AUSTRALIA - HAYMAN ISLAND,
GREAT BARRIER REEF
... An experience at one of the leading resorts in
the world
If your planning a trip to Australia, a visit to the Great Barrier
Reef is a must for your travel plans. And if you are sufficiently
flush, I highly recommend a visit to Hayman Island, one of the
leading resorts of the world.
My friend and I traveled from Detroit to Los Angles and then nonstop
to Sydney. Of course, for a 20 hour flight such as this, we avoided
the cattle car and elected to fly first class. After a particularly
fabulous meal of Trois Petites Crevettes, followed by Rio Bravo
Quail Soup and Chateaubriand with sautéed mushrooms along with a few
glasses of Pinot Noir, I felt the need to stretch my legs.
I ventured off to walk the length of the 747. As I walked past
Business Class and through the curtains into the cattle car, I was
stunned by the haggard looks that 16 hours of cramped conditions
offered back from its sea of occupants. At that moment, I was glad
to have made the decision to leave my ice cream sundae dessert
behind. From the glares I received as I ventured through the curtain
and into the assemblage of poignant smell, I was pegged as an
outsider. Carrying an ice cream sundae would have slammed a nail in
that coffin for sure.
Trust me, DO NOT fly coach class to Australia, or for that matter,
do not fly coach class to anywhere in Asia from the States.
We spent a few days in Sydney and hung our hats in the Presidential
Suite at the Ritz Carlton. It was a wonderful place. Every morning,
I took joy in the delivery of my breakfast by an absolutely gorgeous
Australian boy. Trey deluxe for sure ... and, fun too <smile>.
After a few days, we boarded Ansett Airlines (a national airline of
Australia which I think has since gone bankrupt) and flew to
Hamilton Island. Hamilton Island is on the Great Barrier Reef and is
a common launching point to your final destination. For us, that
destination was the exclusive island of Hayman.
Prior to our leaving Sydney, we had been in contact with the resort
on Hayman Island to notify them of our arrival information. So,
after we debarked the airplane from Sydney, resort staff was there
to greet us and escort us to their 110 foot yacht for the couple
hour voyage over to Hayman Island. The only way to arrive on Hayman
Island is via the water. The resort does not allow air traffic to
the island because "the sounds of aircraft may disturb our guest's
relaxation". Ah yes, I like that mindset!
And, what a voyage it was. The yacht was sleek and was very well
appointed. There were a few other resort guests on the yacht as
well, but not many. The most beautiful woman that had ever graced my
eyes served us champagne as we registered for our stay and had a
personal tour of the bridge by the captain. The voyage traversed us
between multiple islands that dotted the area. It was a stunningly
clear sunny day.
We were looking forward to our stay at the resort. We had heard
stories about the resort and the anticipation of the experience was
half the fun of the voyage. We were taking particular delight in the
fact that the only thing on this tropical island was the resort. The
resort owned the entire island. In fact, day trippers (people who
travel to destinations for only sightseeing) were not allowed on the
island at all. In order to gain access to the island, you must be a
guest of the resort itself. After a few days of being among throngs
of tourists, it was sure to offer a pleasant escape. [NEXT
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