Australian Adventures

We’ve had a few famous icons here in the past couple of months, most of which I’ve had no idea who they were – some actors and reality show figures, others wealthy owners of well-known companies. Today, we welcomed our newest celebrity arrival. I’ll give you three hints: She is recently married, a relative of the royal family and her last name sounds an awful lot like our street name… Pippa Middleton, sister of Kate Middleton, the Dutchess of Cambridge (I think).

I’m sure Dad will read this thinking, “Yea whatever, it’s just another person, get back to the nature stuff.” But I figure Mom would want to hear about this type of encounter, so this one’s for you, Mom. Dad, there's some stuff about a sea lion at the end of this one if you want to jump ahead.

We had a team meeting this morning, before Pippa and her husband arrived for their three-night honeymoon stay here. We all signed forms stating that if we took any photos of them then we’d face immediate dismissal from Sal Salis. The thought of getting some racy photos and selling them for more than our yearly salaries crossed a lot of people’s minds as we all looked around the table at one another with a raised brow and a smirk. Prior to the meeting, we were not informed of the arrival whatsoever, although Candice and Paul were being very suspicious. We’re not allowed to use the phones at all during their stay and were told that the phone provider was ‘working on the phoneline.’ There’s been some paparazzi lurking around the airport the past couple of days I’ve heard, as well there was one on a beach down from ours, but so far we haven’t had any incidents worth noting. Several news agencies have been contacting Sal Salis asking for information though, so this could get quite exciting.

I drove the buggy out to pick up their luggage from the transfer vehicle Candice brought them here in. My hands were surprisingly not sweating like they usually do when I shook their hands. Phew! They looked just like most of the other guests that we have here – smartly dressed, straight posture, confident, good-looking. Pippa was a little stand-offish, but her husband, James, was very bubbly and kind. I’m sure it wouldn’t be easy having so much media attention all the time. I hope that they’re able to relax and get away from it all without any interruptions from on-lookers or press. Candice quickly whisked them away as she does with the VIP guests, so I didn’t really get a chance to talk to either of them beyond the usual pleasantries and introduction. All of our guests become very immersed in the group setting which includes meeting and mingling with all of our staff members at one point or another. It’s definitely what makes Sal Salis so special. I have a feeling though, Pippa and James may not mingle as much with us. We shall see. More to come!

A few days later…

Pippa and James have been mingling with the group very well. All the staff has been running around like Secret Service agents with radios and binoculars and code names. It’s been very funny and exciting. We’ve had some press follow our vehicles when we go on activities and when we take the guests to the boat ramp for whaleshark swims, so we’ve made up elaborate plans for sending out decoy vehicles. On the day that Pippa and James were scheduled to go swim with the whalesharks, we sent out three vehicles in 15 minute increments, some with the Sal Salis logos removed, some with passengers, some with decoy guests. Little did the paparazzi realize that Pippa and James were actually in Paul’s inconspicuous Landcruiser with a boat in tow, headed for a secret boat ramp where our whaleshark boat was to meet up with them.

Throughout their stay we were able to get away with confusing the press and no photos being taken of them, until the last day. We got a call from our reservations lady, Vicky, who received a call from Pippa’s PR agent who was quite upset that a photo had leaked of the pair holding hands walking down the beach. I’ve yet to see the photo, but I hear that it was taken from quite a distance away, so I’m thinking that a paparazzi must have hired a boat and come down to our reef to take a photo. I’m surprised we didn’t see them though, because we had staff members rotating in shifts standing on the hills and trolling the beaches. Ahh well, we tried our best.

When they left, they gave us a $500 tip and were very very thankful for all our work. James, who owns a chain of elite hotels offered Tazzie a job. That’s the fourth million/billionaire who’s offered him a job since the beginning of the season, three months ago!

On another note, while I was trolling the beach one day, I saw a large blob on the beach down from a ways and couldn’t figure out what the hell it was. When I approached it, it started moving. It was a giant sea lion about 3 meters long and quite fat, that looked like it was on its last legs, or flippers I suppose. His head was massive and he had really long fingernails! I walked around him and noticed he had a couple gashes out of his side. Sea Lions aren’t supposed to be this far north because the water is too warm for them here, but for some reason this old guy has been hanging around lately. People kept spotting him when I was on my days off and I was sure I’d missed the opportunity to see him, but alas, here he was! Except it wasn’t that great, because he died a couple hours later. Tazzie was joking with the guests about it later that day saying that we were having him for dinner. He said it so convincingly that some of the guests actually believed that being an ‘eco-lodge’ meant we recycled all things, including beached animals. Not the brightest guests this week…

Paul and Candice went on leave for four days again. It’s been great being in charge. It’s really hard when they come back though and Candice starts telling me how to do my job again. Sometimes it’s a bit overwhelming handling all the guests’ inquiries and reservations all while trying to manage the staff and keep things running. Normally it’s Paul and Candice doing the organizing while I assist, but when they’re gone it all falls on me and Tazzie assists, but he’s still got a full kitchen to run. I’m just really thankful I’ve got him – it wouldn’t be the same if he wasn’t here. We make a really good team and balance each other out really well. He’s a lot bigger of a personality than me, but I’m more organized and like doing the jobs that he doesn’t and vise versa.

Other points to mention:
- Planning proposal
- Guests trying to get us together, fan the flames
- Lots of great reviews
- Staff not getting along – boys vs girls
- Fun time serving, presenting the meals
- Rain, rain go away
- Karen situation, giving me the book

Charlie Mae Haskins

20 chapters

15 Apr 2020

Welcome the Royals

June 05, 2017

|

Sal Salis

We’ve had a few famous icons here in the past couple of months, most of which I’ve had no idea who they were – some actors and reality show figures, others wealthy owners of well-known companies. Today, we welcomed our newest celebrity arrival. I’ll give you three hints: She is recently married, a relative of the royal family and her last name sounds an awful lot like our street name… Pippa Middleton, sister of Kate Middleton, the Dutchess of Cambridge (I think).

I’m sure Dad will read this thinking, “Yea whatever, it’s just another person, get back to the nature stuff.” But I figure Mom would want to hear about this type of encounter, so this one’s for you, Mom. Dad, there's some stuff about a sea lion at the end of this one if you want to jump ahead.

We had a team meeting this morning, before Pippa and her husband arrived for their three-night honeymoon stay here. We all signed forms stating that if we took any photos of them then we’d face immediate dismissal from Sal Salis. The thought of getting some racy photos and selling them for more than our yearly salaries crossed a lot of people’s minds as we all looked around the table at one another with a raised brow and a smirk. Prior to the meeting, we were not informed of the arrival whatsoever, although Candice and Paul were being very suspicious. We’re not allowed to use the phones at all during their stay and were told that the phone provider was ‘working on the phoneline.’ There’s been some paparazzi lurking around the airport the past couple of days I’ve heard, as well there was one on a beach down from ours, but so far we haven’t had any incidents worth noting. Several news agencies have been contacting Sal Salis asking for information though, so this could get quite exciting.

I drove the buggy out to pick up their luggage from the transfer vehicle Candice brought them here in. My hands were surprisingly not sweating like they usually do when I shook their hands. Phew! They looked just like most of the other guests that we have here – smartly dressed, straight posture, confident, good-looking. Pippa was a little stand-offish, but her husband, James, was very bubbly and kind. I’m sure it wouldn’t be easy having so much media attention all the time. I hope that they’re able to relax and get away from it all without any interruptions from on-lookers or press. Candice quickly whisked them away as she does with the VIP guests, so I didn’t really get a chance to talk to either of them beyond the usual pleasantries and introduction. All of our guests become very immersed in the group setting which includes meeting and mingling with all of our staff members at one point or another. It’s definitely what makes Sal Salis so special. I have a feeling though, Pippa and James may not mingle as much with us. We shall see. More to come!

A few days later…

Pippa and James have been mingling with the group very well. All the staff has been running around like Secret Service agents with radios and binoculars and code names. It’s been very funny and exciting. We’ve had some press follow our vehicles when we go on activities and when we take the guests to the boat ramp for whaleshark swims, so we’ve made up elaborate plans for sending out decoy vehicles. On the day that Pippa and James were scheduled to go swim with the whalesharks, we sent out three vehicles in 15 minute increments, some with the Sal Salis logos removed, some with passengers, some with decoy guests. Little did the paparazzi realize that Pippa and James were actually in Paul’s inconspicuous Landcruiser with a boat in tow, headed for a secret boat ramp where our whaleshark boat was to meet up with them.

Throughout their stay we were able to get away with confusing the press and no photos being taken of them, until the last day. We got a call from our reservations lady, Vicky, who received a call from Pippa’s PR agent who was quite upset that a photo had leaked of the pair holding hands walking down the beach. I’ve yet to see the photo, but I hear that it was taken from quite a distance away, so I’m thinking that a paparazzi must have hired a boat and come down to our reef to take a photo. I’m surprised we didn’t see them though, because we had staff members rotating in shifts standing on the hills and trolling the beaches. Ahh well, we tried our best.

When they left, they gave us a $500 tip and were very very thankful for all our work. James, who owns a chain of elite hotels offered Tazzie a job. That’s the fourth million/billionaire who’s offered him a job since the beginning of the season, three months ago!

On another note, while I was trolling the beach one day, I saw a large blob on the beach down from a ways and couldn’t figure out what the hell it was. When I approached it, it started moving. It was a giant sea lion about 3 meters long and quite fat, that looked like it was on its last legs, or flippers I suppose. His head was massive and he had really long fingernails! I walked around him and noticed he had a couple gashes out of his side. Sea Lions aren’t supposed to be this far north because the water is too warm for them here, but for some reason this old guy has been hanging around lately. People kept spotting him when I was on my days off and I was sure I’d missed the opportunity to see him, but alas, here he was! Except it wasn’t that great, because he died a couple hours later. Tazzie was joking with the guests about it later that day saying that we were having him for dinner. He said it so convincingly that some of the guests actually believed that being an ‘eco-lodge’ meant we recycled all things, including beached animals. Not the brightest guests this week…

Paul and Candice went on leave for four days again. It’s been great being in charge. It’s really hard when they come back though and Candice starts telling me how to do my job again. Sometimes it’s a bit overwhelming handling all the guests’ inquiries and reservations all while trying to manage the staff and keep things running. Normally it’s Paul and Candice doing the organizing while I assist, but when they’re gone it all falls on me and Tazzie assists, but he’s still got a full kitchen to run. I’m just really thankful I’ve got him – it wouldn’t be the same if he wasn’t here. We make a really good team and balance each other out really well. He’s a lot bigger of a personality than me, but I’m more organized and like doing the jobs that he doesn’t and vise versa.

Other points to mention:
- Planning proposal
- Guests trying to get us together, fan the flames
- Lots of great reviews
- Staff not getting along – boys vs girls
- Fun time serving, presenting the meals
- Rain, rain go away
- Karen situation, giving me the book

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