We sailed into the Whitsunday Islands early today and anchored among the islands in an area that would not damage any reefs. The Whitsundays are comprised of 74 islands at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. The Whitsundays are a popular tourist destination, and the area is one of the most popular yachting destinations in the Southern Hemisphere.
Our excursion was not until the afternoon, so Tim and I had time to check out the Super Bowl Live Watch Party on the pool deck, where the game was being broadcast on the big screen. I didn’t care about the game, but I did enjoy the food. Chef Alastair seemed delighted that his culinary team had created traditional game-day food, especially the corn dogs. How does an Austrian chef know what Americans eat at sporting events!
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| Super Bowl Live Watch Party |
Chefs Tony and Patrick did it again, with a Super Bowl cake, football made of sugar, and watermelons carved with NFL and team logos. Such talent! I also enjoyed the food, which included hot dogs, BBQ wings, and nachos, to name a few. Although guests were rooting for competing teams, everyone cheered for the food and drinks.
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| Chef Alastair and His Team's Super Bowl Spread |
On my way out, I ran into Hotel General Manager Ronald and asked to take his photo. Instead, he suggested one of the two of us. He is one of my favorite officers with a wry sense of humor. I love walking by his office and checking out his growing collection of animals. I’ll have to remember to take a photo sometime.
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| Sarah and Hotel General Manager Ronald |
Tim and I had selected the included tour, “Sailing the Whitsundays,” for today’s excursion. This is the description:
Enjoy a scenic cruise through the Whitsunday Islands on board a chartered catamaran. Board your air-conditioned vessel and settle into your seat as you set out for a journey through the Whitsundays. Based on the weather and water conditions at the time of your visit, your knowledgeable skipper will plot the best course to showcase all the islands have to offer. You will pass iconic resorts and stunning natural scenery, as well as the fringe reefs found around some of the region’s 74 islands. Sip on a complimentary fruit punch while listening to your knowledgeable crew point out historic sites, secluded inlets and impressive rock formations. Keep watch for local wildlife sightings as you learn more about the history and heritage of the islands.
We boarded our catamaran directly from Viking Sky and set sail on a very cloudy, windy, and overcast day, with intermittent showers. It wasn’t the best day for a scenic sail, but we sat back and enjoyed the ride. We were on the water for two hours and passed by many of the islands, most of which were uninhabited.
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| Pristine Islands and the Hamilton Island Yacht Club |
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| More Islands |
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| Our Catamaran Sealink, A Map of Our Route, and Viking Sky |
Dinner tonight featured a Vietnamese Station, which I enjoyed, but I failed to get any photos.
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