Остров Херон, райский уголок зеленого континета Heron Island, a piece of paradise on the green continent

Heron Island is a magnificent corner created by nature and not completely spoiled by civilization, giving an unforgettable romantic getaway and only positive emotions. And so about everything in order!
You can get to the island from the city of Gladstone by a comfortable boat (about 2 hours), enjoying the soothing swaying on the waves (for those who do not suffer from seasickness) and watching colorful films with information about the island, or by helicopter (about 30 minutes), observing the beauty barrier reef from a bird's eye view.
And then a piece of land appears on the horizon, surrounded by white sand and densely planted with greenery, caressed by the incredible turquoise color by the soft waves of the ocean. With every minute of approaching the island, and from the first steps on it, you finally understand that paradise exists on Earth and it is here!

Upon arrival, you are greeted by English-speaking friendly staff, kindly present a map of the island with a marked house number, and then, with a question in your eyes and some bewilderment, you wait for the key to that very house, but as it turns out, it is not provided...
And here it is a long-awaited vacation in the “relaxation” style: without Moscow traffic jams, rush, high-rise buildings, dissatisfied people, gray everyday life, bad news, mobile communications, TV, only flora, fauna, soft sand, warm ocean waters, bright sun, starry sky , moon, incredibly diverse underwater world and YOU among all this splendor!
Night. Incessant trills of birds (sometimes not very melodic).
Dawn. Breakfast. Morning coffee... enjoying the aroma of freshly ground grains of an invigorating drink, you “swim out” from the hotel restaurant to the slope, from where you can see a bewitching view, look down to the shore and... a fin pierced the turquoise surface of the water... one more... there is no limit to delight, sharks, those very dangerous fish, here they are next to the shore... forgetting everything, you rush to the house for a camera - the first impressions are received !! ! Having caught your breath, you wander to the beach, the sun roasts from all sides to a red crust, therefore, choosing a corner with a shadow, you indulge in sweet dreams.
Evening. The tide. Looking at the water is breathtaking, the night life begins there… everything is teeming with sharks, stingrays, huge schools of fish… You run along the shore with childish delight and a camera in your hands, overcoming the feeling of fear, trying to take exclusive shots…

Night. The beginning of the mystery of nature (November to March)… In the light of the stars and the full moon, walking on the white sand that has warmed up during the day, hand in hand with a loved one, you become a witness to a breathtaking picture… huge green sea turtles crawl out of the ocean to the shore, looking for a place burrow into the sand and lay eggs - this is the beginning of a new life! These creatures are afraid of light and flashes, but it is not possible to return to their homeland without a photo with a turtle... at six in the morning, almost waking up, somehow washing your face, forgetting to comb your hair, you rush to where the turtles return to their element, and here already without noise and you pose for dust against the background of crawling individuals. Those who are especially patient and happy manage to see an even more unique picture, leading to crazy delight - the birth of turtles and their run into the ocean... When, forgetting everything, you sit on the beach at night, trying to find the answer to the question why in this place there are a massive accumulation of birds and sharks ( appearing out of nowhere, as soon as you approach the water)... nature tells you the answer! Turning towards the place where the turtle was, it takes one’s breath away... a lot of absolutely defenseless little turtles appear from the sand, quickly flipping through flippers and hurrying deep into the ocean, unfortunately, only a few survive, there are too many dangers lurking on the way from the first seconds of life!
Watching this divine picture in my head, the thought begins to beat like hammers: “What callous we have become, mired in everyday worries and problems, having forgotten how to sincerely enjoy life, having lost our childish spontaneity, and in an instant all forgotten feelings returned! How good!!! ”
The start of a new day. Stretching sweetly in bed, having received a gentle morning kiss, you are preparing for a new portion of impressions that are very close in the still unexplored waters of the ocean. What is there, in the turquoise depths, among the many kilometers of the Great Barrier Reef - the only living organism visible from space?!
Having decided on the choice of a swimsuit, having made a more or less decent hairstyle, for some reason having made up cilia, armed with a mask, fins and a snorkel hitherto incomprehensible to me, you rush to the pier, and there a snow-white boat is already waiting with professional divers walking importantly on it and modestly crouching on the bench by snorkelers. You take a step - and here you are in this honest company.
Once again, to overcome the speech barrier, you strain your brain, warmed up by the unforgiving morning sun, compare familiar words with the facial expressions and gestures of the instructor and understand that riding turtles is not recommended, waving your arms and crying out for help is necessary if stingrays are sailing around and with a hungry about twenty sharks are circling in sight, but the most desired gesture for everyone is a raised fist, which means everything is OK!
Having made regular photos of the island from afar, in order to finally finish off the camera's memory with valuable shots, you are preparing for the swim. Pulling on the fins, remembering the old grandfather's way to prevent fogging of the mask, you are going to spit on the glass and grind, and then rinse, as you are reminded that technology has stepped far forward...

So, full equipment, one step and... stunningly beautiful corals, fish of all colors and sizes, huge turtles lurking at the bottom, important sharks quietly, peacefully swimming (fortunately past) (adrenaline rolls over in the water with these crumbs). Breathing becomes gradually even, a feeling of calmness and bliss sets in! It is impossible to stop admiring all this splendor of the underwater world!
Horn! It's time to return to the boat, eyes glow with happiness, emotions overwhelm, you start to chatter and excitedly tell who you managed to see!
And on the shore in a restaurant overlooking the ocean, pickling is already waiting: a variety of appetizers, insanely delicious barramundi fish fillet, tender lamb, culinary delights from the chef, dizzying desserts! Forgetting about the figure, you arrange a "holiday of the stomach. "
After enjoying lunch, without wasting a minute, you put yourself in order after sea diving and rush to the second part of the planned entertainment program for the day!

Back on the boat and... fishing!! ! While you breathe in the purest sea air, exposing your face to the refreshing wind, a well-coordinated team of fishing instructors arranges spinning rods and prepares bait. First stop in half an hour! Having received valuable instructions from professionals and a treat for marine inhabitants, you cast spinning in anticipation of good luck... which does not make you languish in a long wait and here is the first fish, clicks the camera shutter, new prey - new photos! Since the fish do not pass the casting in order to get to dinner, each returns to the blue abyss of the ocean. But, what is fishing without a can of cool local beer? ! When moving to another fishing place, it is possible to mark the catch, even if it is released. And so the stop... everything to tackle, the excitement grows, I want to catch the biggest fish, when suddenly... bite... hooking... eyes shine, palms sweat, spinning bends in an arc, there is not enough strength to wind the fishing line on the reel, you cry for help from experienced fighters, trying to hold tackle, you feel the struggle of incredible strength, it is obvious that someone was hooked, but who ? ! Squeals, screams, delight, the camera is at the ready… well, at least with one eye, at least for a second to see that same sea creature, but, alas, … only spinning is left in the hands, with a fishing line without other accessories. But the experienced eye of the locals cannot be deceived, and after the message that it was someone other than a shark, with an undisguised sense of pride and puppy enthusiasm, you continue to participate in the exciting process. At the end of the fishing, having managed to catch a big fish, having received information that it is not edible and its place in the water, after another photo session, you return to the marvelous island in the presence of slight fatigue, explosive emotions, with a jar of refreshing malt drink...
Alas, all good things tend to end... Vacation is coming to an end! Farewell evening… on the ocean shore, under the bright light of a distant moon, the uninterrupted trills of birds, in the arms of a loved one – what else is needed for happiness…?!
The suitcases are packed. . . The boat is at the pier. . . The seats are occupied. . . The program is completed to the maximum. . . The eyes become wet, a tear rolls down the cheek - a tear of light sadness and happiness, a tear of hopes and expectations that have come true. . . emotions are overwhelming, souvenirs are purchased. . . the camera memory is full. . . Goodbye, paradise green continent!
P. S. Visit the wonderful island as soon as possible!
Walk on the grass, hug the trees, talk to the birds, just don't leave the trash!! !