A Solo Travellers Mind

The day after Fraser Island, I awoke to the feeling of death inside my head. It was like every flu in the world had decided to take residence inside my skull and wanted to slowly kill me. And with this feeling came the knowledge that I had an 8 hour bus ride in store to get from Noosa to Rockhampton. The only silver lining to this experience was that in Rockhampton, after just about surviving the trip, we arrived to find we had a private 2 bed dorm (a blessing from the sickness gods). Rockhampton was also incredibly cheap, which meant although I was just lying in bed for days doing nothing, I also wasn’t wasting my money. The reason we had come to Rockhampton was to go and visit the Keppel Islands. Laura visited on the second day like we were meant to. However, I was still far too sick to go anywhere further than 3 metres from my bed. On day 3 of the flu I was starting to feel about 60% more human, but with this in mind I made the choice to spend another day in a hostel, before heading to the Keppel Islands over the weekend. 

The second hostel I stayed in was absolutely adorable. It was like a big family house, with lots and lots of communal food and toiletries, which is a backpackers dream! I had free beans on toast in the morning, got free moisturiser, and free shampoo. What else do you need? 

On arrival at the Keppels, I spent my first day hiking a trail across the island and stopping at the beaches to snorkel. Snorkelling at Monkey Beach, Long Beach, and Shelving Beach, seeing a turtle in Shelving Beach and lots of fishes. In the evening, I met a chap called Mark, which then set the beginning of a bloody big adventure. As we stood and spoke, a guy came over to us and showed us a photo he’d taken of us. This guy was Rus. We later got introduced to Tim and 3 bottles of wine later, I approached the subject of coming aboard their boat, and to my surprise, I got a yes. They would spend the next week sailing across to Airlie Beach which is actually where I was planning on going next, now I would sail across with these guys, through the Whitsundays and arrive at Airlie Harbour and hop off. Beautiful plans were created through wine. However, at 3 am, I woke to the feeling I needed to vomit (which I did), and that wasn’t quite as beautiful…

The next morning, I moved my things onto the boat, with the plan that we’d dock on Monday in case I got sea sick and needed to re-think my transportation methods. The day was spent snorkelling again, this time spotting a sting ray! Mark and I had a picnic on the beach before heading to meet Rus and Tim for a few cocktails. Mark came on board for the night as well, as we were docking where he worked so we could give him a lift (as you do). Rus cooked up a steak and sweet potato dinner before the dolphins came out to play after sunset! Watching one dolphin jump up and around the boat! Then it was an early night to see how my first night sleeping on the boat would be. Mostly, it was smooth sailing (pardon the pun), except for waking up at 4 am seriously confused about why I was moving. According to Rus, we were all awake at 4am, so the wind must have changed and awoke us as we started rocking in another direction. Who knew lol…

The day was spent at dock, with the jobs of the day, including stocking up and sunbathing. With the evening entertainment in the form of an Argentinian bbq and Russell’s friend, Fraser, coming to annoy us. Overall, a good night was had, and because we were docked, it meant I got a lovely night’s rest as the boat was barely moving (praise the inventions of a break wall).

Monday was meant to be the afternoon we set sail. However, due to a small mechanical error, this didn’t occur, and we would now set sail on Wednesday morning. So instead, my day was spent skateboarding, as Fraser had lent me his board for the day, and then paddle boarding while getting my tan on. Absolutely floorless vibes, considering plans had been momentarily paused. The evening was spent with all of us eating yummy food and drinking one too many rum and cokes before a movie, watching the 5 year engagement (chick flicks provail). Tuesday had similar vibes. This time, my skateboarding session was a little longer as Fraser had given me his board. He claims this is because he is scared of me and thinks I’d hurt him if he didn’t, I reckon he just knows I’m better than him… 

Wednesday was sail day, starting at 7am. My final land shower for a few days was had, followed by, of course, the breaky of kings (pouched eggs and beans). The anti sickness I purchased was more of a preventative measure than anything else, I didn’t want to start being sick and be unable to stop! Within minutes of setting off, we saw dolphins swim across the front of the boat! The journey involved a 3 day sail across the Pacific, day 1 went down a treat, good food, good vibes and good tunes before anchoring at Hexham Island for the worst night sleep of our lives as the boat was rocky and very noisy… Day 2 started with me making poached eggs for everyone on a rocky boat, which miraculously didn’t end with eggs on the floor and watching the sunrise as we began to sail. The days sail included seeing 2 whales, very up close and very far north. We didn’t think we’d see any whales because of how north we were, but some had made their way up already. We sailed through the 100 magic miles. 100 miles of islands and reefs, pretty cool to see. Went past a shipping dock, and saw some of the biggest cargo ships I’d ever seen, and the evening was rounded off with yet another sunset and me cooking a stir fry for everyone and hoping I didn’t give anyone food poisoning. Our final day of sailing was another early start watching yet another spectacular sunrise. Sailing through the final part of the 100 miles of islands, up past Hamilton Island and through the Whitsundays. Celebrating our arrival to Airlie (alive) with a steak and mash dinner, a few drinks and some live music at the pub, before the adults got far too drunk and I had to practically carry them back to the boat…

Hitch hiking my way half way up the Queensland Coast in Yacht wasn’t how I expected some of this journey to go, but my lawd what an experience and what good fun, and something I’ll never get to do again! Here’s to doing the shit your parents tell you absolutely never to do…