Sometimes you get extras thrown in!

Question: why is Leata wearing a lifejacket???????

Well, the day started off wonderfully well, fine and sunny for a change, as it has been rainy, humid, overcast etc. So we set off for our day outing on the Reef jet, (pictured above). Great crew, about 66 happy passengers, we set off from Airlie out to Hill Inlet. Moored in Tongue Bay, we were taken across to Whitsunday Island in inflatables (you can see one in the photo above just to the right of the boat, gives you an idea of the size of Reef jet. ) This was a new thing for me, hadn't been in an inflatable before, but the first lot of people survived so I thought I'd be fine! Over to Hill Inlet to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the world (I mean that). This is where they filmed the kids singing in the Qantas ad - (I still call Australia Home). It is the beginning of Whitehaven Beach.

Where the yacht is is where they took us to swim and sunbake and stroll for an hour or so, took the boat right up to the water's edge, we jumped out into navel deep water, onto this stunning beach - the sand is so, so white - just perfect!

Yes, I AM excited!!!

That's Warren's wrist, and on his wrist is a wristband, numbered. We were checked on and checked off at each visit - no way were they going to lose any of us! And, as the day panned out, the importance of these wristbands increased. We were served lunch on the boat, and then set off for Border Island so we could snorkel or scuba dive. I had decided that I was definitely going to have a go at snorkelling, had myself all psyched up! (this is the old girl who only learnt how to swim last year remember!) So we're zooming along, the crew are washing the dishes, everyone's relaxed and happy, and BOOM! One of the engines caught fire .....there was smoke everywhere, the crew were in "oh shit" mode, and we were all blissfully unaware of the danger we were in. We were all herded on to the front of the boat (outside), and given lifejackets to put on, while they attempted (successfully fortunately) to put out the fire. They allowed the jet to drift closer to one of the islands, and took her as close in as they could. The skipper had her sitting on top of the coral (see the photo below). He wasn't happy doing this of course, but said our lives were more important than the coral, which will regenerate.

Meantime they had contacted the Water Police and put out a distress call. Three other boats close by came in and we were transferred to them in inflatables. Photo below is the skipper getting ready to take the next lot off the boat.

And there's the Reef jet below, now resting right on top of the coral, the tide was going out really quickly. A very sad sight for everyone involved. They said that she would be floated off at the next high tide, then towed back to Airlie for repairs. I would hate to think of the cost involved.

So by now we are on board the Camira, a sailing catamaran, (see photo below) with their full contingent of fee-paying passengers. to say we were slightly overloaded would be putting it lightly! They were still feeding and watering their passengers, so we all had to sit and watch - a bit difficult, Warren would have killed for a beer by this stage! But they very kindly dropped us off at Daydream Island, we all walked to the southern end of the Island and were transported back to Airlie. Because we were much later than was expected, the opportunity for sunset photos presented itself (one has to look at the positives!!)

Apparently it was on the news last night that the boat had caught fire and sunk! Another example of the news getting it totally wrong (which I am very happy about!)

And yes, they refunded our money. So I will have to wait til we get to Cairns to try snorkelling. Oh well, if that's the worst thing that happens to us ......................

FROM COAL TO CANE TO CORAL

The last two weeks have seen us move from Mackay up to Airlie Beach. Mackay's two main sources of income are coal and sugar. The diagram above shows the many coal mines located near Mackay, employment numbers are huge as you can imagine, there are jobs galore up here for tradesmen. Last week we went out to Hay Point near Mackay. It is the collection point for all the coal mined in the region, ready for shipping off overseas. The public viewing lookout was unfortunately closed, so the photo below showing the shipping yards was as close as we could get. There are trains loaded with coal coming in constantly, unloading, then setting off back to the mines ready to load the next lot. The machinery they use must be enormous. On our way up to Mackay, we had to move off the road for an over-width truck that was coming through. On the back of this truck was a scoop for one of the excavators they use - I swear this scoop was nearly as wide as the road, our caravan would have fitted inside it with room to spare! And that's only the scoop, so imagine the size of the grader.

And then the sugar - from just before Mackay right through to Airlie, there are fields and fields of sugar cane, they just go on for miles. It is cane crushing time at the moment, there are tractors and cane trains everywhere, and the sugar mills are in full production. We were out for a drive on Wednesday and were lucky enough to come across a cane cutter working right beside the road, so I took these photos just for those of you who may never have seen this before! First photo gives you an idea of the sheer size of the fields of cane - they have cut the front section already, the field goes right back to the hills. If you look closely you can see the cutter right at the end of the row. A little truck with cages behind it keeps up with the cutter , collecting the cut cane. As each cage is filled, it is then taken to the rail head ready to be taken to the sugar mill. (Are you enjoying your geography lesson so far????) ha ha

I would not like to be standing in the way of those jaws! They literally rip the cane off at ground level, the cane itself is the stuff you can see going into the cage. Everything else, leaves, dry husk etc comes out that top chute, and is left to dry, then collected to make the bales of sugarcane mulch which we buy at the local nurseries

And so to Airlie Beach (the "coral" part of my title, this is of course the Coral Sea). What a lovely area, gateway to the Whitsundays. There are backpackers everywhere, we have met german, french, english and welsh young people - they are all just fabulous and so friendly, age is certainly no barrier. We started playing Texas Hold'em Poker at the local venues in Mackay and have continued doing so here in Airlie, with quite a bit of success - it is very social, and the crowd in Mackay made us so welcome, by the time we left there were kisses and cuddles goodbye! Warren and I actually ended up head to head at the final table one night, he won, of course! Life is great, we are having such a wonderful time, the car continues to go well, the caravan is wonderful, the weather is warm (most days!), and we are brown and healthy.

Next week we plan to go out to the Reef, visiting Whitehaven Beach and I just might have a go at snorkelling, we'll see! Should get some really nice photos out there. Airlie Beach has a boardwalk 3 kms long, which we walked yesterday, and we took these photos. Out for tea last night, we took the two evening shots below. Our little camera doesn't do the area justice, it is just glorious. See you next time!