Scuba and Sky Diving

Must admit that this is one of the best holidays I've ever taken. Winter in Queensland and it's been around 22 degrees all week with some rain one night but otherwise bright and sunny.

As I mentioned we went diving at the shipwreck of the SS Yongala. I thought it was close to Airlie Beach but like everything in Queensland it's miles away. The dive started at 7:30am which meant leaving Airlie at 4:30am. It was worth it as it was my favourite dive yet. Also the first time I've felt sea sick since that cross channel ferry to France with Mossley Primary School. We sat on the boat between dives for an hour while it rocked and rocked and rocked about in the 2 metre swells. Very close to spewing but once back in the water it was all good again.

As one taxi driver told me, "Airlie Beach is a drinking town with a sailing problem." So, the next day we set off for a trip around the Whitsunday Islands on one of the boats on which Caroline works. Smallish group of around 15 people plus 4 crew. A lot of people were ill as it was quite rough going in some parts but thankfully I was alright this time.

Did 4 dives that were a little disappointing due to low visibility apart from one where we were swimming with a massive manta ray. I finished my complement of take aboard VB pretty early on the second night but there was plenty of spare goon going round. Most went to bed pretty early but I stayed up with a couple called Eddy and Mary who were great craic. Another chap called Johan, a Swedish architect living in Papua New Guinea, had some brilliant stories from 20+ years travelling. Everyone enjoyed my snoring obviously.

Got back on Thursday and spent the day bumming around town as Caroline finished getting the boat ready for the next trip. Went out that night, starting with Espresso Martinis, but it wasn't a late one as tiredness kicked in pretty early.

Caroline was unexpectedly drafted onto the boat again on Friday so that left me at a lose end. I filled in the time with a 10,000 foot sky dive over the islands. Absolutely amazing it was.

So, here I am on Saturday morning finishing up in preparation for the flight back to Sydney tonight. I've a fair few pictures and video of the sky dive that I'll put up when I get back home - that should be more interesting for ye.