The life I know, Part Two.

Part Two: Arrival at Hayman Island

At 0630, the alarm goes off. Wait, what?! Am I really waking up to an alarm? Aren't I on vacation somewhere?! haha! Yes, it's true. I get up and go to work, just like majority of the people in the world :). It's good though, I am a housekeeper for the Hayman Island Resort! It's a wonderful thing, to live and work right on the Great Barrier Reef....even if it does mean a person must scrub a toilet or brush the tile gout. For starters, Hayman Island in the northern most island of the Whitsunday Islands, located off the coast of Queensland in the Great Barrier Reef. There is a staff village for all staff members, which is separate from the main resort. However, since they are remodeling some of their rooms....there is no extra room in the staff village because the construction workers are utilizing the rooms. What does this mean for us? It means we get to stay in the resort for yet another week! I mean....a girl is quite happy when she gets to trade mopping the floor or dusting the shades in exchange for a room in the five star resort! I must say, waking up to the sunrise, or watching the sunset from my room is quite amazing. Although, I must admit that I more often see the sunset then the sunrise. (The extent of my sunrise watching is when I open my eyes a couple times to see the sun coming up....then rolling over to sleep again. haha.) So here goes.....life on an island, always something new :)

Aerial View credit of the Hayman Island Resort website. http://www.hayman.com.au

The four of us pleased to be heading out to Hayman Island. Here we are on the ferry getting ready to go! Surprise, we were treated as guests because we were going to be staying in the resort rooms instead of the Staff Village. Of course, much to our delight!

Hayman Island Resort from the ferry. 

And must I say much more......our room was poolside!

Oh my gosh, it's beautiful! These words have come out of my mouth so many times, I don't know if I could recall the number :) I mean, common on....don't you agree?! This was the first night on the island. Brianna and I took a brief walk up to Whitsunday Lookout and this was one of the views along the way.

Whitsunday Lookout. Notice the textured part vs. the blue part. This textured part is part of the Reef! Cool Eh? 

Looking down on the poolside of the resort. 

The staff beach.

Brianna....mastering the slackline!

Simply gorgeous, plus this may be the best spot to slackline!

And yet another view, looking towards the resort!

The view looking towards the staff beach. Don't you just love the water?! It's so beautiful! The beach you see is the end of the guest beach.

The view going up toward Whitsunday Lookout again! A storm was coming in and it looks as though it might have been threatening, but it really wasn't bad at all!

Aren't the trees just great. Perhaps they are a bit like Dr. Seuss trees (or one type anyway).

Bambs! Hiker buddy and roomie :)

Oh, I love this! Majority of the storm bypassed Hayman.

Success! We still got to see the sunset....which is why we went hiking in the first place. :)

Here is the beautimous setting sun!

A look a the resort on the way down!

So here we are, hiking over the island to the other side, where we are going to snorkel! This is day number five (Sunday) on the island and besides the spit of rain that we had, we have not had another drop since. It's only a couple K to Blue Pearl Bay, our destination! We were okay that it was the weekend after working two days, we already needed a break :). J/k, but it did feel good to get some more exploring done, because there is just stuff to see and when your working you can't go see amazing things! Along the hike, we were continually amazed at the ocean and it's blueness! I have wondered a few times, "Is this reality?!" :) It's so awesome - the people I work with, my travel companions, the island scene, the adventure of it all, and feeling quite fortunate for this opportunity!

A type of palm tree, I believe.

Xerox, sniping pics of the amazing scenery!

Bear with me, cause I just have to show you! I look at these pictures and I am amazed by it all...and then I look out the window and there it is again! :) 

Blue Pearl Bay - the snorkeling destination!

Blue Pearl Bay is a coral beach! Remnants of coral are everywhere in every shape and size!

I am not sure what this is exactly, but it was on a tree and I thought it looked neat! 

Snorkel gear!

A view of the coral! 

Another view of the bay! 

Snorkeling was a hoot and more! :) This was my first time and I can't wait to go again, but next time with an underwater camera. Some people saw turtles, but I never did. What I did see was a tons of multi-colored fish! They were amazing :) I was giddy with such an experience and felt even more lucky because staff members get a discount on the snorkel gear. As you can see in some of the above pictures, is the boats. This is a destination spot for tour boats, where they take people out scuba diving and snorkeling! It was simply an experience that words really can't describe. I do know.....I was a ecstatic to have such and experience!

Another view of the resort! If anyone wants to come visit, feel free to stay here!

The view from the Whitsunday Lookout! Isn't it crazy how much one place could look different each time you see it! Because of the sunny day, the water was exceptionally blue/green! Gorgeous :)

Xerox loving the view!

This is all I have for now folks! I apologize that I have kept you hanging in suspense for a bit, but now you get two blog posts to read and that will keep you entertained for the next little while! I hope you are well and may your Christmas season be merry and bright! Cheers :)