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 ......................