Photo Gallery - July 2005
Pictures can be clicked to see a large
version of the image.
Another
taste of paradise in the Louisiade Archipelego.
One
of three little islets at the anchorage at Bobo Eina Island in the Louisiades.
An
eagle with meal in talons coming in to land in its nest.
The
dinghy is anchored just off the steep-to beach while Jonah and Kate explore the
little islands.
The
Queen Jane anchored off Bobo Eina Island.
Jonah
showing off his Lego battering ram vehicle.
Talk
about paradise - it doesn't get any better then this. Anchored in 15ft of clear
blue water off a deserted, sandy beach, great snorkeling and tons of fish.
Looking
South from the anchorage at the Duchateau Islands (the one furthest West - there
are three of them). This anchorage makes a perfect 'jumping off" point for
passage to Australia. It is only 500 miles to Cairns, Australia from this spot.
Another
view of the water between the QJ and the beach. The dark patches visible in the
photo are patches of coral heads or "bommies" as they are known in the
Pacific.
Jonah
playing in the shallows. This is one of the best swimming beaches in the
Louisiades (based on what we saw) and efinately the nicest we've seen since the
Marshall Islands.
The
wide expanse of deep, powdery sand is almost too deep to walk in.
Kate
on the beach (self-portrait).
LAND
HO! After 3 days we finally had Australia in sight. In fact, we had 8 hours to
go to reach the harbor of Cairns.
As
we approached closer to land we began to see evidence of life, like this ship on
its way to sea.
Next,
just at sunset while we were eating dinner in the cockpit (pasta) we spotted
this submarine heading for sea.
Since
the water inside the Great Barrier Reef is between 25-90ft deep, I suspect the
sub cannot submerge till it gets to sea. Only the second time we have seen a
submarine (both times they were leaving port - the other was November, 01
in San Diego).
Downtown
Cairns from the anchorage. We arrived off the city at about 8pm the night before
and anchored among the other sailing boats.
The
Pier complex including the hotel. The marina is just in front of the hotel
(sailboat masts can be seen to the left).
The
small boat anchorage sits just off the marina complex at the mouth of the
Trinity River.
About
to enter the marina, we spotted the mega-super-yacht "White Rabbit"
moored to the outside wall.
One
of the many tour boats which operate out of Cairns. They leave in the morning at
about 8:30am and spend the day on the Great Barrier Reef returning in the late
afternoon at about 5pm.
One
of the smaller but faster tour boats. Time to the reef from Cairns could be from
1 to 3 hours depending on how fast the boat goes and where on the reef you are
heading.
The
entrance to the marina basin is through the gap in the cement breakwaters.
Waiting
for us as we enter the gap is Australian Customs. They were on the dock as we
tied up the lines.
One
of several sailing cats which operate as tour boats. You can really see how they
pack them in.
Guro,
at right, and her son Hakon. They are from Norway and are on the S/V "Marialena".
Kate
and Guro.
Once
again, at center, the "White Rabbit" though this time tied up on the
inner wall. At right and left are two other slightly-less-super-then-"White
Rabbit" super-yachts.
Steinar,
Guro's husband, relaxes in the saloon before dinner. We had speghetti and
Meatballs.
Jonah
demonstrating various computer games to the two kids from "Marialena".
Katie
wearing her sweater (or "jumper" as they say here in Australia) on the
way to the boatyard for haulout.
The
big 160ton lift at Norship Marine. Note the large vessel at the left of the
photo - an Australian Customs ship which was lifted by this monster.
The
Queen Jane up in the air again.
The
Customs boat again, from our position on the hardstand for the next few weeks.
The
English sailing vessel "Cosmic Girl" getting a paint job for her
bottom. Matt is sailing around the world the "wrong" way (ie.
West to East) and is heading for Hawaii via Fiji and Tahiti. Good luck Matt!
