Mairi + Daniel – 24th September

First of all my phone went overboard 😢. I am using an old phone, I have no photos. So let’s have a moment of silence for my stupidity and loss of all my new friends numbers haha.

I have photos from Mairi! Thanks Mairi!

My next announcement is if you’re in Jafaland on the 10th October and you are interested in Bark Europa (the t

all ship we took to Antarctica). It is docking for the day and welcoming visitors on board.

Our awesome friends Mairi & Daniel are here. They were on a working holiday in Aotearoa when we came across them in Haast. Luckily our paths crossed and we all became fast friends. They have been here in Australia on a working holiday for the past 9 months and now they are here visiting us. It has been a couple of years since we caught up in Dunedin but it is like we were together yesterday.

Day 1, a couple of cute Scottish backpackers jumped off an early morning bus and into our arms. We wanted to get a few more jobs done before heading out but whats the point we will just do it when we get back. They are only here for short time so its time to make the most out of each day. It was around lunchtime when we left the marina and headed to Tongue Bay.

The wind is non existent, we motored all the way. They both had a turn at steering Acacia Spray. Mairi had never been snorkeling before so we introduce her at Dumbell Island. I enjoy being there as it was my first snorkeling in the Whitsundays. This time I could see as I had contact lenses haha.

Day 2, A fantastic start with sunrise and swim at Hill Inlet. I took Mairi and Daniel in on the dinghy and Rowan stayed behind and organised breakfast. It was a beautiful sunrise (sorry no photos). After breakfast we wasted no time getting to False Nara. We had a plan set for a lunchtime meet up with Lala and Kanu. Mairi spotted a dolphin on our way. With Daniel’s help we swapped outboard motors on the dinghy. Rowan found one on Facebook in near new condition and the wonderful Clint picked it up from Yepoon and brought it up to us. The new motor is much better. Rowan is a happy boy.

Here comes Monkey Island (Lalas boat). We jumped into the water for a snorkel. Mairi tried out the new paddle board and loved it. I spotted some coral trout but no one speared them. They did get a bunch of fish with the spearguns. A heap of beautiful fresh fish for dinner.

If you want to follow Lala, she is on tiktok as Lalasboatlife

Day 3, Happy Birthday Mairi!

The useless Daniel mentioned to me its Mairi’s Birthday tomorrow while we were doing the dishes. So with no real plan or idea how to make a birthday cake at sea I had a brainwave to use the huge watermelon. Rowan cleverly came up with the candle and number to make with the skin. Here you go watermelon birthday cake.

We did about 4 hours of snorkeling this morning before we said goodbye to Lala and Kanu in the afternoon. We headed into Nara for dinner with Steve and Linda. Rowan cooked the meal and we took it over to their boat Synergy. It was a lovely meal on their boat. Their floating home is a lot more spacious than ours. We are their first guest for dinner on anchor. It was a lot of fun and I am sure we will do it again. We gave Mairi a pretty good birthday and I am sure she won’t forget this one.

Cheeky Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

Day 4, two cheeky birds visited us this morning. I took Mairi & Daniel to the cave and we had a swim on the way back. When we got back I confirmed that I had in fact lost my phone overboard. I think it happened when I was starting the dinghy. The water is very murky in Nara with a muddy bottom so the chances of finding it a very slim. We sailed back to Airlie. Finally we got the pretty white things up and actually had wind to be able to sail. Mairi was captain most of the way. She did a great job. The rain was getting us but we were in high spirits as we got to watch Humpback Whales. The baby kept breaching. Rowan couldn’t be bothered cooking so we went out for Gelato and pizza. Mairi and Daniels shout. We all had a pretty awesome adventure.