Not a great
combination but fortunately we managed to keep them apart!
Iza and Peter
visited and we had three days of perfect weather. They bravely clambered aboard
at Long Island, where they had booked a few days’ accommodation. Captain and
Matey hadn’t visited Long before so this was an exciting new experience for
all.
We headed for
Nara Inlet on Hook Island, and had a snorkel on the way at False Nara.
Snorkelling was better than it at first appeared. The Nara fjord was as
beautiful as ever but it offered one surprise we hadn’t yet encountered.
Captain washed the potatoes for dinner and kept some salt water in the pot for
cooking, as is our usual water-saving practice. Matey pulled the potatoes out
of the pot to chop them and eagle-eyed Iza peered into the pot and said: 'What’s
that?'
'Oooh — looks
like an Irukandji', said the Matey after poking it with a breadknife —
fortunately — rather than her fingers. It was the right size, shape, had four tentacles and was virtually transparent. It was nearing the end of the
season but there had been northerly winds — Irukandji conditions, we’re told. After
much consideration we agreed it had to be an Irukandji. We’d never actually seen
one before but now we knew why — it was almost invisible. We pondered what Irukandji
potatoes would taste like: quite flavoursome perhaps?
There were a few
anxious moments as we considered whether Captain or Matey might have actually
touched said jellyfish. No pain in fingers but we would know in half an hour if
panicking was required — fortunately it wasn't. 'Irukandji Iza' saved the day! (and
the dinner!)
Next day we
motor-sailed to Cid Harbour as there wasn’t much wind but that meant almost
mill-pond conditions — can’t really complain about that. The walk to Whitsunday
Peak is strenuous but the view is worth the effort and it didn’t disappoint.
Our new crew took
to boat life well and didn’t even panic after close encounters with stingers,
snakes and other wildlife! Iza made an exceptionally good galley slave. Captain
and Matey were very impressed.
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| Leaving Long Island |
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| Captain Iza |
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| At Nara |
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| Matey's yoga partner salutes the sun |
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| Always sensible |
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| The boys |
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| View from Whitsunday Peak |
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| Irukandji anyone? |
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| Rainforest mermaid |
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| Still sensible |
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| Their accommodation on Long Island |
 | ||||
The taxi 
    |
