Day 22 Airlie Beach
We woke this morning to the sound of the ship’s anchor chain going out as we dropped anchor in the waters off Airlie Beach.
Jeanette had a Zoom meeting at 10am so we didn’t manage to get off the ship till around 11am. Cunard had hired a couple of large ferries to shuttle the passengers to and from the ship so our trip ashore was very comfortable.
You could see when we landed that a lot of money is being spent on real estate development here.
As we explored the town, it became apparent this is very much a town catering to the younger crowd. There were numerous bars with large open areas pumping out modern music and there were lots of young backpackers arriving and departing.The place was teaming with people.
Jeanette managed to find a few dress shops so she was in her happy space.
We walked from one end of the town then back again, then we checked out the waterfront.
Jeanette liked this sculpture.
Finally we made it back to the dock where disaster struck. No beautiful ferry to carry us back to the boat, rather there was a ship’s life boat. We were packed in like sardines. There was no leg room, the heat was stifling, there was no air flow and it was supposed to be a 30 minute trip to our ship.
We hung on desperately in the sauna-like conditions, wishing the 30 minutes away. However, after the 30 minutes had passed we hadn’t arrived but rather we were going around in circles and the our boat was bobbing around like a cork. The ship’s landing dock was blocked by a large ferry. And after it departed, a large Police boat took its place to evacuate one of the passengers.
We were now at the 45minute mark of a supposedly 30 minute trip and the lifeboat passengers were showing signs of cracking. A lady in the front of the boat announced she was going to be sick. The people jammed in around her suggested it might be a good idea if she stood up which she did. That got them out of the firing line but she was now standing directly behind me!
I was debating whether to offer her my hat to use as a sick bag as the lesser of two evils when the ship’s crew member got her moved up to the open side door. The lifeboat crew then decided to open two front hatches and finally some air started to flow into the boat. Our clothes were literally drenched with perspiration by this time.
Finally, at around the 50 minute mark, we made it on board. It took us the rest of the evening to cool down to our normal temperature.
Hardys’ Travels 