Well, just
when the blog started taking a turn for boring-ville, Steve and I got some more
visitors! And more visitors means more travelling. Which means I get to brag
about some super cool stuff we’ve done in the past few weeks. If you get
jealous while you’re reading, keep in mind that I’ve just started getting over
a horrendous bout of the flu and didn’t leave the apartment for 3 days straight.
(Nothing comes for free!)
This
adventure starts with the jolly ol’ Wignalls coming to town! My parents
respectfully waited a couple of weeks after my sister’s visit before they
hopped on an aircraft and made their way down under. Once again, our tiny
studio apartment became teeming with life! Kind of like an urban version of the
Great Barrier Reef that we were about to embark on, suitcases, dirty socks,
loose change and an endless trail of empty wine bottles were peeking out of
every spare nook and cranny. We spent a
few days shuffling those two around Melbourne’s hot spots – including a well-worth-the-wait meal at Mamasita’s -
but Friday was the day we were all waiting for - the Whitsundays!
Friday morning
we skeptically hopped onto Tiger airways and zoomed to Mackay Airport, where we
jumped in our rental car and struck out across the sugar cane fields in search
of the ocean. It wasn’t far away at all, and when we arrived in Airlie beach,
the lure of cold beer and a sausage sizzle drove us into the tent of some
celebrating sailboat racers. Even though we didn’t fit in with the seaworthy
group, nobody seemed to mind. Sitting with a view of the harbor and sipping a
cold one is really where the vacation started.
The sun
sunk into the hills behind the sailboats and it was time for our departure on
the Anaconda III. This was a sailboat that the four of us would call home for
the next three days! However, when we climbed aboard the vessel and were
introduced to our cabin, we were wondering exactly how we were going to survive
the next few days at all! The room, quoting “2 double beds” were actually
stacked on top of each other like bunk beds, which were directly beside a tiny
shower/toilet arrangement and a 2x2 square of floor that all four of us could
not stand on at the same time. We prayed for good weather so we wouldn't have
to spend too much time in our quarters as the Anaconda patted away from the
shore.
As it turns
out, the hilarity of the cabin turned out to be the joke of the trip, and
luckily, the worst thing we had to deal with. We lucked out with gorgeous weather,
calm water, and tons of wildlife. No one got sea sick, and they didn’t run out
of beer! All of us enjoyed snorkeling, tanning, and drinking VB’s throughout
the days. One of the most fascinating parts of the trip had to be jumping off
the side of the ship, and swimming around with the batfish, giant trevally, and
Maori wrasse that loitered around the back of the boat. I think they were just
interested in the leftover bologna from lunch, but we’ll say that the big
wrasse enjoyed having a scratch behind the ears!
The Great
Barrier Reef was just as stunning as you’d imagine; pillars of coral with
thousands of fish darting in and out, beautiful colours, and looking out into
the opaque blue of the water as the ocean floor dropped away. A few times, I
duck-dove under and could hear the humpback whales singing and moaning in the
deep. We saw an endless amount of those guys breaching off in the distance from
our boat. The sight became so common that people stopped getting out their cameras
to capture the moment, and just reveled in it instead. We saw sea turtles, a
dugong, and my parents were privy to witness two manta rays!
With the
golden opportunity right in front of us, Steve and I couldn't resist going on a
SCUBA dive. Although we aren't licensed, there is an option to go on a guided swim
with a professional dive instructor from the boat at a safe depth for
beginners. It was amazing how heavy the gear felt on land, and when we tipped
backwards over the side of the dinghy, became weightless in the ocean. It was
such a cool feeling gliding among the reef, being able to stay in that world so
much longer than usual. We saw a small white-tipped reef shark (and lived to
tell about it!), and petted a massive sea cucumber. I think we even found Nemo
(aka a brightly coloured clown-fish)! As our air dwindled down, we slowly rose
to the surface and back into the light of the breathing-world. It was a really
interesting experience, and strangely calming in a way. Steve and I definitely
want to try it again – however, we may be spoiled from having our first trip in
the GBR!
Our last
stop was at the famous Whitehaven beach – sand so fine and high in silica that
it can clean your jewelry! We played in the ocean, tossing a Frisbee and
lapping up our last rays of Queensland sunshine.
The three
days ended with our sun-soaked bodies hobbling off of the deck, hugging our new
friends goodbye and looking forward to a regular hot shower in our hotel room.
From Airlie, my parents flew to Sydney to taste a little more of what Australia
has to offer, while Steve and I returned to Melbourne to work. Another
adventure wasn’t too far behind though! The next weekend everyone was reunited
and off in another rental car heading towards the Mornington Peninsula!
This
weekend was of a much different nature, but just as much of a good time. When
we arrived at our villa on the golf course, we could barely stifle a laugh at
the sheer size of the place! We basically had a townhouse to ourselves! Going
from the extreme miniature of the cabin on the boat, to separate rooms, king
size beds, and a kitchen as big as our apartment back in Melbourne!
The weekend
consisted of indulging in the nearby natural hot springs, a round of golf at
the renowned Cape Shanck (for my parents), an afternoon of wine tastings (where
my mother got more than she desired of pinot noir and chardonnay!), and a home
cooked meal of kangaroo on the barbie! The trip rounded out with an ongoing
tournament of Euchre, which I reluctantly admit the boys won (until next time!)
*By
the way Steven, if you order your
partner up, you go alone!!
It has been
surreal having so many people come visit us while we’re living down here, and
I’m really glad my parents both made it this time! It was nice to see them
travel again – something I hope they continue to do in their retirement
together. Clearly, Steve and I have caught the travel bug, and I've heard it’s
contagious. I think it would be great to do some more family tripping around
the globe in the future! First stop Australia, next, who knows!
