Our first day on the reef was spent aboard the Big Fury. An incredibly fast boat that rocketed us out to the reef where we all jumped overboard to investigate life in the sea. Unfortunately the weather, although warm was bit overcast and windy making conditions a little difficult to swim in. Add to that the fear my children have of being eaten by a shark and being left at sea it became a quick dip for the kids. They were all very happy to be plucked out of the water and taken by dingy back to the boat. I was very pleased that a loving random grandma was on board and was more than happy to take the kids back to the boat and get them dressed and dry. Chris and I then snorkelled around the reef without fear of losing a kid (although it would have many financial benefits). After boarding the boat we were taken to the beautiful Whitehaven beach for lunch and a bit of beach cricket. After lunch we were back on the Big Fury for a lap around Hamilton Island and back to the coast. On our way back we were treated to an amazing display of acrobatics by a young whale. Unfortunately it was too far away to really appreciate but wonderful all the same.
After Chris’ bargaining and barraging we had managed to score a pretty good deal to spend 3 days on Long Island (they were happy to pretend Taj didn’t exist, can you believe that?). Although the deal was the best we could manage we were a little disappointed not to be going to Daydream Island which is more commonly accepted as the family island. We just couldn’t ignore the $600 difference in price between the 2 islands (all Taj’s fault) and then again all meals were included at Long Island. Our ferry dropped off at Daydream first where we noticed the palms blowing sideways in the 20 knot winds. Twenty minutes further on we disembarked at Long Island into a small protected cove where the wind seemed non-existent (first major win over Daydream). As we wandered up the jetty towards our awaiting cart Ry screamed something indecipherable and started to hyperventilate. As I ran back to him I realised that he was in a state of ecstasy. He had just spotted his first green sea turtle, a sight that made all of us gush every time we saw it over the next three days.
The kids had never been to a resort before but boy they adapted pretty quickly, ordering mocktails at the swim up bar, ordering lunch to be delivered to them poolside, spending an hour at the breakfast table so that their food would go down therefore giving them more room for 2nds, 3rds and 4ths. We were, as I said earlier, in a state of perfection. Long Island offered three beautiful meals to each of us every day (another big win over Daydream). There’s no doubt we all put weight on over the week. The kids had the freedom to wander around, play minigolf or tennis, kayak out to the ocean, go fishing, go bushwalking, it was just amazing. We didn’t consider enrolling them in kids club for even a minute. Oh and the joy of getting out of the caravan and into a queen size bed was the icing on the cake. 
As I think of all the amazing things we saw and did on Long Island I realise that I couldn’t possibly write them all down, I’d end up writing a novel. The entire time we had to pinch ourselves, but none-more-so than when the kids were fishing and a mother humpback and her calf passed right in front of them, amazing. Or perhaps it was the 15 different species of fish that we caught. No I think it was the beautiful snakes that lay sunning themselves. Spotting reef sharks and rays from our kayaks. Then there was Craig the passionate environmentalist who took us out for a walk to the back beach and took us to feed the bat fish. Craig also found himself taking Taj everywhere because every time he had to drive the cart somewhere Taj would jump on board. Or perhaps it was the wild water sports that we indulged in with Colin the crazy water sport bloke! I’m still rubbing my aching lats from holding on during a raft towing session where I’m sure Colin was trying to throw me off (if anyone had a long range camera I’m sure It would have made a great photo, bulging biceps and gritted teeth). He referred to me as an iron woman when we got back to shore but I think it would have been more accurate to label me stubborn wench, there was no way I was letting go, triangle bikinis never survive high impact landings and there was no way I was swimming to shore nude!
Overall it was a completely amazing place, an experience not to be missed. To do justice in its description is impossible. It must be seen to be believed. For example at dinner one night Tamsyn said “Mum I feel like I’m a princess I can’t believe I’m eating like this”. As we left the boat and headed back to the van Chris said “That was disappointing.” I couldn’t understand what on earth he was saying, there was nothing disappointing about Long Island. I threw him my usual “what on earth are you talking about?” glare. He added “oh no sorry, I meant it was very disappointing to have to leave”.
Never mind, another adventure awaits. Townsville here we come!
Love and miss you all, Kristy.
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