The Whitsundays

This place looks as though it has been transported right from the back of a postcard. It is unbelievable. Crystal clear blue waters and perfectly white sand. I felt like I was in paradise. If you are planning on travelling the East Coast of Australia this has to be on your list of places to visit because it compares to nowhere else in the world. The photographs of the islands are beautiful but still do not do justice to the beauty of the place. It took my breath away.

After spending the night in Airlie Beach, also known as ‘the heart of the reef’ we set sail towards Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island. As the name suggests, the sand is… white. You can probably tell that I am finding it hard to fully describe the beauty of the place because I feel like to completely appreciate it then you need to see it yourself. Add it to your bucket list, I promise that you will not be disappointed.

After an afternoon of exploring, tired and a little sunburnt, we jumped back onto the boat. Once aboard the boat the sun was setting, and with 360 degree views, we had the best seats in the house. I could lie and say that I then went onto get the best nights sleep of my life but this blog is all about honesty. If you have not slept on a boat before, the rockiness of the waves is one thing. Throw into the mix the lack of air conditioning and the fact that you are sleeping below deck in the middle of summer in the Australian tropics and it’s a whole new ball game. I think I got a combined total of one hour sleep, broken by nearly getting thrown out of bed by the waves and the fact I felt like the heat was going to kill me.

5am could not come soon enough (I never thought I’d say that) and I could hear the engine start back up. Onto day two… snorkelling! The Whitsundays is part of the Great Barrier Reef and wow, it did not disappoint. All the things you expect from the reef: colourful corals, fish, turtles were there waiting to be discovered. Armed with my stinger suit, snorkel and woggle (the latest in island fashion) I floated my way around. After snorkelling in three locations and becoming very shrivelled in the water, the boat then headed back home towards Airlie Beach.

Once on dry land again we spent the night partying, drinking and dancing. Who am I kidding, after a sleepless night and two action packed days we headed for bed at 7pm with some ice cold water and Woolworths cookies. Somehow in my drained and disillusion state I was also tricked into booking a skydive. That’s right. I actually paid money to jump out of a plane.

6am Saturday morning and I’m sat strapped to the front of some guy (who was actually from Norwich can you believe it?!) ready to risk my life. I booked the smaller jump at 8,500 ft because I don’t believe in such a thing as a ‘small skydive’. But, once in the air I was told that ‘the Boss’ had given me a free upgrade to the 15,000ft jump as I was the only one booked onto the smaller one. Brilliant. I want words with ‘the Boss’. All this said… it was the best thing I’ve ever done. Honestly. I’m not just saying that to look tough. Although the videos may show me looking terrified, by the time I was falling and could appreciate the views below me I was loving it. And I can honestly say I would do it again and again and again. If you’re debating it but too scared, just take the leap and do it. You will not regret it.

If anything, Australia has made me fearless. I have jumped out of a plane, swam in shark infested waters and climbed mountains. The one thing that still scares me, however, is hostel kitchens. Those places will never be fun.

Annabel x