Sailing round the Whitsundays

We got a loooooong overnight bus up to Airlie beach on the 25th,which is the setting of point for the sailing trips. It's a manic crazy place, not the prettiest but a lot of fun. We met up with 4 others we went round Fraser Island with, 2 girls and 2 guys.

After being swapped boats 4 times we ended up on Hammer, an ex-racing boat that holds the record for the Sydney-Hobart race. Apart from 2 Irish guys we were the only people on board that weren't part of a bus tour. Which wouldn't have been too bad apart from they were mainly German and most were doing phd's in physics!!! Needless to say they were a bundle of laughs, they also had interesting taste in speedo swimwear mmmmmmmmm nice!?!?

The first day we started late so motored to a safe harbour and spent the night. The sky is incredibly clear out there. The germans went to bed at 10pm on the dot so we stayed up with the crew. Sleeping was in tiny swinging bunks that were surprisingly comfortable.

The next day was an early start and we got a chance to see the islands and do some proper sailing. The sails were massive and took 4 of us to hoist up. Luckily we didn't have anything to do with all the ropes as one of the crew on a neighbouring boat had his pinky finger shorn of, blood everywhere, not pleasant at all!

The whitsundays consist of 74 islands, mostly uninhabited and all gorgeous. We spent most of the second day snorkelling and sailing. I even got the chance to steer the boat for quite a while, just as well I didn't need to reverse!! We ended up at Whitehaven beach which is a long stretch of beautiful white sandy beach. It's one of the most isolated beaches in the world and looks like it's right of a postcard. Loads of stingrays and a few more sharks and turtles. Absolutely stunning.
Yet another night of German fun and frolics!!?! They very clearly didn't like our choice of music so switched the CD when noone was looking to some cheesy old man music that they said was "more appropriate!!??"

The last day was mainly spent snorkelling, sailing and dolphin watching before we, unfortunately, had to drop of the Germans. We then had the whole boat to the 4 of us and the 3 crew for the rest of the afternooon. I can't think of a better way to spend a Monday afternoon!! I could easily have spent at least another week sailing round the islands, minus the germans of course!!

Again, I'm struggling to describe the whole experience it was fantastic!!

The night we got back we spent in Airlie beach, was supposed to be a boat night out but we ended up with the 4 of us and lots of free beer, so we didn't complain that the Germans didn't turn up!!

Next stop Cairns......