A new day in paradise. After breakfast and laps in the great 25m x 13m infinity pool and a jog by Paul, we took out one of the dingys and a picnic lunch to a beach further down the island. There is a newish, substantial jetty there – Yanks Jetty. Apparently the Americans used the area in WW2. A jetty they had built was replaced by this one. There was a bit of a chop around the jetty and we did a few runs around it working out the best way to approach and then we managed to secure our boat. Onto the sand, a bit of an explore and then time to see what the kitchen had packed for us. The esky held individual bento boxes with smoked salmon, mini chicken wraps tied up with black and white string, cheeses and biscuits, sliced fruits, nuts and dried fruit, chocolate brownie and muesli slice! Wow! Then there were the plates, cutlery, linen serviettes, tablecloth, other cooler bag with wine, water, glasses. Definitely time to lie and read in the shade of a tree before a swim on our own beach. We decided around 3 it was time to head back. After putting everything back in the boat, Paul tried to start it. He tried and tried and tried. It was like the whipper snipper at home, non responsive. We waited awhile and then tried again. Nothing. So we had to crack out the emergency phone they had included and ring for help. The cavalry arrived – David and Ash in a high speed boat. David got into our boat, didn’t change anything, gave it 2 mighty pulls and it started! They did say the motor was a bit iffy at times. We all laughed and we set off for home. When we came ashore here, half the population ie 6 plus miscellaneous staff were around and all gave us a laugh.
Our deserted beach and our picnic lunch
A sunset cruise had been organised so not a lot of spare time before that. We and another couple had taken boats out, another couple had been dropped off at a deserted island, so it had only left 4 here for lunch. Whilst we had been out, the helicopter had brought in 6 new people, so now we had 16, 12 of whom came on the cruise. Callum and Billy took the big boat out with drinks and cheese and biscuits and we motored with the sun setting – rather beautiful and got to meet our new residents – another older couple, the man growing up in our suburb and 2 younger couples, one American.
Another fabulous dinner – followed by feeding of the resident reef sharks around the jetty. They get some of the seafood scraps, otherwise the many chickens get the rest. They try on the island to be as self sufficient as possible.
Yet another day here. There was a snorkeling trip on again, so 12 of us went today. Tegan and Callum took us to the north of the island and then across to a deserted island – Pelorus. The water was calmer and we could snorkel wherever we wanted within a certain area. The tide was low so there was not a lot of water over the coral which meant we saw it up close. This was a better site than 2 days ago. The variety of coral and the colours was very good. Paul and I especially liked the many bright blue clams in the rocks. There were not many big fish, but schools and schools of small fish of all colours. The water temperature was what I called warm, Callum said 25, but Tegan said was getting cool and that we must be southerners if we thought it warm. We did have short wetsuits on that helped you stay in the water for 45mins without getting cold. Then back to base, a swim in the pool for Paul and me followed by lunch. Lunches are a tapas style, based on a different country each day. Today was Aussie, Sunday was Thai. Don’t know what yesterday was.
6 guests left on the helicopter after lunch – we had got to know them, it was like saying goodbye to friends. No-one got off the helicopter, so it is just 5 tables of 2 for dinner tonight.
Our last full day. Breakfast looking out to sea. We were going to go for a kayak to the beach around the headland but decided that as the tide was dropping maybe that would be better later in the afternoon. So…..some reading, a swim in the pool doing laps…. Another great lunch and then the kayak trip. We took a double and paddled on flat water around the headland and along a small bay with mangroves. There was a gap in them and we paddled into this tranquil area, not wide but long, with the mangroves and their roots creating artistic tangles everywhere. Back out and around the next corner and we had our own beach. The water was warm and so still – what a place to swim. Time to paddle back and it was only 10 mins taking the direct route. In to shore to have someone take the kayak and deal with everything. Will make it hard next time we take our kayaks out and have to do everything ourselves.
Kayak to another deserted beach
Another dinner – our last. A beautiful half moon shining over the water eating superb food, served by staff who stop to chat, a bandicoot running over the floor, under a table and out into the garden, just 6 tables – so special.
Our last day at Orpheus but unlike most places that say you have to be out of your room by 10 or 11, here they just asked that we be packed by 1pm, have our lunch and the helicopter would drop in at 2.30 for us. There was another organised snorkel for the morning and we decided to do it. Only 6 of us went and this one was taken by Ash (driver) and David (snorkel guide), also the ones who came to our aid when we couldn’t start the boat. There was a wind, so they took us back to Fantome Island, where we had snorkeled the first time. It has been so good how they have chosen the snorkel site depending on the conditions. We swam further south this time and the tide was lower, so everything was so much closer. David let us snorkel within an area, so we could spread a bit and linger when we wanted to. It was spectacular. The fish – schools of all sorts and colours. Both Paul and I sighted about 20 fish, bottom half white and top half chequerboard. David didn’t know what they were and later the fish charts on the boat didn’t seem to have the fish. Glad we both saw them. The coral was also amazing, the colours really varied and quite bright. There was a lot of plate coral but in very different layers and patterns, with the soft corals swaying from them. A great site.
Back on land and we finished packing and headed to lunch, this time an Indonesian tapas. Once again beautifully presented and yummy. Paul was just finishing his coffee as we watched our helicopter fly across the beach. No rush, say goodbye, wander to where it landed with some staff, more goodbyes… There were 4 new guests getting off. One of the young staff, Billy, was also coming back with us as he was leaving to return to Melbourne. It was nice to see the pilot was Jackie, who had brought us over on Saturday. We sat in the front with her again and she flew us low over the beach as staff and guests waved, then took us over several of the Palm Island Group, including 2 small islands that the Army used in WW2 to practice bombing! Flying into Townsville we flew up the meandering river – like a muddy delta – a couple of small fishing boats also meandering through it. Jackie said it was good crocodile country and I can see why. She landed us above the big H circle on the runway and then we hovered back to their hanger – a strange sensation but a fun one. She was straight off to Magnetic Island to pick some people up so another pilot put us in the mini bus and drove us to our car which we had left in the long term carpark at the airport.
We were back on the mainland and getting ready for the next part of the trip. Back to the hotel to check in again, retrieve our suitcases we had left there and repack. Once again the hotel had the Cowboys wandering around, in their special room they seem to have, being given massages, bonding …… So much pampering! Wasted on us as we don’t recognise anyone.
Below are the 4 courses on Tuesday night.
Jottings & Blottings 