After what seems like months we had two days off together and were actually able to make something of it. On our first day we booked on to the Cruise Whitsunday tour to the Outer Reef, something we had been meaning to do since we arrived. The boat picked us up in the morning for the two hour trip to Knuckle Reef. At Knuckle Reef there is a pontoon that has a sun deck, a massage 'castle' with a therapist, sun loungers and tables and chairs, semi-submersible boat, a water slide and diving and snorkelling facilties, we were determined to make use of as much of it as we could.
About 20 minutes into the trip the first sighting of whales was announced, swimming just off the side of the boat we watched the whales breach and dive (we saw one tail flick!) for about 10 minutes before we moved on. Naturally of course, after the first 3 photos the camera battery died - so much for charging it Andrew! Thankfully the boat sold underwater reusable cameras..not perfect but certainly adequate, and let's face it, our only option. We saw several water spouts on the horizon as we motored and hoped to see more closer to the boat further on.
We signed up for a scuba dive, Andy's first ever, we had a briefing on the way out and were to be one of the first groups in the water once we got to the pontoon. The weather was sensational, it was still, the waters calm and perfect for someone who thinks they're going to be sea sick at the drop of a hat!
The diving was excellent, we were suited up and walked down to a platform that is about waist deep in the water, the new divers are introduced to breathing with a regulator slowly before getting into the water.
As we enter the water, the first thing we see is a giant Maori Wrasse who comes straight up to us to say hi, Andy was so focused on getting used to the fact he was breathing underwater that he wasn't quite as taken with the fish as I was. The instructor was excellent as he took them (Andy and another first timer) along the edge of the reef, I was fortunate enough to be able to freely swim along around them as long as the instructor could see me. This also meant I could take several photos of Andy as he experienced his first scuba dive! I got up close and personal with a lot of the corals and various fish types, the colours were stunning in the sunshine and the visibility was much better than it was around Hayman.
After the dive we took our turn on the water slide being spat out into the lagoon, because the tour was not full by any means, we had maybe 50 people on our boat with a capacity of 350, we were able to do whatever we wanted when we wanted.
Once out of the water it was quite cold in the breeze so we dressed and headed for lunch. A big buffet lunch was laid out in the boat, beautiful seafoods, salads and cold meats - this naturally lead to a desire to nap!
We went to the upper deck and were idly watching the horizon as a huge whale jumped clear of the water and smashed back down with a gracefulness unexpected from a creature of the that size. From the first jump it continued for nearly an hour and half with up to as many as twenty whales visible at the same time. Unfortunately with only a disposable camera at my side they were just a little too far away to actually snap any decent photos.
I went on a semi-submersible ride and saw a turtle right outside the window I was sitting at as the marine biologist gave a commentary of the reef we were seeing. This was the last activity for the day as we all boarded the boat and left the platform behind to head for home. What a fantastic day we had, I can now only hope that the little disposable camera has actually produced some reasonable pictures.
Once back on Hayman we continued our fantastic day by checking into the resort for the night as a part of an offer I had taken up earlier in the year, I took three days leave and received several vouchers in return, one being my ticket on Cruise Whitsunday and one for a nights stay in the resort. The first exciting part of staying in the resort (after popping a bottle of bubbles and toasting the fact we were on the other side of the road for the day) was a bubble bath! It was heaven.
We went for dinner at La Trattoria, sat next to a Duke and Duchess and enjoyed an evening in a restaurant I am so used to serving in. A friend was leaving the next day so after a few drinks with him we went back to our little slice of luxury for the night.
The next morning as the sun filtered through the shutters I dashed down to the Hayman Pool for a swim. Swimming in the big Hayman Pool is usually something that is forbidden for staff so I had to make sure I crossed it off my list while I could.
We went for breakfast at Azure, enjoyed a leisurely morning with coffee and everything we could possible want at our fingertips. Sitting at the breakfast table watching the stunning view over the Hayman Beach it's easy to see why the guests love it here so much.
After a casual morning, strolls down to the marina, shopping at the retail stores and sitting in the sunshine we went to Beach Pavillion for a late lunch before I had to head to work.
A fantastic couple of days that actually felt like a holiday, if only we could do that more and work less!
