I’ve spent the last two days with my new family at the offices of Tourism Queensland in Brisbane going through my induction, working out how to use all of the equipment I need and learning the ropes of what will no doubt prove to be the most exciting role I’ve ever been employed for.
The clanging of my alarm clock awoke me from my slumber and the adrenalin for the day coarsed through my veins as I leapt from my pit in the knowledge that it was all about to commence, The Best Job in the World starts here….
….and the media attention starts here too, downstairs into the lobby for the first round of television interviews, then a phone interview, then off to the airport for the press conference. Assembled in the departures area were some familiar faces; the press from the finals back in May had once again gathered to tell the world about the Best Job campaign, but this time I didn’t have the support of the other finalists!
After relaxing in the Virgin lounge, Bre (my girlfriend who’ll be here for the next six months) and I made our way to the departure gate and boarded the flight which would finally take us to paradise and the promised land of the Whitsundays.
Our arrival at Hamilton Island was truly spectacular – talk about a fanfare from the assembled staff from the resort! It really felt as if we’d finally arrived in paradise; the flight over the reef, the view as we came into land and then this – a welcome which left me speechless.
I loved the next part – introducing Bre to Blue Pearl – our new luxury villa for the next six months. Her jaw dropped as we descended the steps into our new luxury apartment. I gave her the guided tour introducing her to the three double rooms and of course the amazing, huge ice dispensing fridge, then ended it off with a dip in our enormous spa on the balcony which looks out over the Coral Sea. There will be plenty of evenings spent here I imagine.
Once the media attention had died down we had half an hour to unpack and redress before heading out to the uber-glamorous Qualia resort; one of the worlds only six star luxury destinations and how it deserves this title. Infinity pools, spotless groomed sands and a view which can only be experienced as a description from me just won’t do it justice.
The welcome dinner was another great experience, the chefs at Qualia produced five courses of exquisite delights and when it was all over Bre and I made our way to the golf buggy and drove through the balmy air for a night of well earned rest at Blue Pearl.
If things continue as they’ve started I’ll be the happiest man on the planet, the most tired man on the planet and maybe even the fattest man on the planet!
170 Comments
Just watched the show on BBC iPlayer, great show! I’m not usually a big fan of reality TV but this show was different, the people involved are all special and not just there for the fame.
Congratulations on becoming the new caretaker Ben!
Congratulations…like many others I too watched your journey unfold throughout the months, after watching the BBC documentary last night- you truly are the right man for the job, fun, down to earth a hard worker and mature (I think the other candidates lacked maturity).
I can’t wait to read about your life on the Island, I hope both you and Bree enjoy your time in paradise, just make sure you swim extra lengths to burn off the excellent food you’ll indulge in, Hamilton Island looks fabulous, I better start saving my pennies as now it is one of the places on my wish list I have to visit!!! Good Luck \(*o*)/
Good on you Ben … like many others, I’ve just seen the BBC doco too. Hope you and Bre have a fab time. I’m sure you will.
Makes me proud to be British! You are genuine with a good sense of humour and with such a lust for life (and Bre!) you are the best person for the job! Enjoy every moment!
Clare (Bucks)
We just watched the BBC TV documentary. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke…well done, you thoroughly deserved to get the job. My wife and I wish Ben and Bre the happiest of times together and are dead jealous of the time you will spend in such an amazing place. We look forward to following your adventure via the blogs. Regards Mike & Tania (Reading, UK)
Absolutely amazing! Look forward to hearing about your advenures.
sorry…was this not a caretakers job, not an all expenses paid holiday? when exactly does the job / work / care taking happen so that you can earn the £70 thou wage????
Not that winning a 6 month holiday isn’t thrilling and to be enjoyed, but why not just have advertised it as that!
Greetings from Petersfield!
The weather has been a mere 24 degrees today. We had a few bits of misty type rain earlier on the day. The view outside my window is of a reasonably busy residential street on the eastern side of town …. the wildlife i’ve seen today is the nextdoor neighbours cat and a pigeon in the garden ….. you are definatly in the best place!
Enjoy your stay …. we look forward to reading your blogs.
From The Belchers
Congratulations !!
We will follow you on your new amazing job! Take care / SWEDSTRALIA
Good luck Ben! I watched the BBC documentary two nights ago, unfortunately, it was not exciting as expected! Anyway, hope you will provide us more interesting stories being the island caretaker…
Hey Ben,
Enjoy Blue Pearl!!
give love to Bre!!
cheers!!
Congratulations Ben! I’ve just watched the BBC documentary and I was rooting for you to win. Well done mate! Have a great time.
Congratulations
, is a desire of the Latino community Hacker.
We are people with this new project, if you can give us a hand will be welcome. As far as your ability allows. Course
Well done Ben for landing in paradise, I’m not jealous, honest! I’m looking forward to following your story for the next 6 months, and viewing some fabulous photos of your and Bre’s adventures.
Have fun…
Hamilton Island is amazing!!! I visited the Island with my parents 20 years ago when I was 15 years old. I am so full of Envy and overjoyed to hear your story. I can totally relate to how you describe the place. I loved feeding the dolphins in the dolphin pool after breakfast.Congratulations! Wish I was there… Andy (Wakefield, west yorkshire).
Nice 2 meet U (･∀･)ﾉ
I also applied fot it,but・・・maybe next time ☆ lol
I love the beautiful *sae* <`)))彡
So lookin’ forward to *see* it on ur Blog ☆
this is cool man!
I am looking forward to hearing more about the dive sites in your area and the types of marine life that can be seen. Is Nitrox available and what are the dive facilities available? Available wrecks and so on. Get your tanks on and get your dive notes built up!
hey ben,
i watched the documentary on the telly the other night and i have to say your experience of this entire trip must of been absoutly AMAZING…
you by far are the luckiest man alive i think and as for your girlfriend… what an amazing adventure this must be for her and well the both of you… did you ever think out of 34,000 people who applied you would be the one who won it?!
well anyway have an absoutly amazing time hope you get all you want out of it
take it easy both of you x
You definitly became an international media star! I used your story, published in an Italian newspaper, for my Italian lesson here in the Midlands. My students really enjoyed it.
You are a sexy man
Hi Ben,
My husband and I both applied for this amazing job but failed. However we are still curious to know how you are doing and we are sure you will do a fabulous job!! So keep on the good work and let us know more about everything on the island!!!
Have a great time!!
E&J
G’day mate! I am sure you and Bre are enjoying the beautiful beaches with wonderful weather there! Envy you mate!
Let’s explore more interesting stuffs and keep the world updated about your life rite!
It was quite hot in Hong Kong last week, but today is fine, wish that I could escape from office and go to beach~~
As you are having the best job in the world, so don’t forget to treasure your job and time there and relax for us!
Cheers,
TJ
u r lucky! but u really shouldn’t say u don’t like australia’s weather cos we all love it.
how nice it is! i wished i could…haha
Congratulations Ben!
I am delighted to see a ‘reality show’ where actually (for once) the smartest person wins… You deserve it!
Enjoy!
Must be kinda weird to get all this attention for being chosen. I wish you all the best and that you do feel like you got the best job in the world. After this press storm is over I hope you have fun and focus on the big pictures. Some people could feel a little exiled in an island efter all this attention from the whole world. I admire your courage, Ben. Best of luck.
Wow! The house does seem amazing. Well done you! I’ve applied myself to the caretaker job but didn’t get too far. I’m looking forward to following your updates though. Enjoy it! I’m sure you will.
Congratulations, Ben. Looking forward to your blogs. (KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.)
Congratulations. Looking forward to reading more of your blogs. All the best, cheers.
Hello from Spain that luck yours, me encantra to travel when I can and believe that you are favoured like that that he(she) enjoys, a greeting from Spain and tomorrow San Fermin holiday(party) of Pamplona not if you know her but is very famous and there come muchisima people of all parts of the world to this event ciao Maria
Hello Ben,
It’s a brilliant project. I took a liberty of suggesting your blog with my bloggers in Japan. I’m looking forward to your exploration in the beautiful country.
Greeting from Tokyo, Japan.
Answer
Congratulations Ben! Although I applied for the job too and am gutted not to have been successful, you are certainly the right man for the job and I wish you all the best. Enjoy!
‘description from me just won’t do it justice’: too right!!
I envy you!
Ben congratulation’s you truly have a great life oppurtunity to see the wonders of australia, damn i wish it was me …lol you bugger wished my video was 1 minute long instead of 2 ha ha ha my failing lol enjoy every momment you can and i hope you smile every day in ore of the spectacular beauty laid before you?
kind regards
Michael O’Neill
EU MORO AQUI NO BRASIL i from Brazil!!! contruy lindo!
Good luck to you Ben and i hope Bre enjoys it too.
I was on Hamilton Island in January and it is a fabulous place to be. A Paradise – definatly.
Try out the Buffet Dinner in the Hotel, a must one night for sure. Oh and remember to wear the Sun Cream. You know what us Brits look like after being in the Sun too long…..Lobsters spring to mind !!
Have fun.
Congrats. I was hoping to return to Oz to get material for a kids book. Didn’t work out so instead I’ll be living vicariously through both of you! Enjoy your time and best of luck.
Hi Ben………… greetings & best wished on your new adventure from Connecticut, USA.
Will be checking in from time to time to see how all is going.
Bye for now,
Pippie
Good luck mate and enjoy yourself.
Congrats, Ben–even though I’m green with envy! I’ll be linking to you from my Vegas Girl blog. Enjoy the Best Job in the World!!
Congrats Ben! I will be watching your adventures from Chicago. The Marketing Campaign for this entire project has been done quite well, as I am currently starting to plan for a visit to Hamilton Island next year.
Take good care of the `·.,, >
Shellie
When are we going to get an update, for $150K++ Tourism Queensland don’t appear to be managing their investment well..
Look forward to hearing what unique attributes Hamilton Island can offer the gay traveller.
Bises
Ben,
We couldn’t be more excited for you! (Well, maybe we could be if we were there with you… but that aside) This will truly be the adventure and experience of a lifetime. We’ll be watching with envy and joy as you get to experience all that Queensland has to offer!
Warmest,
Jonathan
http://www.CarrieAndJonathan.com
Good luck and have fun!
Hi! I like your srticle and I would like very much to read some more information on this issue. Will you post some more?
Congratulations! I’m a Japanese woman. 33 years old. I’m envious your Island life.
Enjoy yourself . I’m looking forward to your blogs.
Hi Ben and Bre,
I will follow your progress via your blog. Great to meet you on the Virgin Flight to Hamilton Island on July 1st. So glad I got to sit next to you cos I made it on the late news with you. Enjoy every minute of your 6 month experience. We loved Hamilton Island.
Cheers
Jan Gibbs (Aunty Jan)
While I do offer my congrats on your win, you seem very qualified….I will say I am unimpressed with your blog. Descriptions man!! Bring it to life for the rest of the world. Your writing is very clinical, matter of fact, and well, boring. Take us there with senses stirring descriptions, not just I did this and this and ate that. My daily life is more exciting than what you are doing the way you go about describing it. Put some excitement, some flavor, some feeling into it! It’s supposed to be the job of a lifetime, the most exciting adventure ever…show that excitement and enthusiasm in the blog!! Do what you are being paid to do, you’re supposed to be the “best person for the job” so show us you were the right choice. Right now it’s so clinical and mind numbing to read, I can’t finish. If this is the excitement level, the most enthusiam you have in the first week, which is supposed to be the most energizing, adrenaline filled days, then what about day 30, or even 60? Show all that enthusiasm and zest for life you are supposed to have in your written descriptions. That’s what the world is looking for. Make us want to go there with your descriptions, tell us about the sights, sounds, feelings and tastes of the world that surrounds you. I can read a brochure as of now that has more life in it. PLEASE….for God’s sake and for all of us applicants that didn’t make it, show us, tell us, your unadulterated excitement, adrenaline filled, how did I get so lucky journey!! Spare us nothing, tell us every sigh inducing, jealousy stirring, moment. Describe it as if you wish to torment us with your experiences. Relish in it! For all our sakes, make it as exciting as we all imagined and dreamed it would be. You’re killing me with your ho hum, I did this, then this, we ate that, way of telling your story. I guess I expected a lot more flavorful writing, more descriptions of the sights, sounds and flavors of Hamilton Islands. I’ve said my piece, so good luck, Ben…I wish you all the best in the coming months. I hope to see more emotion from you in your writing. Live the moments for the rest of us!
Understood Katy, I will try to do my best to improve the next set of experiences I report on for you. The first few days and blogs are not likely to be as settled and definitive as they develop over time. I’m currently trying our best to improve the experience for all viewers and I hope you continue to read and offer feedback. Ben
Hey Ben, thanks for the reply! Surprised you had time, so very cool of you. Hope I didn’t seem harsh, I will be back to read on…hard to stay away when you want to see what your stay involves, the enormity of it all, and just the plain old astonishment that it is in fact your job. Lucky, lucky you! I do have to say I liked the addition of the weather reports, go ahead, torment us, we WANT it! Love, love, love all the pics too. I myself and languishing in 57 degree weather in Michigan, so if I can live vicariously through your blog it will be lovely. I plan on cranking the heat, playing my tropical tunes, and pretending I am, in fact, on the islands.
Thanks once again…it is nice to know you are reading comments, right man for the job indeed. I do hope you have a wonderful time reporting all the exciting things you get to do and participate in. Oh yeah…I loved the addition of telling a personal moment with Bre and the spider. It’s nice to hear the things that are not scheduled, oftentimes they are the most interesting and funny moments.
I look forward to seeing your adventure unfold!
Good Luck and have fun!
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