Whitsunday Sail

Airlie Beach, Queensland - Just back from two days sailing around the Whitsunday Islands. This place is really spectacular - turquoise blue waters sprinkled with green forested hillocks. Apparently there is an ancient Aboriginal legend about how these islands were formed...
We sailed in a small racing boat called Iceberg, with Luke as our skipper and Cam as deckhand. Iceberg is different from most of the other boats because it only takes 12 passengers, and it guarantees more time under power of the wind. Indeed, the wind was blowing at about 25 knots, which meant that we were chugging right along, often at a 45-degree angle, with water rushing up over the sides of the boat. It often felt like the boat was on the verge of tipping - or at least that you might tumble overboard if you didn't hang on tight.
In the morning of the first day we sailed to the aptly named Blue Pearl Bay, a beautiful crystalline bay surrounded by rocky cliffs. This was the first of two snorkeling spots for the day. We were all advised to wear stinger suits as protection from the jelly fish. (I think it makes me look like a professional snorkeler.)
The water was a bit cloudy, but the array of colorful coral and flashy fish was amazing: giant irridescent clams, parrotfish in a million different hues, a huge napoleon fish and countless little colorful creatures that I will never remember, much to Jerry's chagrin. And yes, the ostentatious orange clown fish. After lunch we sailed to Langford Spit for a rest on the beach and another communion with the fish.
That night we anchored in Cid Harbor, which was so peaceful compared to the winds we had experienced all day. I was a little worried about getting seasick sleeping on the boat... but in fact it was just like sleeping in a cradle, with the gentle waves rocking me to sleep.
In the morning of Day 2 we sailed to Tongue Bay (where we saw sea turtles!), which is on the backside of Whitsunday Island. From here was could go ashore and hike across the island to the stunning Whitehaven Beach. I had heard so much about this beach I was skeptical it would live up to the hype. But it was indeed one of the most spectacular beaches I have ever seen, just as Luke promised. It is a seven-mile strip of the finest white sand, backed by green forested hills and fronted by turquoise blue waters.

Locals are justifiably proud of this pristine paradise. In fact, Luke explained that we had to anchor on the backside of the island because boats are forbidden from anchoring off the beach and spoiling the picture-perfect view.
Not only is the place jaw-dropping gorgeous, it also offered the ultimate beach climate: hot sun, cool breeze and warm waters. I could have stayed in the water all day, riding the surf.
But we had a  schedule to keep. Onward to Dumbell Island and then homeward. The sail home was pretty exciting, as we sailed into a storm (just to make the experience really authentic - no whitewashed tourist experience for us!). So we donned our yellow slickers and toughed it out in the rain. I thought it was sort of fun but everybody was cold and wet (that was nothing compared to my last day of cycling in the rain and hail). Here I am doing an imitation of the Gloucester fisherman.