We have arrived............

Yes, after sixteen days, 1450nm (2700km) steaming, and many adventures, we arrived this morning in beautiful Port Douglas.

Sea birds at Yorkey's Knob

The day began magnificently, with cloudless cerulean skies and the comforting warmth that FNQ provides so well.

We had a magnificent run up from Yorkey's Knob. The sea was calm and the (light) wind was behind us. The coastline between Cairns and Port Douglas is very pretty, with a large mountain range not far from the water.

Sea-Dog and Captain Bligh check the channel into Port Douglas

After so many long days, it was kind of strange to be stopping before lunch. Going into Dickson Inlet at Port Douglas, a restrained hush fell over us all as we each realised what we had achieved. For Sea-Dog, this was the culmination of twenty years of dreams. For Captain Bligh it was the end of yet another successful boat delivery. For me it was something to cross off my bucket list, for I have long wanted to go on a journey such as this.

And we did it well. Endless Summer performed almost perfectly, with only very minor issues that we had to sort out. Mostly it was also a very comfortable trip. The ocean managed to put us out of our comfort zone a few times, but not at any stage did I feel that we were in mortal peril.

 We have spent the rest of the day relaxing in the sun, and chasing up some issues with the raw water strainers and the battery charger. But now is not the time to be discussing such arcane matters.

Beneath the palms at Nautilus - Image by Navman

Sea-Dog took Captain Bligh and I to dinner at the Nautilus, a very fine restaurant in Port Douglas.

Here we dined on delicious tuna tataki, whole coral trout and tropical fruit sorbets. It was a wonderful celebration of a fantastic trip.

I can think of no finer way to celebrate the occasion.

As I write this I am sitting quietly in the dark on the rear deck of Endless Summer. The marina is still and there are few sounds except for a recording of  jazz piano playing on a boat somewhere.

We have arrived. I have arrived.

Bonne Nuit,

Navman