We had examined the Whitsunday Islands brochures. We had checked the daily weather report, which forecast sunny days with highs in the 80s. The wet season in northern Queensland starts in late December, and we felt safe planning our charter for mid-November. We packed our T-shirts and snorkel gear, hopped on the plane and made our way to Australia. Wet toes squeak as five pairs of feet jam into pockets on the gray river raft's sole.
White knuckles tighten around plastic oars.
We shake off the day's shiver, look beyond the towering waterfall ahead and listen through the earholes in our protective red helmets. The Pacuare River, so soothing as it winds through a brilliant green valley of virgin tropical rainforest, is beginning to move faster. While piloting Yachting's Mainship 30 through a bustling Key West Harbor, I spotted Destiny towering over the fleet of sailboats. Westport 98 at the bump of a throttle, buzzed around her stern. Blank-faced spouses perched on many a bow, white knuckles holding boat hooks with a death grip.