It's the sailing life for me....

Cape Hillsborough

Due to our last minute planning, we had miscalculated our Whitsunday trip by 2 days and needed to find somewhere to be that was not too far from Airlie Beach. We found this charming spot in Cape Hillsborough National Park. Our campsite was home to many wallabies, kangaroos and wild turkeys....we have come to the conclusion that these three animals take the place of squirrels and pigeons is most parks throughout Queensland. Literally, they were just hanging out and watching me do laundry. Each night our campsite was just alongside the beach and we woke to the sound of waves....not too shabby.

Mommy and Joey Kangaroos

Airlie Beach and Whitsunday Islands

After completing a small detour to Cannonvale to repair the cooler-fridge in Lacy, we were based in Airlie Beach for three days. Airlie Beach is a small town that is packed with tourists, as it is the jumping off point for Whitsunday cruising. Inadvertantly, Mark and i had planned our days in Airlieright in the middle of "Schoolies Week". This is the week where thousands of graduating 17-18 year olds congregate in the beach resorts towns (Surfer's Paradise and Airlie Beach)to drink themselves silly and celebrate end of school year. Sadly we didn't get to take part in the festivities  (we weren't even carded once...I guess we look like true adults now), since we had to prepare to bord our sailing boat.

On tuesday, we set sail on the "Silent Night", a true racing sail boat. the 40-foot ship was our home to share with 10 other tourists and 2 crew. Luckily after being in Lucy for almost 10 days, the close accomodations didn't even phase me.

We sailed....truly sailed. at times the deck of the boat was almost vertical and we would have to sit "racing style" on the high side of the deck (with our legs hanging over towards the water), while the opposite side of the deck was almost submerged.

Mark helping put the sails up.

We sailed to 3 islands (Whitsunday, Hook and Black islands), saw gorgeous beaches (especially Whitehaven beach, where the sand was so fine it would turn to paste when wet, and squeek underfoot when you walked barefoot), and snorkeled in secluded bays.

Whitehaven Beach

Snorkeling in the reef was amazing. The coral was not as bashed up as in Cairns and we saw hundreds of fish, turtles, dolphins and stingers (not the dangerous kind....we had stinger suits on just in case though).

Fish around the boat...great for snorkling.

Mark in his stinger suit.

It was great to be on such a small boat and the size of the group really made the experience very intimate rather than commercial. Each night, all of us guests would drink beer and "goon" (cheap australian box wine...approx $10 for 4 liters) alongside our captain, Peter, and deckhand, Wilson. Wilson is an accomplished guitarist, and would play each night. We would lie on the deck, looking up at the stars and listen to the music until the day of snorkeling, sun and goon would close our eyes....it was absolute paradise. I think I have found my new happy place.

Sunset from the ship deck.

Our sailing friends.

Eungella National Park

Relunctantly we left our sailing trip and continued our drive south. On Mark's insistence, we took a side trip to find platypus (plural...platypie???) in the Eungella (pronounced "young-glah")National Park. After the days at sea, being back on solid ground felt a bit strange and I was a little grumpy. But, I have to hand it to Mark....look at our morning coffee view from our campsite!!

Looking at the pioneer valley....

 Happy couple in the national park...just a little pink.

We did manage to see a platypus..but photos are nearly impossible, since the are so shy and dive under the water at the slightest sound.

Now we are truly back on the road. Mark, Lucy and I are heading to Bundaberg (for some rum and ginger beer), then a few days in Hervey Bay to visit Fraser Island. We love and miss you all....

Cheers,

Sarah and Mark

SIDEBAR-

For those wondering how two people of irish decent (read; pale) are doing with the down-under sun...so far no horrible sunburns. We have been through three bottles of sunscreen and recently picked up a litre jug which now resides on Lucy's dash....I think we apply suncreen a minimum of 4 times a day. So Mom...don't worry I am being very careful. I may come back as pale as I left. :)