Day Four - Whitehaven Beach, I mean Whiteheaven.
Thursday, August 30, 2012 at 9:13PM I believe that life comes in waves & peaks. Sometimes it feels like ease and joy are blanketing us in abundance, and other times, we have to reach deep to find our peace, smiles and happiness. Sometimes, when life is going well....so well....I can't help but worry when the next 'wave' will come. What's going to go wrong? Surely I can't be so lucky to have all this....and then not be punished afterwards, or at least experience something crappy to bring me back down to earth. I know this is a false way of thinking, but coming from someone who's experienced the highs of life, and the lows, I can't help but be apprehensive of the present....and the future.
Also, to be honest, sometimes, on this blog, and in my life, I feel like I need to follow up every positive with a negative. Just so I don't offend or upset, or mislead. Sometimes I worry so much about adding a disclaimer that I forget to bask in the actual joy of a moment. Or I bask in it....but then feel guilty, like I'm gloating or baosting or making someone feel low.
But tonight.....I'm taking all this good, all this joy and seeping it for everything it's worth. I'm feeling grateful and accepting and hey, hell....I want to boast & share & scream to the world....that today was fricken amazing! It was so blissfully perfect that I don't even have a disclaimer or a negative to squeeze in to soften the blow..... Every minute of it was good. So here goes:
After a slow happy morning of buffet breakfasts, coffee and sea breezes, I took Ella down to the pool while Ryder napped upstairs by Chris's side. He napped for TWO HOURS! This never happens. He's not named the '30minute bandit' for nothing :)
After more coffee, and a relax...... a helicopter picked us up. Yes a helicopter, a real one....
And took us soaring. On top of the world.
The view was more than breathtaking. It was surreal. Like I was watching a movie or dreaming.....
It's weird. I hate flying. With all my might. It terrifies me.
But today, in that tiny little helicopter, although scared at first..... I felt ok. Maybe it was my inner voice inside me telling me to sucker up....coz with adventure & dreams & bucket lists & beauty....sometimes comes pain and facing fears. But with that view, and my family by my side....I felt fairly safe. I felt like I could take on the world....literally. I was happy.
There was too many inspiring sights to distract me from my crashing & dying fears.
These Whitsunday Islands truly are breathtaking. So much untouched beauty. The best way to unwind.
Simon, our pilot; told us we were going to land.
So, onto Whitehaven Beach we slowly descended.
You know those white sandy beaches & crisp aqua shores you see in the travel brochures and on Getaway? Yeah?! We landed there.
The sun had a warm bite to it, the beach was deserted - all ours, the weather so amazingly perfect. The kids were calm and happy. A smooth energy & excitement buzzed through me.
Hey, as I said: Perfection!!
This is church to me. My family + peace + beach = religion!
Today I felt whole, and good. I felt close to God, or Mother Nature, or something.....something that's bigger than me. Something more significant. I felt content. Content beyond explanation.
I guess this helped:
The pilot provided us with not only an amazing picnic lunch and beach tent, but some champers too. No disclaimer here....no negative. I can't think of one bad bit. It was all magic. All of it.
Ryder ate many handfuls of sand. He thought this Island rocked too. He's such a happy little man...now that he's well again. Truly, he was all smiles the whole time we were there. He's a beach lover.....just like his Mumma and Dadda. He thrives on adventure and experiences. He goes with the flow. No kidding....he has not sooked, cried or been 'hard work' at all this holiday.
We decided that Simon, possibly has the BEST job in the world. After flying us over some of the world's most awe-inspiring views, he then got to spend 2 hours laying in a hammock amongst trees on the shoreline of the pristine beach of Whitehaven, while he waited for us to enjoy time as a family.
And we did.
We were secluded and free. We swam, and ate & drank champagne. We whisked a giggling baby through the clear waters of the Coral Sea and absorbed every ounce. We were present and in the moment, like never before.
Yeah, Ella had a minor meltdown, and sulked in the tent for ten minutes because she was battling her own fears of water, and getting her face wet and the unknown of the deep. But we talked her off the edge, made her feel safe, and moved on. We all have fears & weaknesses. We're working on hers with her. {see there's a little negative. haa}
Life is good. And I'm enjoying it while it lasts....
{excuse the chipped nail polish. I'm a little daggy like that!}
Ryder fell asleep on my lap, in the noisy helicopter on the 15minute flight back. Yes, the 'sleepless boy', has napped everywhere & anywhere this week. He's been amazing. I was ever so slightly hesitant about how he was going to cope this week. But, he's been the easiest and low-maintenance of us all I think :)))
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We had an early dinner at Coco Chu tonight. A new, modern, funky restaurant, along the shoreline.
Oh wow. Possibly some of the best food we've ever eaten. Ever.
Each bite was like a party of flavours. Tantalising and aromatic. I definitely recommend you dine here, if you stay here.
What a day!
I'm exhausted. In a good way!
We're off to bed soon. I wonder what tomorrow will bring?!
Until then.... I'll leave you with tonight's cocktail...... a mango & coconut Margarita! Very VERY good!
G'Night x
Reader Comments (4)
Claire you are sooo beautiful! I LOVE the shorter hair! And you have the most gorgeous family xx
Such sensational photos and stories, what a magical place - I've loved the past few days seeing your adventures pop up in my feed.
LOL... I'm exactly the same with flying... not the slightest bit impressed with fixed wing aircraft but I have spent a lot of time in helicopters in the past and love them so much. Amazing views BTW.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday, will tune in tomorrow for day 5.
Night x
Loving the photos and your vivid description of your fun filled days on Hamilton Island xxx
Claire I'm so glad you did this!! It is really amazing isn't it - Whitehaven beach really is heaven on earth and your so right about it being religion. We are so ready for a big dose of that family time. Fantastic posts - only you could write as marvellous as that. Never feel guilty.
I can't tell you how happy I am for you that you're having such a blast on this holiday and that all is going smoothly with Ryder and Ella and napping etc. for you. I understand you feeling 'guilty' about posting so much positive stuff but don't ever feel that way. As you say, life has ups and downs, we all know that and so you should bask in the happiness that all the positive times bring as much as you can, that is what gives you the strength to get through the downs, knowing more 'ups' will be just around the corner.
Your words and the way you express yourself always captivate me, along with your stunning photos! What a view - surely that has to be the best beach in the world?! And to be able to enjoy its privacy with just your little family = perfection. Must be all that fresh air helping Ryder sleep so well.... you guys might have to stay on Hamilton Island permanently :)