The airfield
Landing
Guillaume ready for aerial figures
The biplane takes off
Wategos Beach
All the group during the surf lesson
Yes, I can surf...
|
We go to the airfield, and GuillaumeL is the first to skydive. He is attached to an instructor, and also accompanied by a cameraman. We watch him get ready, receive instructions and climb aboard a small plane. As we wait for his landing, we watch videos of other jumps, which accurately show the spectacular view from 4500 meters high, and the pleasure which the newbies have. His landing is perfect, and he quickly tells us his feat before going for a beer and to watch his video. In the meantime, Guillaume and Damien go, followed by Max. The whole crew is exstatic once the jumps are over. We then go have lunch in town and enjoy Wategos Beach, which is on the north side of Cape Byron. The view from a hill is impressive: the bay is dazzled by the sun hitting calm waters, from which stick out the silhouettes of surfers and swimmers. The wind is also strong and lifts a thin layer of sand, giving the beach a hazy look. At sunset, Damien flies his kite, and Max takes over but is carried off north such is the power of the wind. We then return to the camp with pizzas, as Gisele and her boyfriend will pay us a visit. We set up a nice place with lit torches near the tents and have a quick dinner. The day starts early to prepare our second dive in the marine park of Julian Rocks. Going out to the site is easier, so the skipper races there. Once in the fresh water, we see the visibility is somewhat better, although the water is still full of plancton. Small schools of medium sized fish circle the reef: they are species specific to Australia as I do not know them. We go through a cave filled with nearly transparent cardinal fish and go on until we see a superb wobeggong shark, still on the ground. I get closer to within a meter to see its peculiar head with a sort of beard to help its camouflage. He moves a little every time my flash sets off, then I leave him and continue a dive very rich in animal diversity, enjoyable although we were afraid our novice dive master would be too stressed as he had a hard time starting the day. We then hurry back to the airfield, as some aerial figures aboard a 1940 biplane are scheduled. Because of strong winds, the pilot prefers to cancel, so we go back in town for a big brunch, then sleep on the beach in the sun. The rest of the programme is exciting: we all go for a surf lesson. After stretching on the beach and a demo, we head out trying to get used to the balance and the intermediary position. The feeling is already good, the toughest being simply to pass the waves to go back and wait for one. Our instructor then shows us how to get up and shows us in the water. It is our turn, and I am happy to make it the first time, although it takes me a while to do it again twice since I must get used to riding the wave, avoid bringing the front down, and get up faster. I see Guillaume riding like a champion: he gets up faster, which lets him enjoy a longer ride. All the clichés and movie images inhabit us and the feeling is undeniably enjoyable. We take a rest: the water is fresh, the current makes us drift north and the struggle against the waves is exhausting. The second time round, the move is more confident, but we get in each other's way. I surf three times, and see Guillaume and Max do a high five on top of the same wave. The last two waves are as many successes for me: I end by riding all the way to the beach. Everyone is tired but happy, and Guillaume already knows what is next: he agrees with the pilot for a flight as soon as we are ready. We get the digital pictures from the dive club: the group photos is fun as the girl asked us to imitate a rodeo ride, and the surf pictures are good too. My diving ones however are disappointing ad the plancton took out the light from my flash. We go to the airfield, and Quentin, Guillaume, GuillaumeL and Damien take turns in the biplane. The pilot communicates with them and the control tower through the helmet, takes off and then takes each of them for loopings, dead leaf drops and other figures before circling the lighthouse. The sun is setting - I will probably come back here on the way to the Great Barrier Reef. We decide to camp on the airfield and cook a good barbecue.
|
OzNY01 