Brampton Island
Well, today we arrived on Brampton Island and I got to experience my first helicopter flight which was rather neat. We had beautiful weather and I was seated at the front so it was great to do a few aerial shots of us getting to the island. It didn't have the amazing reef formation that Heron Island had but it had some great colours and endless beaches so it was still quite striking.
We were blessed with glorious sunshine (at last!!!) and felt this was starting to feel more like a holiday - I am still not very tanned since I have been wearing between 2-5 layers most days ! Rather mad since Europe is almost warmer right now...
Anyway, even though we have got a package where our meals & room is included everything else is 'extra' and costs an arm and a leg. I won't be using the internet again for the next 3 days basically because I just cannot afford it, it's insanely expensive. As is a 90mns guided walk ($30), a boat trip to go on a snorkelling safari ($40) etc. etc. I wouldn't mind trying to go on a water bike, as I often see them ride the waves on that and it looks great fun, but I hadn't dared ask for the price yet. Still, it'd be a new adventure as I've never had the chance to try this YET, so I am well tempted.
At low tide the beach looks even more striking as you start to see all the beautiful white strips (sand strips really) that contrasts with the turquoise blue... I'd seen many aerial views of the Whitsundays and it really is beautiful. But I worry I might get a bit bored on this island as post cards are too expensive (and I didn't stock up, not due to lack of forward planning but due to my being SO picky with post cards that I couldn't find any I liked enough to send) and internet is outrageous... so it leaves with eating (lots of buffets and yummy food), swimming (2 pools and as many beaches as you've got fingers) and sleeping. I guess it's what I shall have to call 'being forced to chill out'... and indeed, there are far worse places where one can get stuck ! I will NOT complain... I just wish the Reef was nearer. We went for a quick swim today (and you are only allowed to snorkel 2 hours a day no more due to strong currents, so they have to tell you when it's the safest time) and there wasn't much reef there to look at - a few interesting fish and a few soft corals but no coral formations yet (I guess I'll have to get on the boat for that). BUT I did swim with a turtle. I really wanted Janet to see it too (she was so keen) but every time I managed to find her I'd turn round and Janet was too far for me to call out to her. So I'd try to follow the turtle but she soon out-swam me... though she didn't mind me too much for a good 5 minutes. They are so lovely, it's always quite special to swim with them - as with seals, dolphins and anything that we wouldn't find in English waters basically.
The world is truly full of wonders. I can only hope that some of you will get the chance to come over here too. We were told that Lizzard Island was probably 2nd best for snorkelling (after Heron Island) so I think we might do that next time... probably in 2009 or so...
Life's a beach... (at least right now). I cannot tell you how much I dread going back. We are now officially over half way through our holiday and it's like... can't face it.
Well, today we arrived on Brampton Island and I got to experience my first helicopter flight which was rather neat. We had beautiful weather and I was seated at the front so it was great to do a few aerial shots of us getting to the island. It didn't have the amazing reef formation that Heron Island had but it had some great colours and endless beaches so it was still quite striking.
We were blessed with glorious sunshine (at last!!!) and felt this was starting to feel more like a holiday - I am still not very tanned since I have been wearing between 2-5 layers most days ! Rather mad since Europe is almost warmer right now...
Anyway, even though we have got a package where our meals & room is included everything else is 'extra' and costs an arm and a leg. I won't be using the internet again for the next 3 days basically because I just cannot afford it, it's insanely expensive. As is a 90mns guided walk ($30), a boat trip to go on a snorkelling safari ($40) etc. etc. I wouldn't mind trying to go on a water bike, as I often see them ride the waves on that and it looks great fun, but I hadn't dared ask for the price yet. Still, it'd be a new adventure as I've never had the chance to try this YET, so I am well tempted.
At low tide the beach looks even more striking as you start to see all the beautiful white strips (sand strips really) that contrasts with the turquoise blue... I'd seen many aerial views of the Whitsundays and it really is beautiful. But I worry I might get a bit bored on this island as post cards are too expensive (and I didn't stock up, not due to lack of forward planning but due to my being SO picky with post cards that I couldn't find any I liked enough to send) and internet is outrageous... so it leaves with eating (lots of buffets and yummy food), swimming (2 pools and as many beaches as you've got fingers) and sleeping. I guess it's what I shall have to call 'being forced to chill out'... and indeed, there are far worse places where one can get stuck ! I will NOT complain... I just wish the Reef was nearer. We went for a quick swim today (and you are only allowed to snorkel 2 hours a day no more due to strong currents, so they have to tell you when it's the safest time) and there wasn't much reef there to look at - a few interesting fish and a few soft corals but no coral formations yet (I guess I'll have to get on the boat for that). BUT I did swim with a turtle. I really wanted Janet to see it too (she was so keen) but every time I managed to find her I'd turn round and Janet was too far for me to call out to her. So I'd try to follow the turtle but she soon out-swam me... though she didn't mind me too much for a good 5 minutes. They are so lovely, it's always quite special to swim with them - as with seals, dolphins and anything that we wouldn't find in English waters basically.
The world is truly full of wonders. I can only hope that some of you will get the chance to come over here too. We were told that Lizzard Island was probably 2nd best for snorkelling (after Heron Island) so I think we might do that next time... probably in 2009 or so...
Life's a beach... (at least right now). I cannot tell you how much I dread going back. We are now officially over half way through our holiday and it's like... can't face it.
posted by Sylvie at 11:57 AM
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