Day - 33. Hamilton Island (3)

Morning on the beach for Paddle Boarding and coffee then home for a quick lunch before heading down to the marina to board our boat to Whitehaven Beach.

Went around the top end of Whitsunday and down to Whitehaven Beach, rough water but worth the view.  Then arrived at beach and were greeted with several hundred tourists who all had the same idea.  They came by boat, canoe, helicopter, sea plane and many yachts.  It certainly was worth the trip, a beautiful beach in a pristine unspoiled area.

Had a rough trip back home but the pre dinner drinks saved the day !

Hobie Cats at Catseye beach.

On the way to Whitehaven.

The boat that made the trip.

Jo and Melissa enjoying the surroundings.

The white sand was worthy of a photo.

Rough trip home

Wild Oats at the marina.

Tourists at Whitehaven.

From Hamilton Island we went north up the west side of Whitsunday then south to Whitehaven.

The fine white sand with footsteps from some Mexicans

Day - 32. Hamilton Island (2)

The girls were up and away on the buggy this morning after a cooked breakfast in the apartment.  They have explored the whole Island and decided that the pool was the best spot to relax.  There are no hard decisions here, it is a great place to unwind before checking out all the surrounding Islands.

Whales are also on the move around here, yesterday we saw several just off the shore.

First thing in the morning, the day is going to be fantastic and the girls are soon in the buggy and off to the view the sights and then the beach.

Yachting and stand up paddle boards are today's preference, hope the sun doesn't get too hot.

The units at Hamilton Island

Boating at Catseye Beach.

Pina Coladas around the pool, fairly relaxing here with the warm breeze.

Day - 31. Hamilton Island (1)

Up early this morning to catch the 8.00 am flight to Hamilton Island, great view down the coast and just got there before Melissa and Jo arrived from Melbourne for a few days.  

Then down to the fishi shop to get the prawns and coral trout which we had on the BBQ tonight.

What a great night to see the two girls enjoy themselves so much.

We have the buggy which has done the rounds of Hamilton Island already and we have only been here a couple of hours.

The next few days are going to be full on, hope we can keep up with the girls !!

Birds from the window in Cairns.

A view in every direction at Hamilton Island.

Yachts returning from Whitehaven Beach.

Cocktails again as a welcome for our girls, we are missing Sandra so will have to repeat this again one day.

A lazy scene at the main beach on Hamilton Island.

The pool in the main complex

Day - 30. Cairns

Today we began our journey to the next port of call on our trip, departing our wonderful 5 star apartment to drive to Cairns.  There was no hurry, so we drove into Kewarra Beach and also Trinity Beach where we had lunch at an Italian restaurant across the road from the beach.

At Cairns we checked in to the Rydges Hotel and Brian returned the hire car to East Coast Rentals.  The hotel leaves much to be desired, but is only for one night and a very early start in the morning.

Kewarra Beach is great for families but the crocodile signs are everywhere !!

The children enjoy the swings.

Trinity Beach is certainly worth a visit.  There are palms along the beach to provide protection from the fierce, bright sunshine.

Italian restaurant at Trinity Beach where we had lunch was authentic in every way!  The waitress even wrote our order on her hand.

This hotel looks OK on the outside but is well worn on the inside.

The pool looks good from a distance.

Day - 29. Palm Cove (6)

Lovely sunny morning today.  Some packing ready for tomorrow's departure, and then we drove to Cairns for lunch with Peter and Anita van der Linden and nice friends of theirs who had just arrived from Melbourne

This evening we went to a restaurant in Palm Cove for dinner, because the fridge is almost bare.  We will be sorry to leave this beautiful apartment in the morning.

Back to the Marina at Cairns today.

Irons

Tried to get Judy on a Jet Ski Croc spotting tour - failed again !!!!

Not sure how this rather small craft would perform in the waves off Cairns.  Note the spelling error on the sign!!

"Harbour Lights" units seem to be popular but there are fewer people in general around the Marina precinct.

Lunch at the Shangri La Hotel with Peter (left) and Anita van der Linden (next to Judy) and two lovely friends of theirs, Paul and Anne.

A walk along Clifton Beach.

Clifton Beach looking towards the south.

Day - 28. Palm Cove (5)

The Olympics seem to be keeping most tourists intrigued, since there are few people in the water or on the beach.  Early morning light shower, but a sunny afternoon.   

Took a walk inland today, on the long pier and then along an elevated walkway.  This was near the Captain Cook Highway (at the rear of Palm Cove).  Good exercise and great scenery

Palm Cove village viewed from the end of the very long pier.  

Windswept at the end of the pier

Beginning of the lush rainforest elevated walkway.

View of the end of our walk which finished at the Main Street Esplanade.

Day - 27. Palm Cove (4)

Today we had a challenge - find a doctor to attend to Judy's infected ear.  Troublesome, because we were concerned that she may not have been able to fly on Friday.  Took a fairly long walk to the medical centre where a sympathetic and competent doctor took charge.  Antibiotic capsules plus two ointments should fix the problem over 5 days.  One ointment required a five minute drive into the next town of Clifton Beach to another pharmacy.  Good news - flying is not a problem!

Last night we took our culinary experiences a bit further, cooking crocodile sausages for dinner.  They were ho-hum.  The big plus is that there is now presumably one less crocodile left in the world as a risk to humans!

Today is overcast with a very strong wind, even though it is still warm.  Not pleasant for a walk along the beach, so we completed the Census forms which were brought to our apartment this morning. 

The medical and pharmacy centre where Judy was rescued from a nasty ear lobe infection.

When the surf club "boys" saw Judy walk down to the beach in the gale force winds, they brought out the rescue boat from the surf club!

The flag and the sea show the strength of the wind this afternoon.