Day 4:
July 20, 2010
Today, we reached our final destination – Sandy Bay on South Molle Island. Joe’s Beach was kind of boring, so we packed up and hit the water early. And thank heavens we did! Once again, the journey proved to be more challenging and time-consuming than imagined. Crossing the Whitsunday Passage was tough. The choppy water and big swells made every stroke a battle. I lost count of the number of times I was slapped in the face by a massive wave. I felt like a salty, drowned rat by the time we reached the shores of Sandy Bay.
It was worth the effort, though. This portion of the island is surrounded by coral reef, so (of course) we took advantage. We braved the cold waters and spent the afternoon snorkeling. I wish I could accurately describe the unique beauty of the reef, but words fail me. For a short time, it was like being transported to another world. It was simply captivating.
Eventually, the water temperature got to us, forcing us back to dry land. Now we’re chilling on the beach, watching the sunset as the tide comes in. Tomorrow, we paddle back to Shute Harbor before catching the short flight to Brisbane. It’s been a good trip. And, although I’m long overdue for a hot shower, I’m sad to be leaving the islands. I will definitely be back.
Day 5:July 21, 2010
Holy windy! The wind picked up when we turned in last night, and has been howling since. It’s our last day on the islands and we’ve spent the majority of our morning trying to keep all of our belongings from blowing away. It’s crazy out here! Unfortunately, it’s even crazier out on the water. I can see the whitecaps from the shore and am nervous about the paddle back to Shute Harbor. It’s going to be one rough ride. What a way to end our journey!
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