Many thanks to Ray for stepping in with a post, many thanks to Karen for suggesting it!

Today, our day began at 6:30am, up and at ’em to get ready to go island hopping. 
After an interesting ferry ride where we had more opportunity to catch up – Ray still can’t understand how there is MORE to talk about -we docked at Daydream island and explored it on foot. The island is small enough to be able to comfortably get around and we had a couple of hours which included time for a coffee and look see in the resort shops. A little bit pricey, as we expected, but nice to wander through and dream. Caleb was getting a little concerned about the ferry leaving without us at the time we had chosen to depart, so we followed him, heading back along the boardwalk. Karen’s expertise with her camera (Miss Fancypants) was a constant stream of learning for us and we watched her as she used photographic techniques to record her surroundings. We grew more interested and then tried out some of her suggestions with our photo taking. It’s not as easy as it seemed, but I will continue to try to include some of her tips in my future photo taking. Caleb has developed an excited interest in photography since setting eyes on Miss Fancypants and has repeatedly mentioned his future plans of owning one and growing up to take photos in gardens. 
We agreed to sit up on the open deck of the ferry on the ride between Daydream Island and Hamilton Island. We had just settled in and were busy taking happy snaps when we took notice of the departing announcement. The Captain suggested that we were in for a bumpy ride and anyone sitting upstairs might like to move inside unless they were prepared to get a little wet. We hurried down the stairs, but not quickly enough for Karen and Linda. A huge wall of water washed up over the side and drenched their backs and bums. 
Luckily, once inside we found seats because that is where the fun began. Our trip across to Hamilton was marred by the roughest sea, resulting in a trip resembling a showground ride. Our feet and bottoms left the surfaces they were sitting on and our stomaches kept coming up to meet our mouths. Poor Karen, she hadn’t experienced anything like it since we went to the Melbourne Show together when we were 16 years old. She didn’t enjoy the Pirate Ship that we dragged her on then, and had avoided anything resembling it, until now. I know she won’t hold it against me. One poor lady on the trip became sea sick and we worried that it would have a run on effect, especially with Caleb so I perched forward on my chair to block his view. This just made me more susceptible to the bouncing and I held on to the table in front of us for dear life. It went on and on as the water washed up over the windows. Karen managed to get some video footage of it which is spectacular, I managed to hold onto my guts and bowels. 

We arrived at Hamilton Island, Karen was determined to live there permanently if she had to endure the same conditions on the trip back. We were assured that the afternoon tide would calm the conditions somewhat. Hamilton Island is known for its buggy culture. That is, in order to get around the island you hire a golf buggy and proceed to make merry fun on the roads. We just about rubbed our hands with glee, thinking about the possible fun to be had with a couple of them. We headed towards the hire depot, negotiating a hill on the way that demanded engaging muscles in movement not used in a very long time. We were convinced it would all be worth it in the end. Imagine our horror/disappointment/devastation when we arrived to discover that all the remaining buggies on the island that weren’t booked out by holiday makers, were reserved for delegates of a conference arriving that day. We couldn’t hire one at all, we could have cried. Instead, we explored the island on the free shuttle bus, enjoyed a leisurely lunch overlooking the marina and then went to check out the resort facilities. We did a spell on the beach loungers while Caleb squeezed himself into an inflated giant beach ball and proceeded to bounce and bowl his opponents over on the beach. We indulged in an icecream and before we knew it, had to return to the marina for the return trip. Thankfully, the water was as flat as glass and the return trip treated us to some beautiful sunset shots. We were absolutely knackered when we got back and we all decided it must have been the fresh air depleting our energy.

The Whitsunday Islands – a definite must see. Spectacular at any time of the year, spectacularly unforgettable with amazing friends!