At the end of July, I went on a 2-day sailing and diving-trip to the Whitsundays, 74 Island Wonders located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef on the tropical coast of Queensland, Australia. Me and my family boarded the Catamaran “Wings II” in piqturesque Airlie Beach, excited to float on the turquoise water with  Whitsunday Sailing Adventure.

 

Wings II had an amazing crew that took us around the islands, stopping at great diving and snorkel spots. It was surreal to sail through the epic landscape, and on top of that, see the world beneath us as well. Since 70% of the world is covered in waterm there’s quite a lot to see down there.

I  hadn’t been scuba diving since January last year (when I got my Open Water certificate in Bali) so I was eager to get into the water! We had a great instructor, Jake, very easygoing, calm, passionate and professional so I could feel safe and sound with all the eqipment again.

To get to dive and snorkel at The Great Barrier Reef has been a dream since early school days. I remember reading about UNESCO’s natural wonders of the world: The Great Barrier Reef is one of them – the world’s largest reef system! It’s so big it can be seen from outer space!

The diving was epic and I could feel my whole being smiling – it’s so wonderful to cruise through the water, listen to the breath, watching the beauty harnessed in the underwaterworld: MAGICAL!

 

 

 

More than 1,500 fish species live on the reef, and one of them is our little friend Nemo, also known as the clownfish.

 

The underwater photos  are taken by Jake, the amazing dive master at Wings.

The second day we sailed to the wellknown Whitehaven Beach. All I can say is: Postcard view! Such amazing clear turquoise water and the finest and whitest sand I’ve ever seen. WELCOME TO P A R A D I S E

 

 

 

 

As always when I experience wonders of nature like this – something happens inside. Weird and odd… I just freak out of happiness, blown away by the energy, yet struck by the peace it brings my soul. The whole register of contradictions flows through as I’m breathtaken. I’m crying, smiling, singing, running around FEELING the space with every cell of my body. Whether I’m snowboarding from the top of a mountain through epic backcountry-landscape, or sitting on the whitest beach in the world… it’s bliss. My heart smiles and my soul is at rest when I’m surrounded by grande nature…

the seashells were so fragile and intricate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The reason why the sand is so white, is because the grains have rested here for millennia. As tides turned and seasons changed the elements stripped impurities from the grains until there was only brilliant white silica left…

The 2 days with Wings II were a once-in-a-lifetime-experience, thanks to the amazing captain, the dive master, the chef, the beautiful weather and the 21 other adventurers on board. I’m so grateful for this trip. Thank you Mom and J for making it happen sooner than never.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you ever take the opportunity to travel to Australia, make sure to visit the Whitsundays. It’ll be a beautiful memory for lifetimes.

 

love and light

Seaturtle