Hamilton Island - Day 6

 Today was a big adventure day.  We snorkelled on the Great Barrier Reef.

Henry was much better, I was still without a voice and slightly paranoid when people looked at me when I coughed.  Still testing negative to COVID.

We had another early start, meeting the boat at the marina for 8.00am.  Once settled on the boat a crew member came around to conduct a risk assessment by gauging our snorkelling experience and swimming abilities.  We were also issued stinger suits, snorkels and flippers.  The schedule was for two snorkels, with lunch in between.  

It was a two and a half hour boat ride out to the reef.  Henry amused himself taking interesting panorama photos of himself inside the boat cabin, I kept drinking tea and water to stop my throat from going dry, and the time passed quickly with a morning tea to enjoy and exploring the boat.

Once we arrived, it was a little confronting to discover we would be snorkelling in open water.  I don't know why, but in my head I pictured we'd be delivered to a pontoon located at a secluded part of the reef. 

The boat crew were great, explaining how the snorkel would operate with them in the water with us (one on a paddleboard leading the pack, another at the back of the snorkel pack, and another in a dinghy).  They also encouraged us to use a pool noodle for support in the water.  Milly, Buster and myself went with this option.  

The kids were slightly nervous but we were really proud they jumped in and got to experience this beautiful seventh wonder of the world.  The water was a little choppy, you'd need to stop every 30 seconds or so and put your head up to make sure you hadn't drifted from the pack, the crew were also great at redirecting people and ensuring we stuck to the reef and it's edges.  

There were lots of colourful fish (didn't spot Nemo), but the reef was less colourful than it was last time I snorkelled it, which was 22 years ago.  It was still wonderful to see.  Most of the coral was white, blue, purple and yellow.  The water was clear to see through, except for where the reef dropped off and you realised you were looking down into the deep depths of the ocean.

Once back on board the boat it was time for lunch.  Milly and Buster had already decided they didn't want to do the second snorkel.  Henry was uncommitted but chose to stay on the boat as well.  I was also tossing up whether to do the second snorkel.  My energy levels were pretty low but reasoning I may never get the chance to experience the reef again, I knew I couldn't miss the opportunity.

On the second snorkel we were all taken out to the reef by dinghy, as it was further away from where our boat was anchored.  I was on the last dinghy ride out to the reef, I lowered myself into the water and realised I needed to paddle faster if I was to catch up to the pack.  I also realised my snorkel was too loose on my face (I must have picked up Henry's snorkel instead of my own) and I had to stop in the water to readjust.  This put me even further behind the pack and each time I tried to catch up I would lose my breath.  I put my fist in the air to signal I needed help.  A crew member on a paddleboard came to me and signalled for the dinghy to pick me up.  Once in the dinghy I was asked if I wanted to get back in the water or be returned to the boat.  I said (well it was a croaky whisper really, because I had no voice) I wanted to get back in the water but just needed to catch my breath.  No worries they replied and said they'd drop me back in the water at the head of the pack.  Michael was a little worried when he saw me in the dinghy but I gave him the thumbs up I was okay and we managed to catch up with each other and finish the snorkel together. 

Michael took his underwater camera on this snorkel and managed to capture some marine life and a variety of coral.

When it was time to swim back to the boat we had to do so in open water.  Once we left the reef the water below us was dark and deep, my adrenaline was firing and I paddled my flippers as fast as I could.  Back on the boat, I overhead someone say they saw two reef sharks.

The ride back to Hamilton Island felt long.  I was exhausted but very happy to have shared this experience with Michael and the kids.

With two nights left on Hamilton Island, there was still one place I hadn't experienced, and that was One Tree Hill.  One Tree Hill is a bar located on top of a hill with one of the best views of the sun setting.  While I wasn't feeling well enough for a drink, I desperately still wanted to watch a sunset from this beautiful island.

After Michael took the kids for another swim in the pool, he whisked me in the golf buggy to One Tree Hill, where we just missed watching the sun go down over the neighbouring islands.  One Tree Hill was teeming with people.  We still managed to get a few photos but they weren't ideal with all the crowds in the background.  So we went on a buggy ride to scout some other locations we could return to for our last night.

Hamilton Island - Day 5

I missed the sunrise this morning, instead having a sleep in.  My throat is less sore but I've lost my voice and I've developed a cough.  Henry has woken up feeling much better, but still a little snotty.  We both remain COVID negative.

We have nothing official planned for the day.  Milly and I take the golf buggy for a joy ride around the island, taking in some new views and checking out the beautiful houses.  We also managed to see a plane landing.

It is another very hot day.  It's only bearable if you stay indoors with air conditioning or cool off in the water.  We decided to spend some time at Catseye Beach.  Buster doesn't want to come with us, so it's just me, Michael, Henry and Milly.  The water is so refreshing.  I might not be feeling great, but I'm determined to not let it stop me from enjoying the holiday and all the things I wanted to do.  

There are lots of water activities available on the beach to hire - kayaks, paddleboards, mini catamarans, and snorkelling gear.  We grabbed some double kayaks and paddled around the beach.  Lots of fun before heading back to the apartment to escape the sun and hydrate with some cold drinks. 

The rest of the day I spent conserving energy and resting.  Michael took the kids joy riding in the buggy and to get gelatos.  They later spent more time in the pool.

We are booked into a South East Asian restaurant for dinner, just Michael, Henry and myself.  Although,  Henry changed his mind and didn't want to come.  Due to cancellation policies, we still needed to attend with three people.  Milly stuck up her hand and joined us.

Walking to the restaurant we stopped to enjoy the sunset and take in the full moon.  While at the restaurant we were seated on a balcony that overlooked Catseye Beach and allowed us to watch the moon as it reflected a twinkling glow across the seawater.  Pure magic.  As for the food, it was incredibly generous and delicious.    

Another beautiful day in paradise over.

Crispy silken tofu with sweet soy, ginger gel, cucumber & herbs

Yellow curry with roasted pumpkin,
baby onion, kale & cashew pepita dukkah

Crispy half duck with sour plum sauce, Sichuan pepper & lemon

Stir fried Asian greens with mushroom, chilli, garlic & oyster sauce

Hamilton Island - Day 4

 

The most stunning sunrise is my highlight from this day, because I woke up with a throat so sore I felt like I was swallowing razor blades.  Plus my brain was a bit foggy.  We had brought some Rapid Antigen Tests with us and I did one.  Thankfully I was COVID negative.  

Henry has also woken up not feeling the best.  He's very snotty and vomits.  He is also COVID negative.

Today is Michael's special day.  He had booked himself a round of golf on neighbouring Dent Island.  It boasts an 18-hole championship golf course, designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, and has amazing views of the surrounding islands.  We took our golf buggy and I drop him down at the marina so he can catch a ferry across to the golf club.

Michael says the enjoyed his round of golf, with the course being visually stunning and visually intimidating.

While Michael was at golf I treated the kids to a buffet breakfast by the beach.  Henry and I struggled with not feeling 100%.  After breakfast, he went back to our apartment where he rested and slept for most of the day.  I took Milly and Buster to the pool for a morning swim and then rested in the apartment until Michael was due to return.

When Michael contacted me from the ferry to let me know what time to collect him from the marina, I headed to where our buggy was parked outside our apartment, only to discover it missing.  I stood there, slightly confused.  There was a buggy parked where I had left our buggy on it's charger, but it was the wrong colour.  I called Michael to let him know our buggy was missing and then contacted the concierge of our apartment and informed them as well.  They said there are some keys that turned and worked in other buggies, and they'd send someone out to look for our buggy and call me back.  Five minutes later I started to question myself and wondered if it was possible I had taken the wrong buggy after dropping Michael off at the marina earlier that morning.  I called Michael again and explained myself and asked him to look for our buggy at the marina where I had parked earlier that morning (thank goodness all the buggies have different licence plates).  Sure enough, our buggy was still at the marina.  Oh my god, I've stolen someone else's buggy and I feel like I'm losing my mind.

I quickly drove the buggy back to the marina and parked it next to our buggy.  I was hoping whomever the buggy belonged to was also playing golf that day and were still on the golf course and hadn't noticed their buggy missing.  At this point, Michael was shaking his head and couldn't believe it.  The two buggies looked completely different.

Call it a senior moment, blame it on my not feeling well, whatever you want to call this brain explosion, I will never live it down.