Gypsy Cruising

14^th July

Hamilton Island to Cid Harbour

Hammo gave us a great evening last night.  As forecast, the wind blew and continued to blow through to this morning.  Our marina reservation was good through to 11am, but the prospect of even getting out of the pen in the prevailing 25-30 knot winds didn't really appeal.  I expected them to drop by early afternoon, so the best thing is to extend our stay by a few hours and have a relaxed morning around the island.

Gypsy Princess in the Hammo marina

Harbourside on Hamilton Island - golf buggies replace cars on the island

I have three things in mind – (1) visit the big new IGA store to top up our perishable food supplies, (2) catch the shuttle bus up to the top of One Tree Hill for some sightseeing and (3) most importantly, get myself another mango smoothie.  The shuttle bus also gave us a tour of the island, including the areas around the staff quarters.  Some of these are absolutely tiny.  I hope there are staff R&R facilities available because you’d go crazy if all you had was a bed and somewhere to stand up in.

A panorama from the top of One Tree Hill by Anne
To the left is Whitsunday Is, to the right is the resort

David (holding my smoothie) and Anne, with the Whitsunday Passage extending northwards

Davis and Anne showing off the passage we'd come through in lighter winds yesterday

Another shot of the Whitsunday Passage

Catseye Bay and part of Hamilton Island resort

By around 1pm the wind inside the harbour had come down to a gentle breeze and exiting the marina pen became simple.  Our overnight destination was Cid Harbour, where the rest of the Club boats were holed up.  We had a brisk wind behind us, at around 20 knots, for the short trip.  Cid Harbour is one of the best natural anchorages in the entire area and, once inside its shelter, it was a virtual calm.  We made it in time for afternoon tea (ie, no alcohol!) on Galadriel.

Me, at the wheel, as we leave the marina

Dusk at anchor in Cid Harbour