A Week in Airlie
08 August 2009 | Airlie Beach
Elizabeth
We had so much we wanted to do in Airlie that we decided to go onto the marina. We were already booked in for the 7th and 8th August so we chanced getting a berth earlier. We were lucky as Race Week is coming up and there are lots of yachts preparing for the big event.
We love Airlie Beach, the constant stream of happy backpackers who contribute to the economy and the feeling of excitement as well as the laid back lifestyle. We met a number of people that had come to Airlie years ago for a holiday and were still here either driving taxis or landscape gardening. It is so easy to meet people, you just sit down with a beer and say "G'day".
The week went quickly and we threw ourselves into the sights, the bars ( Magnum was one of Peter's favourites), the restaurants.....Shipwrecked, Cactus Jack where they serve the best frozen Margaritas.
We hired a car for a few days and explored the surrounding suburbs and towns.......Prosperpine ( 10 pubs in the main street and a fabulous shop called Colour Me Crazy with the best jewellery and unusual fashions), Cannonvale, Shute Harbour and Jubilee Pocket where we visited our property which I had never seen before.
Once again, Peter couldn't resist the urge to check out the real estate market. We saw some incredible homes and apartments, some of which were originally $ 1.7 million and were now selling for $950000 (Interesting)
We caught up with old friends from Phlat Chat and Windvane and met new sailors, Tom and Nancy from Bloodhound and Ian and Sharon from Kickback. The interchange of experiences is always interesting and a lot of fun!
A big highlight was the Saturday local markets at the beach where you could find fresh produce, clothing, jewellery, local bric-a-brac and plants. We were able to pick up a few fresh products to take on board in preparation for our visitors from Long Beach California, Cam and Katie, who will be arriving tomorrow. We are looking forward to showing them the Whitsunday Islands. Let's hope that the winds and seas die down!!!!