This morning we were up early to pack up the Clippers and our bags to head off shore. We were collected out the front of the lodge and taken to the wharf and taken on a boat for an hour's to Bremer Island, just north of Nhulunbuy. We are staying at the Banu Banu Eco Resort, which has limited and exclusive accommodation on the island. After being welcomed to the island by the hosts, we sat and enjoyed the view from the resort balcony, while we waited for the rooms to be ready. We had a short stroll along the beach below, until we could go to our rooms. The rooms are a canvas like glamping unit, with an ensuite attached. We have a king size bed and views to die for. They are just back from the sand of the beach, and we can lie and listen to the waves, or sit and watch them. Unfortunately, cyclone Narelle did damage the accommodation earlier in the year, and they have had trouble getting the tradies and new equipment across to the island to repair it. So our room has the top over-awning canvas missing.
I had a nano nap before lunch, and we headed up to the resort for a lunch, and Matt enjoyed a slow cooked roo in red wine and smashed potatoes for lunch. I just sampled the potatoes. Yum! We returned to our rooms for a lie down, until we were taken out in the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) for a bumpy and speedy tour around the island. Meredith has nicknamed Fulvio the ATV driver / host 'Fangio' as is was not a relaxed tour - one speed, obviously not to get bogged in the sand but it took us by surprise a bit! There is an Indigenous community on the other side, and they own the rest of the island beyond the resort. we were able to spy some Brolgas, who danced for us, which was awesome to watch.
After we returned, we headed to the beach and went for a paddle on the kayaks. I didn't want to go out too far, but as much as I enjoyed the gentle waves, I did develop motion sickness, and had to return to the beach. Matt had joined me, but then he went and had a try at snorkelling. But there was too much coral and waves, that affected his vision and safety. it went from 2 metres deep to half a metre very quickly and you didnt see the coral until it was right infront of you. so a bit dangerous with the swell being up today and the overcast conditions this arvo. try again tomorrow when the suns out
We had the most awesome sunset from the resort deck, with drinks before we enjoyed a yummy dinner. I had a potato foam with bacon, while Matt had a roo lasagne, and hazelnut and fresh mint icecreams for dessert.Our hosts Fulvio and Eileen have been fantastic and so accommodating. The 8 of us are the only guests on the island and we feel like we are getting the royal treatment. Looking forward to another day here tomorrow.
