Daydream Island

Aug 12th:  We ate breakfast with the dutch family, a very nice couple and their 2 teenage children.  We also smuggled another 10 packets of vegemite from the buffet.  We've been doing this for some days, now.  Vegemite, made popular in the western world through the lyrics from the Men At Work song, 'Down Under', is a yeast extract eaten on toast, biscuits, etc.  We thought we'd bring some back for our friends, serving it at an Aussie-style brunch.  Sharie and Goran are scared we're going to get caught (we've taken about 50 packets).  I say it's all part of the tour.  Relax.  Sharie claims it tastes nasty, too salty.  I've not tried it, yet.

Further north, mostly passing the same type of landscape as yesterday.  White, lethargic cattle lie about in the fields.  Occassionally, an excited 'whoop' comes from the front of the bus, 'Oh, a kangaroo!'  But, usually too late for anyone else to see.  Sue says it's too hot for most of them during the day, so they sleep, waiting for the day to cool.  She also explains that they're actually the kangaroo's smaller cousin, the wallabie.



We arrived at Airlie Beach, a pristine seaside town, where I bought a safari hat before we took a commuter boat to one of the Whitsunday Islands.

Airlie Beach

The journey over was wonderful; the gorgeous waters, sail boats scattered in every bay, lush islands. We're staying at Daydream Island Resort.

We arrived near dusk, though light enough to walk around the grounds.  There were lagoon like swimming pools, a man-made stream with sharks and sting rays, and a cove with mermaid statues sitting on the rocks.  There were even wild wallabies roaming the grounds.

The hotel was also eye-catching.  Statues of mermaids, fish hanging from the ceiling.  We'll be staying here for 2 nights.