Airlie Beach

In my quest to book a sail boat to the Great Barrier Reef, I contacted a travel agent that I found on-line.  After a couple of questions and a few minutes she said, "I have the perfect boat for you!"  She started describing a boat called the Solway Lass that she said was full of partying young people. Although she didn't say it what she was describing sounded like a booze cruise. I had to stop her as she was gushing about how they play party games in the evenings to tell her that I was looking for something more...relaxing, quiet...older, introverted, whatever.  Solway Lass sounded like it would be my own personal nightmare.  At any rate I ended up booking a boat called the Whitsunday Magic.  Its one of the Australian tall ships and its supposed to be very nice.  Pray for me - I hope it is because I am on it for 3 days and 3 nights.  It leaves from Shute Harbor at Airlie Beach tomorrow so I'm off to Airlie Beach.  Check out the website:  http://www.whitsundaymagic.com/

I've arrived in Airlie Beach by ferry.  Airlie Beach is a dicey little 1-street town that caters really to backpackers full of the kind of places that College kids like - tattoo parlors, hair braiding, bars selling cheap beer, and shops selling beach towels and sunscreen.  It sort of reminds me of certain sections of Ocean City or Myrtle Beach. 

I was orignally booked into a cheap dive motel by the same travel agent who has unfailingly misjudged me - clearly she doesn't seem to cater to my demographic.  I opened the motel room door, turned around and left.  I have ended up at the Coral Sea Resort which I booked myself.  I think I do better handling my own arrangements.  It's not posh but it's clean and comfortable. I'm off to check out the beach...