Whitehaven Beach. Or maybe not?

Since we decided to take the excursion in the morning, the alarm rings at 5 o'clock. It is still dark as we spoon our cereal. After half an hour's drive to the port of Airlie Beach, we board the ship at 7 o'clock that is supposed to take us to the "whitest beach in the world." On the way, we learn that Whitehaven Beach will not be the destination of the trip today. When we pass the beach with the ship, we can see why. Excavators and cranes are there, where usually the tourists chase after the perfect picture with their cameras. The captain explains to us that it will take a few more weeks until the effects of the cyclone are no longer visible. Instead of Whitehaven Beach, he drops us off at a smaller beach section (Chalkies Beach). Here, the damage is not so serious and the beach is a bit away from the tourist masses' flight path.

We enjoy the hours on the white sandy beach, admire the turquoise blue water and lie in the sun. Around noon, we are picked up again and taken back to Airlie Beach. Even though the return trip takes a bit longer due to some organizational discrepancies and the sea is partially testing our stomachs, the excursion was worth it.

After buying food for the next few days and reaching the campsite, we wash our clothes and cook. Showered, full and tired, we escape the mosquitoes in the camper.

Tomorrow we will continue towards Mission Beach. Another good 6 hours in the car. It's time for the distances to become smaller. In Indonesia then ; )