Sailing and Diving the beautiful Whitsunday Islands on Maxi Yacht Condor 06/01/2011

Around midday we made our way down to the marina eagerly awaiting our 2 day 2 night trip on Condor, one of the most famous Maxi Yachts in the Whitsundays having won every major ocean race at least twice. It started to rain which didn’t dampen our spirits, particularly when we learnt only 14 people were on the trip. The boat can hold up to 29 and so we had loads of room below deck. After our skipper Micko briefed us on the trip, weather, safety procedures and introduced us to our deckies Dan and Taylor, we were off and keeping our fingers crossed the sea sickness tablets were working as we set off through the rain towards the black clouds ahead wearing ever so glamorous yellow anoraks. How fitting!

Amazingly the weather soon cleared up and within a few hours we were all suited up in our even more glamorous stinger suits and snorkelling. Ash wanted to explore a bit more and so off he headed to another boat to do an introductory scuba dive which he thoroughly enjoyed. After snacks and a fabulous dinner we settled down to a few drinks (I was on the Bundaberg whilst Ash was on the Victoria Bitter; real aussie drinks!) and got tucked up in our bunks. It was pretty warm under deck however we both managed to sleep until needing the toilet around 3.30am. Ash went after me and I started to get a little concerned when he didn’t arrive back to bed after a long 15 minutes. I decided to go look for him in the galley thinking he would be getting a drink but was nowhere to be seen. The only place he could be was on deck so up I climbed to see the most magnificent of sights I have seen. My breath was taken away to see thousands of stars twinkling in the night sky. I didn’t have to ask why Ash had decided to sit out on deck for so long. It was definitely one of those moments we will look back on and remember for a long time.

The bad weather of the previous day was long gone as we enjoyed a glorious day of beautiful weather, maybe even too much sunshine. With even more amazing snorkeling admiring the reef and beautifully coloured fish this trip was getting better by the second. Not to mention the amazing food that the deckies prepared every breakfast, lunch and dinner not to mention the snacks and cups of tea in between. We also got to visit the lookout over Whitehaven Beach, a definite must see. For those that have visited will no its sands consist of 98% pure silica which gives it its white colour. Even NASA have used this sand it’s that good! In the afternoon we chilled on the beach and took in the beauty of it even more. With another great days sailing under our belt we were definitely in a relaxed state. We both said we could get used to this way of life! Due to poor wind conditions we didn’t get to sail at great speed that Condor is notorious for but during the trip we did get to help out with some sailing putting up sails using the ropes and grinders.

As we made our way back into Airlie Beach on Saturday lunchtime we were sad to be leaving the boat. Although we both took sea sickness tablets at the start of the trip we had both accustomed to boat life and didn’t need them anymore. I would like to think this trip cured me of my seasickness, I always said it was made up in my head!!