Hamilton Island: Great Barrier Reef

I, sadly, just dropped off my in laws and husband at the airport....  Now Im all alone!  I guess that leaves me plenty of time to write all about our WONDERFUL trip to Hamilton Island.

Last week we flew to an island at the Great Barrier Reef.  We got there early Thursday and hopped in our "buggy" (golf cart).  This was the main source of transportation around the island... a few people used cars but for the most part it was ALL buggies!  The island was amazing, the water was beautiful and our view was the best!!

I could have just sat outside on our balcony for hours.... and we did!

Isnt it amazing!?

Very soon after sitting out there we realized we were not the only ones who enjoyed our view....  There were constantly birds all over our patio!  They definitely loved Tom the most (possibly because he shared his chips with them!) We went down to the windy beach, took some walks, saw a lovely sunset at One Tree Hill (the sunset lookout spot) and ate a home cooked dinner out on the patio!  It was a great first day at Hamilton Island.

pretty water (from the boat)

We had signed up for a trip to see Whitehaven beach.... one of the Top Ten best beaches in the world!  The boat ride over was pretty unpleasant... for reasons none of us know, we did not take our sea sickness pills before that cruise.... and that was a mistake!!  The swells were about 2 meters high (thats 6 feet high, folks) and that is enough to make anyone's stomach turn!   We were all pretty relieved to get on solid ground.  It was a tad overcast that day but all in all it was a wonderful beach!  The sand is 98% silica and is great for exfoliating... so we spent plenty of time rubbing it over our hands and feet.  So now Brian and Tom have baby soft skin! :) haha well... maybe not.

Brian: Sea sick or Hungover?!  We may never know.....

That evening (after we survived the wavey ride back to the island)  we had another nice relaxing evening where we ate out on our back patio and watched the sunset from One Tree Hill.  We were all a little nervous about the 2 hour boat ride we had planned the next morning but after lots of talks we all decided to tough it out and go see the GREAT BARRIER REEF!!  After all, we were so close it would have been a shame not to see this great natural wonder of the world!

We came prepared with our sea sickness medicine (and turns out, it HELPS!)  I some how came to the conclusion that on this trip I was going to go scuba diving with Brian.  I have no idea why, since the ocean terrifies me, but I did!  As soon as we got to the floating platform out on the reef (for anyone familiar, we were on Hardy Reef) Brian and I started our introductory diving class.  We, first, had to get decked out in our super cool and, obviously, flattering, stinger suits!  They have some seriously deadly jelly fish out in these parts so in order to better protect ourselves from these tiny, mostly invisible creatures we wear what is known as stinger suits.  Regarding the Box Jellyfish, I read this little lovely tidbit before leaving... "You have virtually no chance of surviving the venomous sting. The pain is so excruciating and overwhelming that you would most likely go into shock and drown before reaching the shore. So don't go swimming alone!"  Thanks for that encouraging note barrierreefaustralia.com  Sheesh... 

There were originally 4 of us in our class but by the end of our training it was just Brian and I.  I was feeling very pleased with myself that I wasn't one of the ones who chickened out! (Although, I was having some trouble with my ears, feeling like my head was going to explode-- luckily it didnt!)  It was very cool and I have to say if I was ever going to scuba dive, the great barrier reef was the place to do it!  I am glad I decided to scuba dive and wish I had some more pictures... we did get these from an underwater photographer!!  Proof that this actually occurred in my life :)  Brian is much more relaxed... can you see little Nemo we were posing with!?

They had tons of stuff to do on this platform... a semi sub, snorkeling, food, an underwater observatory!  We did a little of everything!  

Semi submersible...

Snorkeling....

This picture looks a little creepy to me... with that big, blue, scary ocean!!

The only thing we did not do that was offered was to take the helicopter out... I would have loved to but the weather was still not too great.  If we would have... I could have shown you a picture like this...

Seriously... there is a reef right next to the Hardy reef (the one on the right in the picture) which is in the shape of a HEART.  Ok, its official, Brian and I are making a trip back!!!!

I think we were all pretty pleased that we decided to make it out to the reef!  It was an amazing day and a trip of a lifetime!!  That evening we had a delicious dinner after watching a beautiful sunset!  The next morning, we left for Melbourne.  It was such a great time!!!

We did hear a bit of bad news while on the trip... so if you can make room for a few extra prayers:: for Brian's Aunt Julie who is having complications and not feeling well after starting chemo, also my grandmother had a stroke and is still in ICU.  Both seem to be doing better.  We also found out that Brian and my house in Houston got broken into. Luckily we got a tenant who is one tough cookie... I don't think we should be having trouble with robbers in the future after she got through with them... look at this video...

We had such a great time with Tom and Deanna!!!  You guys are welcome to come anytime!  We love you and couldn't have had 2 better people with us on our adventures this month!  I hope you enjoyed Melbourne and Australia!