Island time
It’s inevitable when you work in aviation that aircraft will have mechanical issues and delays will occur. Most airline pilots will find themselves stuck in a noisy terminal waiting for the engineers to work their magic.
Where I work it’s a little more exciting than that! We had a five hour delay on Horn Island earlier this week and here’s what we did to fill in time.
First off we wandered down to the jetty to have a look around. Luckily for us the ferry had just arrived from nearby Thursday Island, which is the administrative centre of the Torres Strait.
The ever smiling Captain Daniel invited us aboard. Who could say no!
Not only did he welcome us aboard, but he then proceeded to give me a run down on operating the boat!
Once we landed at Thursday Island we wandered along the waterfront and up to the Quetta Memorial Church, which was built to honour the 134 lives lost when the Quetta foundered on an uncharted rock in the Torres Strait in 1890.
From there it was a leisurely stroll around the block and back to the jetty for the trip back to Horn Island.
So next time you’re stuck in an airport spare a thought for regional Australia where the delays may be a whole lot longer, but at least the scenery is spectacular!
PS. I took the photos on my ancient iPhone so the colours are very true to life 
14 Responses to “Island time”
Comment from Cath Evans
Time August 29, 2012 at 10:13 am
Wow… nice place to have a delay! And excellent that you got some boat-time too
Cath
Comment from Cathy Howat
Time August 30, 2012 at 6:31 am
Nice place to be delayed, what was the problem?
Comment from Sandy
Time August 30, 2012 at 10:42 am
Another beautiful day in paradise – I guess someone’s got to do it.
Comment from Jo
Time August 31, 2012 at 11:24 am
Lovely part of the world, Helene – lucky you for flying it every day!
Comment from Helene
Time September 2, 2012 at 9:04 pm
And having that break down on Horn seemed to throw my world off kilter… Back now
Gillian, Dubia would still have been fascinating!!! I’ve yet to make it to the Middle East but it’s on my to do list!
Comment from Helene
Time September 2, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Cathy, the boat time was a bonus! I think I may need a few more lessons before I could go solo though
Comment from Helene
Time September 2, 2012 at 9:05 pm
Yep, Sandy, I forced myself to cooperate! One of the Cabin Crew had a delay on Hamilton Island the day before so she’d seen the two extremes of Island life
Comment from Helene
Time September 2, 2012 at 9:05 pm
I’m very spoiled, Jo, but with the boat one step closer to reality I’m starting to get a little excited!!
Comment from Margaret Lynette Sharp
Time September 3, 2012 at 5:31 pm
A wonderful way to spend time! Lucky you!
Comment from brenda
Time September 3, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Looks delightful Helene:) Very envious!
Comment from Helene
Time September 3, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Margaret, it was a lovely way to spend the afternoon but I did feel for all our passengers that were monumentally delayed…
Brenda, you would have loved it!!
Comment from Robyn
Time September 4, 2012 at 10:12 pm
Helene, I read your Burning Lies book, while working in The Torres Strait, it is ana mazing part of this country? I love it! I really enjoyed your book, and passed it on to a friend.
From another North Queenslander!
Comment from Helene
Time September 5, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Robyn, you live in paradise!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed Burning Lies enough to share it with a friend. I love being able to share a tiny part of the world I work in every day
Comment from Gillian
Time August 29, 2012 at 8:52 am
I recently had a six hour delay in Dubai and I can tell you that the scenery was nothing as beautiful as you have shown!