5/22 - After a quick trip to the drive-thru liquor store, we hit the highway for Arlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. Our first stop was the tiny town of Bowen to see one of Australia’s giant roadside attractions, the Big Mango. We’d also heard that Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman were here filming the epic period piece, "Australia." We parked the van in the center of the quaint little town and joined a crowd of tourists watching several frantic crew members running around trying to placate hundreds of confused cattle. Nicole was there, mounted on horseback in a long sleeve rancher’s shirt, wide-brimmed hat and riding pants, seemingly melting in the hot sun. We were also melting, and bored, so we got back in the van and headed towards the mango. The large orange blob was perched on the side of the higway, representing Bowen’s thriving fruit and vegetable center. We made some sandwiches, cut up some lime for our Coronas, and crossed the road to the beach for a picnic in the sand.
That afternoon we pulled into Arlie Beach and headed to the Island Gateway Caravan Park. We set up our camp chairs and walked into town to Peter Pan Travel where we heard Internet was free of charge. We’d decided earlier that day that we would save time and money by skipping the multi day sailing trip, but after fifteen minutes with the aggressive travel guy, we were signed on and out $350. We headed to the Southern Cross office to check in for three days and two nights on Boomerang, a maxi sailing yacht, departing the following morning. After renting snorkeling stinger suits, another $30, we shuffled back to the park feeling slightly defeated and a little anxious—we were going to be stuck on a boat with 26 strangers and the weather was calling for rain. We decided to cheer ourselves up with a BBQ and cold beer. The camp kitchen was abuzz with rowdy travelers wrestling for grill space. Alcohol was flowing and the delicious aroma of grilled meats filled the air. We feasted on snags (that’s Aussie for hot dogs), corn on the cob, grilled onion, potatoes and the doughiest grocery store buns. Despite burning four of my fingers on the grill and spending the evening with my hand dipped in ice, it was a fabulous meal.
That afternoon we pulled into Arlie Beach and headed to the Island Gateway Caravan Park. We set up our camp chairs and walked into town to Peter Pan Travel where we heard Internet was free of charge. We’d decided earlier that day that we would save time and money by skipping the multi day sailing trip, but after fifteen minutes with the aggressive travel guy, we were signed on and out $350. We headed to the Southern Cross office to check in for three days and two nights on Boomerang, a maxi sailing yacht, departing the following morning. After renting snorkeling stinger suits, another $30, we shuffled back to the park feeling slightly defeated and a little anxious—we were going to be stuck on a boat with 26 strangers and the weather was calling for rain. We decided to cheer ourselves up with a BBQ and cold beer. The camp kitchen was abuzz with rowdy travelers wrestling for grill space. Alcohol was flowing and the delicious aroma of grilled meats filled the air. We feasted on snags (that’s Aussie for hot dogs), corn on the cob, grilled onion, potatoes and the doughiest grocery store buns. Despite burning four of my fingers on the grill and spending the evening with my hand dipped in ice, it was a fabulous meal.
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