkel, you can hear the fish nibbling on the corals, and you can hear your own heartbeat, which beats a little faster.

A great experience and feeling underwater that I wouldn't want to miss.

Back on board, we had a delicious lunch. Exquisite finger food. A friend of Dale's, who is a chef, prepares it for the tours. I have posted a picture of it.

Most of the time, we sailed with the wind. We had good waves and a good tilt.

Dale had a fishing line with bait hanging the whole time, and we actually pulled a tuna on board. We professionally bled it out. After it was gutted, it was washed again in saltwater and filleted in the harbor. Everyone was allowed to take some with them. We tried a little raw (it doesn't get any fresher), but unfortunately, we couldn't take any with us because we didn't have a grill in our room. 😂

In the harbor, we have had a beer and watched the sunset.

The next day, we took it easy. Sleeping in. Shopping for sunglasses for Jürgen. His was gone overboard not even 5 minutes after we had set sail the day before.

In the afternoon, we were at the 'Airlie Beach Lagoon'. In the evening, we had seafood. After a nightcap, we packed our bags as we had to leave early the next morning. Our next destination is Myella Cattle Station in Baralaba. It's about 550 km away. 🙈

See you later.