Having recovered from two rather challenging nights of camping on the incredible Fraser Island it was time to continue my journey north. Cleo had already left for Airlie Beach where the second part of our Package deal included a 2-day sailing trip around the Whitsunday Islands. 

Wanting to add a diving license to my list of qualifications I remained in Harvey Bay to do the PADI open water diver course. I took the theory course and test and passed the swimming assessment. It was then time for the required open-water dives, but the weather was not on my side and so I decided to leave and complete it somewhere else at a later stage. In retrospect, I am sure the diving centre did this on purpose so they could charge the full amount, but never actually complete the course. Backpackers are not likely to stay in one place for weeks on end until they decide the weather is good enough for the dives to actually happen. In the following weeks, I met a number of people who had had the same experience. 

A Colorful Haven Amidst Feathered Encounters

Cutting my losses I chose to leave. Another long Bus ride later I arrived in this beautiful little place where backpackers outnumbered inhabitants by at least 10 to 1. I checked into the hostel and dropped off my bags before exploring my new surroundings. The only things that outnumbered the backpackers in this town were the Cockatoos and other more colourful birds. They certainly did not fear humans and decided that my shoelaces looked like a new toy they just had to have. I managed to convince my new feathered friends to let me go and returned to the hostel where I registered for the next boat trip. I started the following day.

Later that afternoon we had a meeting to learn all we needed to know before boarding the sailing boat the following day. As Cleo had left Harvey Bay a few days prior to me, I figured she would already have completed the trip and be on her way to the next destination on her list. But as faith would have it she had decided to take the exact same trip as me. Apparently, we were not the only ones interested in the details of the trip. While listening to our soon-to-be guide, a huge shadow moved across the space. I looked up expecting to see something scary heading towards our location, but it was actually one of my feathered Cockatoo friends who had decided to join the meeting. I spent the rest of the evening in the Bar of the hostel talking to Travis, the bar manager and his bartenders. 

Setting Sail for the not so Hidden Wonders

As most days in this region of Australia the next morning was beautiful, the perfect weather with the perfect temperature. The ocean and the corral reef were calling to me and so I boarded the sailing boat with a great group of explorers who I would share this experience with.

I must say that while I am South African and should love the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans, my true love is the Pacific. Even the Caribbean did not live up to the Pacific Ocean in my heart. I have seen both sides first here in Australia and many years later on the west coast of Mexico. Some of my best memories are attached to this often underrated ocean. We left the harbour behind and sailed out with the sun shining above us and the perfect turquoise water splashing up against the hull of our boat. The crew tried very hard to make us all seasick with absolutely no success whatsoever. 

Cleo always knew how to make the most out of every situation, lying on deck soaking in the sun while the crew navigated our way through the Islands and past their pristine white sand beaches. We were far too busy enjoying the sun to get involved in the hoisting of sails of steering of the boat. But when it came to standing at the bow of the ship and getting absolutely drenched as the boat hit each wave head-on, we were the first to volunteer.

Navigating the Jellyfish Haven

Before lunch, we anchored near a reef and had the chance to snorkel and view the corral reef. I spent about 15 minutes in the water where I saw more jellyfish than water and decided that enjoying the sun on deck was a much better use of my time. There is nothing worse than swimming through jellyfish instead of water. While the ones I could see were harmless, knowing what the nasty box jellyfish could do and that they lived in these waters was enough to keep me on board for the rest of the trip. 

Lunch on the ship was actually really good thanks to one of the crew members who cooked for all of us. A few stops later it was time to head to the island where we would spend the night. I shared a room with Cleo who had something far more interesting planned than sleeping. After dinner and once it was dark, we walked to the beach. The sand was so fine and white that it squeaked under our feet. If you have jewellery which needs a bit of polish, just rub it in the fine sand and it will sparkle like new.

We lay on the beach looking up into the black sky with the most incredible display of stars and looked out for shooting stars. We talked about life and love and the passions which drive us in everything we do. A passion to explore the world and learn more about ourselves and the world around us. That desire to understand ourselves and our purpose is something all explorers share no matter their background age or culture. I have no idea how long we spent on that beach but I do know that we didn’t get much sleep that night.

Sharing the Exceptional Beauty of the Southern Cross

I will never forget that experience, it was a defining moment in my life, the moment I realised my connection to others like me. Others, who are so often misunderstood and judged by those who choose to live a traditional life, a socially acceptable one, which does not include throwing caution to the wind and living in the moment for the moment. We may be scattered across the globe, but in these moments we connect even if only for a short time. These connections are meaningful and profound and lead to a deeper understanding of that inner desire that is always present. 

Back onboard we sailed around the area taking in the beauty and enjoying the company of like-minded people. A few snorkelling stops and lots of waves later we docked back in Airlie Beach, tired, tanned and happy. A feeling of wonder and excitement for what I had seen and what I was still going to be able to experience on this strange journey through life. I liked this place and decided to spend a few more nights there, but Cleo was leaving the following morning.

Parting Ways Once More

As a final (or so we thought) moment of our time together we went for dinner at a Thai restaurant. We had the most incredible meal consisting of Fish and every vegetable known to mankind. A fabulous end to an incredible experience and a Friendship which had changed me in so many ways. She showed me not only who I was inside but how to be the best version of myself. How to own my truth and be proud of being different and wanting different things from those around me. Without her, I would not be who I am today and would not have lived this incredible and exciting life. Wherever you may be today Cleo, I hope you are still living your best life and inspiring people the way you inspired me.