On 14th June, there was settled weather, and that means that the outer islands called again. Departed Nara and sailed through Hook passage, which was something like a mini-Port Philip Rip, then turned south. However both wind and tide made progress slow and tedious, but eventually made it into Tongue bay on the eastern side of Whitsunday Island. A sheltered and quiet anchorage. A turtle came close by to visit us, and went ashore on tongue point, fantastic scenery, and the claim to be ‘very photogenic’ seems justified. Culinary pleasures continued.
15th June
Wx continues to be good, and after another excursion ashore, headed further south. Again, the Whitehaven sirens called us and we anchored about half way down the length, and sometimes from the boat, sometimes from the beach, watched the seaplanes, helicopters, and huge fancy gin-palace power boats bring the rich for their time on the famous snowy white sands. End of the day after all the tourist boats left, we moved the last couple of miles to the sheltered southern end for the night.
Wx continues to be good, and after another excursion ashore, headed further south. Again, the Whitehaven sirens called us and we anchored about half way down the length, and sometimes from the boat, sometimes from the beach, watched the seaplanes, helicopters, and huge fancy gin-palace power boats bring the rich for their time on the famous snowy white sands. End of the day after all the tourist boats left, we moved the last couple of miles to the sheltered southern end for the night.
16th June
Remained all morning in this idyllic & iconic beach, mainly because we had it to ourselves – entirely alone – amazing and first time this has occurred here, but not arguing. Departed lunch time with the arrival of other people on boats, and sailed north, back into Tongue bay for a relaxing play afternoon, watching turtles around the bay, a happy hour which included our own bruschetta, and yet another lovely quiet evening.
Remained all morning in this idyllic & iconic beach, mainly because we had it to ourselves – entirely alone – amazing and first time this has occurred here, but not arguing. Departed lunch time with the arrival of other people on boats, and sailed north, back into Tongue bay for a relaxing play afternoon, watching turtles around the bay, a happy hour which included our own bruschetta, and yet another lovely quiet evening.
17th June
After a quiet night and a splendid dawn with the sun rising over Tongue point, the morning was spent exploring the tracks through Tongue point and over into Hill Inlet. The lookout there is amazing, and walking the beach at the mouth of Hill inlet in warm calm sun was wonderful. Sailed late morning with the tide along the eastern side of the islands all the way to the northern-most point and into Butterfly bay. Good visibility in the water, low tide, and good extensive coral reefs led to us both enjoying a long snorkel session, followed by the usual happy hour and another culinary masterpiece.
After a quiet night and a splendid dawn with the sun rising over Tongue point, the morning was spent exploring the tracks through Tongue point and over into Hill Inlet. The lookout there is amazing, and walking the beach at the mouth of Hill inlet in warm calm sun was wonderful. Sailed late morning with the tide along the eastern side of the islands all the way to the northern-most point and into Butterfly bay. Good visibility in the water, low tide, and good extensive coral reefs led to us both enjoying a long snorkel session, followed by the usual happy hour and another culinary masterpiece.
18th June
Still clear and sunny, with stronger winds today, but no concerns on a mooring in this lovely sheltered spot. To avoid the currents however, left at the change of tide and moved around to Stonehaven on the western side of Hook Island and within range of the mainland for signal and posting of this blog.
Still clear and sunny, with stronger winds today, but no concerns on a mooring in this lovely sheltered spot. To avoid the currents however, left at the change of tide and moved around to Stonehaven on the western side of Hook Island and within range of the mainland for signal and posting of this blog.
Time now has lost much of its meaning, the days are blending one into the next, losing all track of time, days or even months; weekends mean zip. If it were not for the weather schedules (which occur at specific times and give dates), I would be unaware of any of that. It will be difficult indeed to reverse this later when returning to ‘civilisation’
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