For quite a while now Deckhand Chaney and I have been eagerly awaiting our excursion to Splendour in the Grass and now it had arrived. We could think of no better transition from the relative isolation of the boating life than running around large fields and bush listening to incredibly loud music with a casual 20,000 others all dressed in ridiculous clothes. It was to be a senses stimulation like no other.
‘Splendour’ is an annual music, arts, hippie and alternative culture festival is held in the hinterlands of Byron Bay just north of Yelgun. It offers a chance for all who are game to go and ‘express themselves’ while appreciating good music in the bush (unofficial description yet essentially accurate). It’s great. So on the the 23rd of July with our excitement hats on and our party attire pressed we departed the captain and Le Vessel en route to gain enlightenment at Splendour.
Upon the eventual arrival at our house we were happily greeted by the 9 fellow pilgrims from Sydney who would be sharing with, all friends and all equally ready for the stimulating journey. As the festival begun on the friday Friday (25th) we had one full day of preparation. As intelligent youth, we spent this day constructively discussing the best tactics for smuggling in our alcohol, how many ‘babes’ will be there and how quickly we can run from band to band while cramming in food and toilet stops. Military level planning. However not exactly done in the military style of planning, as in true class it revolved around a extended drinking game, awesome, day well spent.
Now as this was a 3 day festival and I am avoiding writing these posts in a chronological recount as it puts me to sleep, let alone you, I will simply outline the lessons we gathered collectively throughout the festival. Here goes:
1. Running up hills, eating a cheese kransky and drinking a sprite is tough. No matter how good the band is, do not put your body through extreme physical anguish in order to possibly get a few feet closer. Enjoy your meal safely, then pretend you’ve lost your friends at the front of the crowd and push, nicely.
2. Act weird. The more eccentric you or your outfit is the more festival respect you seem to achieve. Deckhand Chaney had this one well sorted. You can never get too many high fives and the ‘babes’ love it.
3. Get in to it. This one is more serious and can be extended to real life. Sitting on the hill sipping a cider and nodding your head is fine and you will be relatively comfortable, being in the thick of it will give you possible bruises, guaranteed new friends and solid memories, your choice.
4. Cleanliness is relative. Personal hygiene is important yet your overall cleanliness can take a hit for a few days in the spirit of enjoyment. Use the communal bathrooms and have a good acid bath when you get home.
5. Dancing is an art. To be good it takes years of dedication and in most cases a overbearing parent, however at a music festival who really cares. Throw your arms around, hip thrust, wiggle, jump, pump and roll like your joints are too loose to be controlled. Enthusiasm is key and everyone around you wants to act just the same so start the trend. N.B. Only apply this to dance music; during a relaxed band just internalise it and release at the next opportunity.
All in all it was an incredible time. Sharing it with 9 good friends made it all the more memorable and the 19,991 others were an element that makes it all the more amazing. Enlightened and catatonically tired, we piled in to our friends time machine and were transported through the intergalactic Pacific Hwy to Sydney (over a quick 10hrs) for a lot of sleep and reunions with friends and family.
Running parallel to this journey, Captain Watson was being enlightened himself as he cruised the Whitsundays and leisurely enjoyed the peace and quiet gained from the removal of two irritants. **These events are a recount from the captain as I was not there, however I am retelling what happened to the best of my knowledge**.
Moving on from Mackay the captain had gained a new deckhand, going by the name of Clarke Kent, and was bound for the Whitsundays. Departing Mackay they were blissfully motoring past Goldsmith Reef when they were beckoned by mermaids to join them for a swim. After discovering the lost world of Atlantis and becoming joint kings of the rediscovered world, Captain Watson and Deckhand Kent knew they simply couldn’t stay and escaped to Shaw Island for the first night. After waking up to a triple rainbow, they moved on to the paradise of Hamilton Island. Exploring for two days they managed to meet George Clooney and get invited to his wedding anniversary, rescue 5 sea turtles from a overly vicious great white shark and star in an internationally renowned barber shop quartet performing at the Yacht club. Overwhelmed with excitement the two un willingly had a deadline to meet at after being given keys to the island, set off for Airlie Beach. Taking a detour via the incredible Whitehaven Beach (this part is questionable) they docked up at Airlie Beach where the boat now rests at Abell Point Marina.
The Whitsundays is a beautiful part of the journey which we hope to revisit before heading off to Cairns. Departure date is set for the 16th of August. Airlie Beach is to be our home until then.
Toodle-oo
**Again those facts may want to be confirmed with Captain Watson as my memory can be a little hazy. 99% is sure to be fine though.
