34th-38th day 19.10. - 23.10. Fitzroy Island and farewell at Spencers

Friday 19.10.

Today was again a pretty normal day. Housework, cleaning, feeding animals. But I was already looking forward to the weekend. In the early afternoon I made a lot of sandwiches. When Matthew came home at 4 o'clock, we both quickly put our already packed bags on the pallet of his car. We did the shopping yesterday evening. Then we went to the school, picked up Sam and Katja, and dropped off Katja at Hanna's workplace. So the three of us men drove to the dinghy, then to the sailing boat, and after stowing all the equipment, we set off for Fitzroy Island, an island 19 nautical miles (about 35km) from the port.

Since there was a relatively unfavorable wind blowing, we had a lot of barnacles on the hull, and we didn't want to strain the engine too much, we started with 2-3 miles per hour, almost snail pace. A little outside the port, we hoisted the front sail, as the main sail is defective and lying in the garden at home. But it still took us a long way. We started at 5 pm and arrived at 11 pm after almost 6 hours. Samuel had slept in the meantime.

After finding an anchor spot, everyone made their bed. Sam and I slept on deck, Matthew below deck.

Saturday 20.10.

We woke up relatively early, as Sam also woke up and of course wanted to have breakfast. So we had coffee first, and what good coffee. Some sandwiches, a Milo for Sam (Australian Kaba also from Nestlé). Well fortified, we got into the dinghy and drove to the beach. But not with me.

I packed my dry bag, water bottle, hat, sunscreen, and then it was off into the water and swimming to the beach. When we arrived, Matt hung up his hammock and Sam played in the water. I set off and explored the island's hiking trails. Fitzroy Island is a tourist island and can be reached very quickly by ferry from Cairns. The hiking trails are very beautiful and can be walked with flip flops or barefoot. When I reached the summit, I, as everyone knows me, climbed up to the highest rock, and then I saw an impressive view. Wow, what a panoramic view, 360°.

I continued on to the lighthouse and then made my way back to the beach, because my stomach was rumbling.

At noon we had sandwiches and a few cold beers on the boat, Great Northern Super Crisp Lager, the best beer so far. After eating, Matthew and I got to work. Armed with a scraper, diving mask, and snorkel, we went into the water to free the boat's hull from the many barnacles. It was a very exhausting job, which was rewarded with a cold beer on the beach. Then we went back to the beach and I used the hammock, and I must say, I need one too! Later, I drove the dinghy a little, because that was a lot of fun, and before I knew it, I was a water taxi for a few ladies. They asked for help and dry feet. So I took them to the beach. I met exactly those women again in the evening at the bar. Natasha Pierce is on the island with her family and a neighbor, and we had a very good conversation and an amusing evening. A little tipsy, we went back to the sailboat. There I saw Matt and Sam still fishing, which looked very cool with a spotlight at night. And they promptly caught a nice little squid, which will be fried at home in a few days. Then we went to sleep and that was quite nice. Still, I woke up at 3 o'clock, chatted a bit with Katrin and saw some fish and even a shark about 2 meters long circling our boat.

Sunday 21.10.

At 6:45 we had to get up again, as the morning sun woke us up. And what a beautiful sunrise awaited us there. A rising sun behind the island, illuminating everything in color and bringing it to life. Just pure nature, and to experience it on a ship. After a coffee, we had a nice morning. I played with Sam so that Matt could relax a bit. At 1 o'clock in the afternoon, Hanna and Katja arrived by ferry, and we spent another 2-3 hours together. I took the children on my rented stand-up paddleboard and we paddled around a bit, even saw several turtles coming up for air. After a good but late lunch in a restaurant, we went back to the sailboat ready to start the journey home. The journey home was very relaxed, with a good steady wind and bright sunshine. On the boat, I also discovered a new favorite spot of mine. Sitting high up on the mast at a height of 12 meters. 

It's quite wobbly, but indescribably beautiful. When we arrived home, there wasn't much going on. I booked a hostel because I wanted to move on Tuesday evening, because after 38 days in Cairns, I thought it was the best for me.

Monday 22.10.

Today I continued the search for a car, but didn't find anything appealing. In the evening, the family and I went to the Chinese restaurant, as a farewell dinner for me, which I was very happy about. We had a nice evening and still had many interesting conversations.

Tuesday 23.10.

Today I was again looking for a car, but also packing my backpack and stuff, because after dinner, Hanna drove me to the new hostel, Mad Monkeys Backpacker Cairns, where Lisa Keating was already staying. But as a farewell, I fulfilled my promise and made my favorite food, potato cordon bleu. It was very delicious, but it didn't work out with the potatoes as well as at home. Because 'Home always tastes best!'