On the 24th June Noëlle & I celebrated our 11th Wedding Anniversary. A few weeks before I called Noëlle from work, said I had a few ideas for our celebrations and asked if she wanted a surprise or wanted to input on the plans. She agreed that we would talk about if evening, but that she didn't really want to go on a boat anywhere. Fast forward to 22nd June, with a public holiday the next day, I had already booked our anniversary off work in order to make a long weekend of it. With no further ideas from Noëlle, I used spent my 20 minute lunch break on the phone organising a getaway to Hamilton Island - I know, she said no boats, but really, when you live in an area with over 72 islands to explore and winter temperatures better than an English Summer, really it had to be done ...
I will say, it wasn't the idea of an island that Noëlle was against, she just gets pretty sea sick, but first ride to the island actually went fine, if a little choppy.
I had decided to have a little more privacy on the island and opted for a bungalow/cabin rather than a hotel room - we both agreed that this was the perfect choice for us.
We got to explore the marina and have some great fish and chips, and rather than being bothered by pigeons for our left overs it was cockatoos and parrots who wanted some of the action!
After tiring ourselves out exploring the developed part of the island by foot, and with Balin asleep, there was some hammock time for us :D
Our second day involved a much longer boat ride out to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, where we spent the day at Hardy Reef on Reefworld, a permanent anchored dive platform with underwater viewing chamber, sun decks, and even a small amount of accommodation if you want to spend the extra $s.
So it was time to get on the scuba gear and do some real exploring. (A big thanks to Beth for getting our new underwater camera to us from the States)
I love the everything about being underwater.
Some time ago, Noëlle & I decided that we would try and cut back on luggage on trips, so now don't take our own wetsuits if we don't have to, the result on this particular trip was a particularly fetching look for Noëlle complete with pink stinger suit and dive shorty ...
... yeh, you can pull even this look off Noëlle ;p
At least she was easy to find underwater :)
Balin had a great time, making use of the free child care so Noëlle and I could go out together for a while, as well as getting to ride a semi-submersible to hunt down Nemo.
The winter water temperatures were a little off putting for him, but he had a great time running around the decks, pointing at the fish and trying to feed himself to a 3 metre Groper!
Balin continues to get an early start at everything, we will soon have him fully enjoying all the great reefs we have to explore in this part of the world.
All that energy needs some down time though too.
Breakfast with the Koalas was a fun experience, and Balin thought these bears were much more interesting than his bears at home.
Balin is also convinced that everything that we do or have is for him too, so he is already working on his photography skills, especially when he saw this snake at breakfast too.
No I haven't taken up the devils game (golf), but this is the only independent transport on the island and gave us a family adventure.
It also gave us the chance to ride to the top of the island for both sunrise and sunset (that's right I continue to get us up early even on holiday)
Of course there was pool time too, though even I found this unheated pool a little on the chilly side, but Balin is a tough kid, we have bred him that way.
With glorious beaches to explore around the island and plenty of sand for Balin to eat ...
... as well as lots of fun games to play, Balin was full of giggles.
Again, anything we can do, so can he ...
Our final day I woke up extra early to do a candy gram for Noëlle (Thanks to Brittney for reminding me of this idea), before we headed up to see our final sunrise over the island.
Amongst our final days adventures Balin also tested his spider-man skills ...
... and made it to the top of his first wall.
We all had a great time, plenty of adventure with a decent amount of relaxation mixed in. With another 71 islands to explore Noëlle may have to put up with quite a few more boat rides while we live in this area :D
I also have to say that the customer service experience we received on every part of the weekend was the best we have had since moving to Australia, and the attention and facilities provided to Balin made it even better - This really was incredibly family friendly, even with a very young child, I would highly recommend Hamilton Island to those who think that holidaying with a young child is hard, this place made it so easy!
10 comments:
Hip Hip Hooray! Congratulations!! Love you guys.
You'll have to let me know the next time you're off to the Hamilton Islands, I can get you into the Wildlife Park there for free. The company I work for took them over at the beginning of the year. (Did you go to it? What did you think?)
ha ha its funny you still get your family up early on holidays but struggle on a Sunday? Where do your loyalties lie..
I get my family up early pretty much everyday, and we are late for pretty much everything regardless ;p
Whoever made the anonymous comment, should I be offended by this remark??
If you knew us, you'd know that our priorities are in the right place, thanks... But as Coop said, we're usually late never mind how early we're up! ;p
BTW, who are you, please?? Thank you... :D
Ha hs guys relax its Kim. Comment was made in a completely light hearted way, im always late too. The only reason we get to church on time is because jess is there hurting me up lol. Don't blame balin for not wanting to get in the Hamilton island swimming pool they are very icy this time of year! Good you guys are getting out there and exploring the region, there is alot to see.
#Hurrying me up lol!
Oh, Kim, thank heavens it was just you, kidding us! I thought someone was truly having a go, from the branch! (As it's Coop's blog and he doesn't know anyone that well, it seemed a little strange...) As you and I were saying last week, we're both usually late places, so that makes more sense for the comment!
And I'm glad Jess isn't 'hurting' you up to get to church! ;p
So great!1 Somehow, I hadn't seen this post before, so it is quite a treat to catch-up on. And thanks for the shout-out; anything I can do for you guys anytime, I will!! Love you all!!
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