Archive for the ‘Airlie Beach’ Category

Back from the Whitsundays

Monday, February 19th, 2007

That’s me just back from my trip around the Whitsundays on the Anoconnda III yacht.
Unfortunately the weather got the better of us so we didn’t make it out to the outer barrier reef due to storm warnings. We had an option of mooring at Hamilton Island and using the resort there, but the whole boat wasn’t in agreement. Unlike the 6 expected dives, we only made three. The visibility was only 3-5 metres so pretty unexceptional diving.
But…the trip was still good – a great crowd and crew, but they only put two of the sails up on the return leg back to Airlie Beach. It turned out quite an expensive trip for the few dives I got. It’s no Thailand here – paying for soft drinks, water etc.
To be honest, the Whistundays weren’t quite as amazing as I expected them to be. Partly due to the weather, but partly due to the amount of travelling. It’s a shame but it’s hard to think that *everywhere* is amazing. I think the best way to see them would be from the air. We stopped off at a beach that was meant to be one of the top three in the world according to National Geographic, but it wasn’t (although the sand was the purest in the world apparently – used for the hubble telescope). I’m sure the Scottish Hebrides are just as impressive as the whitsundays – just not the same level of wildlife maybe. And it’s a shame out water is bloody freezing.

Anyway, it’s out for a few drinks with the boat crowd tonight, then pretty much all day travelling to the west coast (Perth) tomorrow. This trip just make me want to dive at Ningaloo Reef more, but money and time doesn’t allow it.

Perth, Alice Springs and Adelaide

Friday, February 16th, 2007

I’m just off the overnight bus from Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach. Ha, and the people here complain about long bus journeys – so comfy compared to thers on my trip, and it didn’t seem long at all.

As expected (and as in Fraser Island), I arrived and it quickly pissed it down, so could be an ‘interesting’ trip, but it clears up more than it rains, guess the views, pictures and diving may just not be, well….perfect. Anyway, I’ve not had breakfast yet or checked in for the boat as I’ve been busy catching up and spending more money booking trips to Uluru (Ayers Rock).

I now fly from Perth on Tues 4th March to Alice Springs, then pick up a 3 day Uluru Safari with Kings Canyon, the Olgas and Uluru (Ayers Rock) with Adventure Tours Australia, then join a 2 day Boomerang tour from Alice Springs to Adelaide with Groovy Grape. I had hoped to do it all as one trip with Groovy Grape but the date I had to do it was fully booked. Anyway, I’ve heard mixed reports about ‘the big stone’ but I’m glad I’m heading up there now, despite the costs. Unfortunately I’ve done this as my planned dive trip to Ningaloo Reef at Exmouth was too expensive as I missed the cheap flights, and Kalgoorie and Esperance just didn’t quite fit in timewise.

If I got the address right, you can look at my new travel calendar.

I hope to dive south of Perth next week around Dunsborough, then head to Margaret River area, returning for the weekend in Perth on Saturday or Sunday. Tonight I head on my Whitsundays trip.

Sorry for being poor on replying to emails – the net is more expensive here, I’ve been rushing around from place to place, and they don’t like you plugging in laptops and USB pen drive – thus the lack of photos! Keep your fingers crossed for my weather the next few days!