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Island Fever Part 3 - The Cliff Face

April 17th 2009 06:16

Island Fever The Cliff Face Around the corner the rocks had changed in structure, now it was a steep, flat, slate-like rock face ahead. I was trekking on an angle, my feet in grooves and both hands outstretched for balance, waves crashing below. It got steeper until I could no longer walk facing forwards, I was now facing the rock, my butt up in the air, hands on the rock face and I shuffled along sideways.

This went on for a long time. I started to worry, I thought to myself what the hell had I gotten myself in for?

The rock face became higher and higher and I was now probably seven or eight metres from the water below. I could see the waves crashing against the rocks. It was still steep. The grip of my shoes was good so I felt sure I wouldn’t slip, my only worry was how long this rock went and what happens if I get stuck and I had to turn back. I didn’t want to go back and do all that again. I pushed on.

Looking up, the hill above the rock was steep also. There was no where to go.

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Posted By: Lill - Category: No Category

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Island Fever Part 2 - What's around the bend...

April 1st 2009 06:12

Island Fever What's around the bend...Well, I’d scaled the big rock only to find that it wasn’t a single boulder at all, it was actually the beginning of a long coast of rock that went straight down deep into the water. It was great. I manoeuvred over the rocks fairly easily. I was just kind of happy climbing the rocks and not really thinking about how far I was going. I just enjoyed the adventure of it I guess. It reminded me of the fun I had as a kid climbing over rocks at the beach, when we would search in rock pools for little fish and crabs, watching water shoot out of little blow holes as the waves crashed in. The challenge of judging the distance between rocks to jump to the next one ahead, getting your footing right so you don’t slip. Those were good times, I have always loved to explore.

After going along for about 15 minutes I stopped and sat on a flat ledge and just enjoyed the view and the calm of the place. Deep blue ocean as far as I could see, birds playing over the water swooping and diving to get little fish, the sound of the water lapping against the rocks below. It was nice. I turned to my left and looked back where I had come from and then to my right where I couldn’t see around the bend ahead and I was curious as to what lay beyond.

I kept going. In those moments while I ventured across the top of the rocks to see around the bend is when I made the fateful decision to go all the way around South Molle Island the unconventional way… around the perimeter on foot. I had no idea how long it would take or what I would find….

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Island Fever Part 1 - Adventure Beckons

February 25th 2009 03:39

Island Fever Adventure Beckons I was bored on South Molle Island, Australia. I’d done all the outdoor activites, the wind surfing, kayaking, snorkling, (and drinking). My days off from my house keeping work were full and busy. As great as these activities were I still needed something else. I am always needing something else. I was bored with island life. I was getting island fever.

Early one morning on a day off I set out for a bushwalk. I followed the path to the far side of the island and sat on the sandy beach looking out to the calm waters ahead. Daydreaming about where my life was heading and imagining what adventure I should give myself next whilst travelling around Australia. I just stared at a big boulder on the right side of the beach.

Waves were lapping at the boulder, as I looked closer I wondered if that was a way around it. So I got up, dusted the sand off my shorts and walked down the beach towards the big rock.

There was enough places for my feet to hold and I climbed over the 5 metre high rock.

My lone trek that would take me around the trackless border of South Molle Island began…

To be continued...

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Desalination What's that in the water?

January 14th 2009 05:07

Hayman has a desalination plant on the island. I just thought to share what I saw. I’m not an expert on desalination plants but I did find out a few things that were a bit troubling to a greenie and health nut like me.

First I’ll ask you one thing – where does the salt that’s been extracted from the water go

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Whitsundays History

January 13th 2009 20:59

Whitsundays History, did you know that the Whitsunday Islands Australia were called this because Captain James Cook sailed into the harbour on Whit Sunday? Whit Sunday is another name of the Christian day of Pentecost.

The native aboriginal people inhabiting the area before the pioneering British arrived were called the Ngaro. They were skilled sea hunters and gatherers and apparently became skilled navigators for the new comers to Australia (I don't know if this was by force or by trade of skills and services because i don't know enough of the history

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Hayman Island Walks

January 11th 2009 23:58

Hayman Island Walks

Hayman Island Australia is a private island so if you have a boat and want to moor and walk around the island you are not supposed to. You can snorkel anywhere though, except the resort beach (above pic) which is strictly private for guests. If you are daring and want to explore the walking tracks on Hayman more then just moor at Blue Pearl Bay, follow the walking track up the hillside then turn left. This track goes all the way around the island. Watch out for snakes and take plenty of water and a first aid kit

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Sting Ray Snorkelling Part 2 - Sea Slug

January 10th 2009 11:30

Sting Ray Snorkelling Sea Slug... the slug was fascinating to Maxine and she dove down to look closer. I floated on the surface and watched her reach out to pet it like a cat. She was totally taken by it. Then she swam up towards me and came to the surface. Taking her mouth piece out she said 'I’ve never seen one this big!' with an amazed look on her face. She was an experienced diver so she'd know. "Come down and see closer, it's got the most amazing colours" she said and before I could reply she's put her mouth piece back in and was gone. I dove down with her kicking my legs and then wham! My ears! Oh the pain. I quickly came back to the surface and wanted to cry. God my ears hurt.

First lesson in diving underwater - equalise you ears! No one ever told me that before and they had popped badly. Needless to say I was not impressed and unhappy to have the pain. I didn't know how to equalise my ears, Maxine showed me later but it was too late now

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Wine and Sun in the Whitsundays

January 9th 2009 11:05

Wine and Sun in the Whitsundays

hayman island, whitsundays, australia, red wine

A big wave bowed me over, some water had rushed under my flippers and I was tipped into the surf. I came up spluttering and laughing, I turned around to look at my friends sitting on the beach, they were laughing too and Max had a camera. How funny

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The Pacific Wind Whitsundays

January 8th 2009 10:45

The Pacific Wind Whitsundays On South Molle Island in the Whitsundays Australia, there are about seven different trails you can walk around. When I was working as a room attendant there I loved to get away from the staff village after work and go wandering.
There is the most amazing place to go to on the walking track that leads to the secluded beach on the opposite side to the resort. The beach is nice but on the way there is the most beautiful view you'll ever have of the ocean and islands.
Once you walk through the bushland which winds up through the gully that cuts through the centre of the island, you follow a gentle incline and the landscape opens up into a beautiful grassy meadow

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Crocodile!

January 7th 2009 06:51

Crocodile

My first experience with a crocodile has left a scar for life. No, not a real scar. I wasn’t mauled if that’s what you’re thinking lol. I was scared emotional for life though. I had a shock experience is all. You see I grew up in country Victoria, Australia where the most dangerous animals are snakes (and we hardly ever saw them either because it's too cold or dad got to them before they got to us

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