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 🙂
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 🙂
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!
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!!
Looks delightful Helene:) Very envious!
A wonderful way to spend time! Lucky you!
I’m very spoiled, Jo, but with the boat one step closer to reality I’m starting to get a little excited!!
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 🙂
Cathy, the boat time was a bonus! I think I may need a few more lessons before I could go solo though 🙂
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!
Lovely part of the world, Helene – lucky you for flying it every day!
Another beautiful day in paradise – I guess someone’s got to do it. 🙂
Nice place to be delayed, what was the problem?
Wow… nice place to have a delay! And excellent that you got some boat-time too 🙂
Cath
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!