Big Fury rafting in the Whitsundays

After normal morning routines, we managed to fit in a quick game (boys mini-golf and girls Monopoly Deal) before checking out, parking Pearl in the visitors car park and being picked up for our "Big Fury rafting in the Whitsundays". It is not a raft as we know it, but simply a large open-air sports boat with four 225 outboards on the back. The day was deceptive as we headed out of Airlie Harbour, the first half hour was calm but it then became quite choppy. After an hour of speeding through the Whitsundays, we stopped to snorkel at an island reef site. All 5 of the Davidsons checked out the coral and fish, Rosa decked out in a stinger suit (even though it is not the season!). It was then another half hour of getting quite wet (except Tom and Rosa who were parked up next to the skipper!) before we landed on Whitehaven Beach. This is renowned as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. The sand was certainly super fine and very white, and the water beautifully clear. A delicious lunch was served just in from the beach, with the resident goannas Bruce and his mum hanging around and flicking their tongues at us hoping for some meat. Another bit of excitement was spotting a small olive python on the pathway. Had a lounge on the sand and a play in the water here for a couple of hours before beginning what was a pretty wet and wild ride back to Airlie Beach. Arrived back drenched about 5.00. Once back at Pearl, we hit the road, driving for just over an hour to a free roadside camper van park about halfway between Bowen and Ayr.
The Aussie mosquitoes have had a ball mauling fresh NZ meat, and TREBS on tour are pretty eaten so lots of SOOV going on!