Airlie Beach

This morning we awoke early again and were surprised by the strong winds that greeted us as we opened the balcony door. A quick check of our weather app confirmed high wind warnings for the area in effect all day.

We ate a pleasant breakfast in the dining room and then wandered the boat as we awaited our turn to board a tender to take us ashore. 

Unsurprisingly, an announcement was made that the life boats ordinarily used to tender passengers were unfit for the task today due to the winds.  Fortunately, water taxis had also been secured to transport passengers to Airlie Beach, so we were able to take these larger catamarans.

We killed a little bit of time at the International Café (oddly juxtaposed by the casino). 

Looking at all the tasty things. 

Bryan tried one. 

We glanced at the various options for sale to hold your medallion while you cruise. We have been borrowing my parents’ bands which hold it on like a watch, and that has been convenient. The medallion is your room key, your ID to get on and off the ship, as well as the way you check in for reservations and pay for products on the ship. 

We were among the first to board the boat ashore, and sat for quite awhile as they waited for it to fill. Eventually it did become full, and just before departure, a family including a tall boy who had special needs came up the stairs looking for a place to sit. Bryan motioned them to take our places and the mother appeared quite relieved and thanked us repeatedly. 

The boy had his arms up by his ears and appeared to be processing the sensory experience of the wind and the boat differently than those around him. His mother spoke to soothe him, and encouraged his father to wrap his arm around him and apply some pressure. A moment or two later, Bryan encouraged me to approach the mother and tell her what I do, since I have always been curious about how neurodivergent individuals face the challenges of traveling. 

I gathered my courage and stepped up to the mother. “How old is your son?” I asked. She gestured in question past her nuerotypical son standing next to her to the boy sitting beside his father where I had been sitting a few moments before. I nodded, confirming that was the son I was interested in. “Fifteen.” she answered. I asked a few questions about how often he travels and what he enjoys, and went on to explain that I work with children on the autism spectrum and have always been curious how people overcome the challenges of travel. I also mentioned having a brother with special needs and how we did not travel much with him growing up because of how challenging it can be. 

She and her son brightened and seemed really to enjoy talking to me about how their family helps him to travel. I encouraged them, telling them how happy it made me to see him out getting to have these experiences. It was a really meaningful exchange and left all of us a bit better for having shared. It is such a privilege and a gift to work with the people I do. God has created me with this purpose in mind, and I truly delight in it. 

I pray that Karen, Luke, and his father have a great cruise and that Joshua does too. That he would know how loved he is, and enjoy not only swimming, but even new experiences with his family this week. 

I have often mentioned to Bryan that I would love to assist families in traveling with their loved ones who are on the autism spectrum. I think it would be so special to help families make those memories together. Maybe someday. 

But today, Bryan and I wished this family well, and went ashore for a nice long walk along the water. 

I laughed out loud when I saw this sign. The struggle is real, folks. Glad to know I’m not alone. The weather was beautiful and breezy. 

The beach walk was wonderful. 

There were a mix of paved walkways, boardwalks, brick paths, and so forth. 

I saw this playground and thought Desmond would like it with those BIG slides. 

There was a lagoon for public swimming. 

It exists primarily because swimming in the waters here is dangerous because of stinging jellyfish. 

We shamelessly took selfies (how American!). 

Everything was very picturesque.

The town seemed to welcome us back, as the first cruise ship to dock here in two years. 

I saw a placard indicating that I might spot turtles from the boardwalk, coming up to the surface for air in the water. 

While I did not see any turtles, I saw the most blooms I have seen thus far on our trip.

I snapped photos of those as we went along, and sent a few to my aunt Jackie (who loves to photograph flowers). 

I even saw some butterflies landing among the blossoms. 

When we came across a rocky bit of shore, I was curious if there would be crabs beneath the rocks like there are in the Puget sound. 

I walked down onto the beach and flipped over a rock. Nothing but shells. Lots of bits of shells. 

I had seen on the map that there were botanical gardens along the path. I insisted that Bryan help me find them. We walked all the way until the sidewalk ended with a “no trespassing, private property” sign. No Gardens. 

On the way back we found a large grassy patch with a plaque. I teased Bryan that I was glad we didn’t miss it. It was underwhelming to say the least. 😂

 

For lunch I had a hot Thai soup with shrimp in it, and Hohi (fish) Over bok choy, red beans, rice pilaf, and tasty sauce.  

Since we weren’t sure what time we would be back, we neglected to order my meal ahead. Because of this, they had no lactose free dessert prepared for me. So we made our way to the International Café and I enjoyed a lactose free hot chocolate instead. 

After some blogging and resting in our state room, Bryan walked up to the grill to get us some street tacos. I chuckled when I saw that they had come out with fries as a side. We had also ordered chips with guacamole and drinks the room service, so we were all set to enjoy the balcony as we waited to get back underway. 

While most of the Australians we spoke to chose to skip going ashore today, we had a wonderful time at our first stop. All told, we walked about 4 miles while ashore.  

We are having a great, relaxing time!