As promised, today there is an extensive review of us. We are only now returned from our sailing trip around the Whitsundays and to make it short to the point: it was great! But then this right up. Let's start at the very front.

So have about two weeks ago when we got our car, we met on our day-parking lot a group of German guys who have told us that they have a burly German Canadians to know who invited them on his catamaran around the Whitsunday Islands to sail. They were all excited and looked forward very much forward. One evening, then this was obviously generous man with us in the round. His name was Klaus and he has lived for 40 years in Canada. Actually he is from Hamburg, but when he was in his early 20 he has turned his back on Germany and emigrated to Canada with a stop in Africa. Well, we both know Klaus learned and we were asked whether or not we also sometimes want to go sailing with him. We could not of course say "no", so we are not proposing an offer. Especially when you consider that cost the commercial sailing here at least $ 400. Tina had nurnoch on their work to understand that it only works from Thursday and then again it could go off already.

The plan was actually that we go sailing on Monday and stay until Wednesday night or Thursday morning. But we have but then decided for the Florian from Berlin also come along with us two. As he works on a ship he was only 16 clock was completed Monday and that is to drive out too late - because it is almost dark. Thus we have yet to wait a day and are off on Tuesday at 10 sailed.

As we slowly sailed towards the Whitsunday Islands are, we have established ourselves comfortably in our cabin. We had the starboard aft berth: D For the sailors amongst us. For all others: the back left.

The wind that day was not particularly good, so we have sailed quite a while with the engine and had only the front sail (the jib rolled out). Klaus has told us something, what you look for when sailing needs it is correct, as it shoots up lines ", the names of the sails, how the navigation instruments and how you have to use the toilet;) This is on a ship not because it would always so simple. Then we all had it in mind to taxes. So we then moved so with 3-6 nodes.

Since the wind was strong and not really for us came from an unfavorable direction, we had to cross a few times. That means a couple of nautical miles in one direction go to the wind advantage, then turn the wheel in the other direction, ship turn and sail from port to starboard (or vice versa) to get to the wind then be able to use in the other direction. So one is then continued in a zig-zag to get to his goal to come. In our case this was a passage between two islands.

Full of hope for delicious fish we have rolled out shortly after the exit port of our two tow lines to the dinner was great to catch tasty. But somehow, the angler lucky not with us, and we have all the days not a fish with the drag line caught: (Really really annoying! Earlier, Klaus and the other two Berliners and girls from Stuttgart, a 120cm Spanish mackerel and even a 60cm spotted mackerel caught. So the evening had to Timo and Florian stand still and start the normal fishing a few small fish.

Previously, it was Timo but the whole afternoon slack around in the stomach. He has lain determined three or four hours only on the trampoline in order to defeat the nausea. Two toast, orange juice and a banana should solve the problem .. However, it was and was not better. Since one could help nurnoch: chewing gum against acute nausea and vomiting. But could not hold the what they promised and caused quite the contrary: (So was quickly emptied into the sea nor the stomach. There he went again after that much better.

By late afternoon we anchored in Tongue Bay (bay tongue). Pretty soon, then the sun was setting and a beautiful starry sky appeared. In addition, there a full moon - wonderful.

For dinner we had delicious pork roast has cooked us Florian. He is a professional cook and can therefore also very good;) In addition there were mashed potatoes and green beans. Very tasty! However, Timo could not eat as much, because his stomach was still fairly concentrated, after he had eaten nothing all day.

After dinner we went to the fishing. The remains of roast meat (especially rind) were used as bait and ejected the fishing. Before long, the tendon shrugged slightly, but the fish have only nibbled and none has been caught in the bait. So try again. This time it worked and we could get a 20cm big fish on the boat. However, this was much too little. It is so hungry to eat. So, the hinges were a few times and kept clean at 11 clock in the evening we had 6 fish together. All were in roughly the same size and looked quite tasty. When gutting and cleaning us is unfortunately still a missing left and disappeared into the depths of the sea;) But half the wild, we still had five others. Which were then placed on the whole in the refrigerator to be processed the next day.

On Wednesday morning we left early in the morning. 4.25 clock has rung the alarm, because we've to be at sunrise on Whitehaven Beach - the one seen only once, and you have the guarantee to be pretty much alone. So we tortured out of bed and went by dinghy to the beach. With horror, we had to find just very strong tide, was probably strengthened by the full moon. So we came with the boat barely 150m wide, then we had to tie ourselves to corals. Continue about 100m were then to meet on foot. That is, not so easy, everywhere were corals, hard and soft, and you never knew where what is hidden in the sand, which could be dangerous - or at least hurts. Tina had foolishly only flip-flops here and which are unsuitable for such an undertaking. Timo had good shoes on and then had to take Tina piggyback, so that they reasonably safe and unharmed to the state comes. A scratch on the foot, she had already. But we all arrived safe at the beach. After estimated 600m path over a hill we arrived at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach and the sun was just beginning to pay off. Due to the low tide, the beach was at least 500m wide and incredibly soft and white. A dream! The sand was so fine that it squeaks like snow even if one runs out.

Unfortunately we were not the only ones on the beach as we had hoped. A huge army of soldier crabs (soldier crabs joined) to us. But have not disturbed so;) After all, they are only as big as a little thicker and hazelnut are running away from us anyway.

Then the sun slowly came out from behind an island. A sunrise like a picture, that's for sure. Paradise on earth. To prove you'll see that the pictures;)

The tide had left a small lake where we could see a few sting rays. No large, only about as big as a dinner plate. We are all together then declined to a Wegzweigung, which led to a different path to a lookout point. Klaus and Florian were there already, so we are both alone, went even further 500m and the other two are already back to the dinghy.

Once at the lookout point we could enjoy a wonderful view over the whole beach. The sun reflected in the turquoise water and slowly it was also getting warmer. Although we were annoyed by pesky sand fleas, but the view made up for everything. Unfortunately, the time was a bit in the neck and we had to go back to the boat, because we wanted to sail on. So we first boarded the dinghy, which Klaus and Florian had been brought to the beach. It was already enough water there to be able to paddle around. Shortly after the drop we have seen a small reef shark. For us harmless, he was only about 40 cm long. Back on the ship first we had breakfast. There were scrambled eggs with ham and toast, Florian has again boiled, and everything hinbekommen super. Then it started, but we are not driven very far. Just to round a headland and then a few miles and we have found a good anchor point. At least we thought das. Because after a few minutes later a boat approached and asked us to move the anchor point. On the stretch of beach which lay before us should be made and a photo shoot because we were in the path. As compensation for the trouble he promised us a bottle of wine. It was not a problem for us because we were just arrived, so we simply drove 500m and anchored again. Here we were able to stop it.

Now that the jellyfish season starts in November is not recommended to go without so-called Stingersuits into the water. They are just thin body suits to protect against burns by jellyfish. At least at the largest part of the body, hands and feet are not protected the head is not. But anyway no jellyfish were seen. We have the clothes but rather put on anyway. Better safe - and also see the things even extreeeem sexy:-D

We then enjoyed a couple of hours on the beach, and stayed in the water and the beautiful water and weather.

By late morning we weighed anchor and headed north. One was missing, however: the promised bottle of wine. We knew from what ship the boat came, and are simply driven past times and have asked where is our wine;) This ship was from the outside, just a dream! The "Princess Iluka was" a beautiful luxury yacht - dark blue hull, silver-gray building with heavy security and several million. As a bottle of wine does not hurt;) The raft of previously passed just next to the boat and we asked for the wine. Without a murmur he drove off and got us a 1999's red wine. Which can not be outdone! Thanks, we turned away and went on course to play on. We drank the wine but not, unfortunately, remains reserved for the captain;)

This day was even more welcoming. The wind was pretty slow on the road, and only from time to time was a blast. We sat still jib and main sail and slid comfortably over the sea. Timo it went really well, probably because he himself had controlled almost all the time. 5 knots on this day was the top speed, but mostly we took about 3 knots. So a pleasant trip;)

The tow lines, we also hung out directly as we drove off, but they are also on this day not one bit of fish: (In the distance we saw schools of fish again and again and leaping of fish, but has our baits are no longer available.

Past some islands, passages and beautiful bays, we reached a point of land behind which we had to change course to achieve our planned anchorage. Before the point of land apparently met a couple of different currents and swirling winds and the sea on strong. Waves came from all directions and also spots where the sea apparently seemed to stand still to be seen. Looked really crazy! And the strangest thing was that it looked as if we are moving not at all, even though we were traveling at 5 knots. But we are fortunately are not placed in danger, and passed through safely. Was just a little rough;) One of the rocks that you see in the pictures, looks like a little puppy. So a strain on your eyes and find it;) A beautiful freak of nature.

On the way to our anchorage we had to pass two reefs, the ships can be quite dangerous, especially for low tide. But everything was not a problem, Timo was already experienced in taxes;) We then anchored in front of a beach that is almost completely covered at high tide. At low tide it is about 500m long and belongs to a small island. After we moored to a buoy we slipped again in our Stingersuits and grabbed Schorchelausrüstung. Around us lay a reef and the fact we wanted to see. The dinghy was then lowered into the water again and we drove towards the beach to swim from there. The reef began not 10m from the shore, so we did not have to swim for long. We saw some beautiful coral and fish. Some of us were already known from Cairns, when we were snorkeling Green Iceland. But the water here was pretty cool and it was already late afternoon. We are therefore not so long remained in the water and soon returned to the ship. We had, unfortunately, still no fish for dinner, so we had to again cast the fishing to catch something edible. Actually, fishing was banned there because it is national park, but we had nunmal hunger and we were not caught;) Unfortunately, the yield was not very great. Only two perch fish longer than 30cm. But after all, came out four fillets, ie for every one for supper. In addition, it was rice and vegetables:) Tina, it was not very good this evening. We were disturbed in any protective bay and therefore it was right below us. But a travel sickness tablet and sleep overcame the nausea. As far as with Timo on the day before it was fortunately not;)

The next morning we drove off already half 7 because we still had a couple of miles ahead of us.

What is really exciting is not happening. When trolling, we were still unsuccessful - why? What are we doing wrong?

About 11 clock we were back in port. Then it was still clean up pack up things and clean cabins. Finally, it was even washed and scrubbed the deck if necessary. Then our sailing trip was already over. It has really made a lot of fun. We have seen many new things and experiences that one does not experience often. We also had the good fortune that we have sailed right. We have seen many tourists - "Sailing", which are almost only driven with motor. If we ensure everyone is a few hundred have left, we would certainly have been very angry. So we had just once again good luck:)

Now that we are back to land us the movement of the ship is not really out of my head. If we stand still or sit somewhere our balance still thinks we are on the sea:-D So somehow we feel he kidding us about our own bodies and vary, we think. But that will be coming soon.

That was probably the longest blog entry yet. So we hope he makes the show fun;)

See you soon and enjoy the pictures. Soon to come even videos!

Timo & Tina.