Ahoy, sailor!

The Whitsunday Islands - I spent our first full day on these islands in the most appropriate way - on a sailboat. The water here is as clear as the Carribean if not quite as warm, but the scenery is much prettier, and most of the islands are national parks, so there's virtually no development. We spotted two humpback whales - a mother and her calf - on the way to Whitehaven beach this morning.


Our ride: the retired 80-foot racing maxi Ragamuffin, a champion in her day.

Afraid the sharks wouldget me? This water is home to the deadliest jellyfish in the world. Only one guy on our tour got stung. (That's Whitsunday Island - the biggie - in the background.)