Sunday 27 August, 2006 – 17:31 by Innforapenny
LIZARD ISLAND
We arrived at Lizard Island 50nm north of Cooktown. Its the loveliest island on the Barrier Reef that I have ever seen.The water is a perfect temperature, its various shades of turquoise with beautiful sand and is surrounded by reefs full of huge fish which are in abundance.Unfortunately we are not permitted to go fishing.
We walked to the top of the island, Its 360m above sea level, It was not an easy walk, very steep in places. It took 21/2hours but once we reached the top the view was spectacular. There is a resort on the NE end which we can’t see from the anchorage. Its discreetly built into the natural surroundings. Yachties are not welcome at the resort but we are tolerated to use the staff bar from 5 to 8pm. There are about 20 boats here and everybody who wishes gathers on the beach for sundowners with their tipple and some nibblies.Its all very civilised. There are no shops, no newspapers, no radio or TV. I think i have found paradise and could stay here for ever.I know we are going to some lovely places but I think i will be hard pushed to find anything that matches the beauty of Lizard Island.’And now here is Peters history lesson for the day….We are moored in Watson Bay so named after Mrs Watson who lived here in 1880 – Her and her husband used to collect sea slugs for the chinese market. One day while she was left on her own on the island the local aborigines ambushed her, killing her chinese servant. She escaped from the island in one of the cooking pots they used for the slugs, but perished of thirst before they could be rescued!! Here endeth todays lesson!!
