Sailing The Pacific Ocean

We set out on a day that we knew would test our resolve: we were going on a sailing trip on Domino, a 23ft single hulled boat with only 8 other guests.  However, the first test was to get to the marina on our own.  Not really a test as Samantha is now a master of the bus timetable so we simply hopped on the 08:03, got off at Caltex and then walked along the bicentennial walkway to the marina.  First test done and passed with flying colours!

We waited and watched the other guests’ gather, most looking confident, one or two looking a little edgy.  First there were six of us, then eight, then ten, then twelve, hold on this boat can only take eight!?  Suzanne came out and introduced herself “Hi, I’ll be your dive instructor for this trip” the look of horror on our faces was noticeable, she continued “so will all those coming on Summertime please follow me”, we have to say there was a big sigh of relief from the TeamJam camp!

After the ‘Summertime’ guests had disappeared to fill in medical questionnaires and the like (some still looking decidedly shaky), we were met by Captain Reg who was to be our skipper for the day.  He told us that we were the only passengers, can you believe it, we had our very own private charter yacht (take note The Derwent)!

Reg’s wife Julie gave us the safety briefing and before we knew it we were off, just the three of us, Domino and the Pacific Ocean (Julie didn’t come with us for the astute of you counting the numbers).  Reg was a lovely man: he was 65, from Holland and had been in Australia for 41 years.  He had been sailing all his life so knew a thing or two about boats. 

However, there is one thing you don’t necessarily want to hear in the opening remarks from your skipper and that is “I have a heart condition…”, you can imagine what scenarios were going through Samantha’s mind!  Unfortunately Reg had recently been diagnosed with a heart condition and would shortly require open-heart surgery so this was potentially his last trip as he was looking to sell the business and retire.

We set off to Bali Hai Island, us on a private charter, Reg on a farewell tour, happily chatting and getting to know each other, gently sailing across the Pacific Ocean and through another world heritage site.  Unfortunately we weren’t really sailing, as the wind wasn’t very strong (although I think Samantha was secretly relieved).

Eventually the wind picked up and sails kicked into life and then we really were sailing the Pacific Ocean.  “Do you want a go” Reg asked Jonny, you have never seen a grin like it!  So after a short piece of refresher training (push left to go right and right to go left, and stay on course, easy yeh?) Jonny was at the helm and steering us (sort of) towards our destination.  The wind dropped and with it Samantha’s blood pressure as Jonny handed control back over to Reg.

After 2 ½ hours or so we arrived at Hali Bai to find another boat already there and a sea swell being caused by cyclone out in the ocean (luckily not heading our way!), so Reg suggested that we push on a little further around the corner, so we did, who were we to argue.

We anchored in a little bay on the north side of Hook Island, this was were Reg first came when he started the business 12 years ago so somehow it seemed appropriate.  It was just so peaceful and calm.  We had to transfer to a small beach by dinghy, lets just say this is not Samantha’s favourite part of any trip.  To add insult to injury we had to don rather fetching stinger suits (owing to the time of year) to protect us from the nasty little jellyfish.

We got in to the dingy and transferred to the beach without a problem or a squeal.  Samantha didn’t do the whole snorkeling bit but she did take her noodle (float) and happily bob over the coral reef looking at the beauty below through the crystal clear water.  That is right up until the point she saw a big fish, her mind switched into overdrive and she returned to the beach in overdrive (still smiling though and with everyone very proud of her).

Jonny took to the water like a whale to the sea!  Armed with disposable underwater camera he floated around the reef for over an hour taking in the splendid colours and vibrant fish (unfortunately there are no pictures of this yet as we have to send the films to Truprint).

After a lovely salad lunch back on board Domino it was time to head for home.  Reg took us back round the corner and then hoisted the sails, the wind was up and this time we were moving.  “Did Jonny want another go”, did he ever!

So trainee skipper Jonny took to the helm, first 6 knots, then 7 and eventually 7.5 knots, we were shifting!  Unbeknown to him at this time Jonny was to sail us all the way back home whilst Samantha relaxed (no honestly she did!) and Reg reminisced.

The journey back was uneventful but in a good way.  Whether under power or sail cruising around the Whitsundays is just so relaxing with the sun beaming down on us and the wind in our hair (well obviously not Jonny’s!) you just drift along serenely.

The highlight was when trainee skipper Jonny shouted “Dolphins” to which Samantha responded “Are you sure you are not hallucinating” – some people have no faith!  But it was there, just a lone dolphin but for a short while (not long enough for photos – it never is) it skimmed along with the boat.

We arrived back at the marina and Jonny guided us back to the mooring but not quite all the way in (Reg was not that confident in his abilities) and we reflected on what had been an absolutely fantastic day.

Feeling relaxed and tired we had a couple of beers on the way home before stopping at the Jubilee for something to eat.  The Jubilee is a sort of cross between a Harvester and a working mens club.  The food was good – you should have seen the size of the roast carvery portions, we didn’t have it but I think Jonny wishes he had).

Off to bed and time to move on tomorrow.  But no, wait, Samantha has found her sea legs and wants to do another trip tomorrow as we haven’t seen the ‘must do’ Whithaven Beach.  So with our trip in Airlie Beach extended and a trip on a catamaran called Camira booked we hit the sack (it’s 9pm!).  Night, night.