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They were flute birds with a wingspan of 60 cm that were treating ourselves to the croissants and everything else edible. Only when I grabbed a towel did we leave the place with loud croaking and mischievous looks. Not much remained of the breakfast, so I went to the seminar on an empty stomach.
The seminar took place in an exotic garden, in the middle of which was enthroned a long table surrounded by fourteen chairs. Fred had taken his place at the head of the table, and when everyone was seated he began on a longwinded talk about the situation of yacht insurance in Australia, competition, Marketing, and administration. He introduced his staff, each of us the best in his field, and submitted a business plan that included New Zealand and the USA. He finished his talk with the statement that Hughes would have to increase the commission so that the otherwise successful Yacht Club could win through. Hughes, who until then had been not talkative, agreed without demur under the bewitching perfume of the orchids, the exotic surrounds and the attractive waitresses. All of it is planned. The purpose of the seminar had been fulfilled, and we went to a tent in which an abundant buffet had been set up served by assiduous staff. As well there was a large amount of wine, delicious Barossa from Eden Valley. Afterwards people went back to sun-loungers beside the various pools that were linked to each other by bridges.
Many a tanned beauty was lying there, which robbed me of my sleep. To be to some extent fit for the dinner O’Gorman and I decided to play tennis. At 7 p.m. the temperature was tolerable, even though we already had to play by floodlight. I will never forget the screeching cockatoos that were circling the place in excitement. The atmosphere took us prisoner and became an evening routine, just like the margarita at the Polynesian bar that had to wait now till the opponents had finished our match, which I mostly won, as I am quite an accomplished player.
The second day was planned as a day of rest. Some of the group made an excursion to the outer Barrier Reef to catch a glimpse of the white sharks in the quiet hope of seeing the frightening teeth from a safe distance, while Fred and I decided to take a sailing trip. Fred had brought along a 45 foot sloop that laid lazily at anchor in the bay. Because of the piercing sun we wore bandanas soaked in water. The wind was favorable and we sailed far out into the inner Barrier Reef, where we anchored. I wanted to go snorkeling, and Fred said he would stay on the boat because „you can never know when the wind would spring up“ Australian waters were unpredictable. So I dived into the warm water alone and swam unnoticed far away from the boat. The world under water was overwhelming: corals, fan-shaped sea growths and unimaginable swarms of fish with bizarre shapes and overwhelming display of colours.
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