Sunday 25 March 2012 - Hamilton - Whitsunday, Australia

Sunday 25 March 2012 – Hamilton – Whitsunday, Australia

Walked at 6:30am just as the sun is rising into the clouds and Regatta approaches the Whitsunday Islands – a group of islands near the Great Barrier Reef.   Patte, Beth and Lynn are booked on a halfday tour to snorkel in reefs just shy of the Great Barrier Reef.    Phil, Dave and I plan to walk around Hamilton hoping to find an  internet café.

We anchor outside Hamilton and are told  the tender trip will take  30 minutes and that the seas are rough. We notice the three tenders next to the ship with no passengers bobbing in the water.   Then an  announcement is made that the Captain does not think it safe to run the tender service from our current location.  He is  going to move the ship to look for a more sheltered area with calmer seas.   He is successful.

The tender ride is about 20 minutes and not bad at all.  Hamilton is a lovely place a true resort town – golf carts are the vehicle of choice  with rentals available for  tourists.    Several free shuttle buses also service the island.

Beth, Patte and Lynn are not going snorkeling since the tour company could not promise they would be back in time for the last tender at 4:30pm.  Once on the island we go in different directions.  Dave, Beth and I to an internet café – free in the Reef Hotel lobby – Phil walks around  – Beth checks her email than goes for a manicure --  Patte and Lynn go to the beach.

When Dave and I finish at the hotel --- we are walking to the village when who is coming the other way but Phil.   The three of us have a browse through  the village  stopping for lunch at the Marina Café – it is good – not cheap—but good.  There is a Casino upstairs – now I know why Phil suggested this place.

While eating lunch – it starts pouring rain --- by the time we leave it is a drizzle.   As we arrive near the tender dock – Patte and Lynn appear – a few minutes later Beth appears – apparently we are all on the same wave length – no cell phones needed.

Back on the ship --- we relax until time for High Tea at 4:00pm. – it is so lovely and civilized. – before going to the competitive atmosphere of Trivia,    Today we come in third. 

Dinner in the Grand Dining Room – slow service  tonight.  Beth, Patte, Lynn and I are off to see the comedian ---  we don’t last long  since we keep falling asleep.

To bed by 10:15pm ---

Thanks for Reading!

Pat