Leisure

Best Job in the World: Guard Island, Get Spa Treatment (and more)

So here I am, after a day-to-day intoxication-fest with relatives instead of chilling out during the Yuletide that got me acquainted with Gonzo, yours truly is locked up again in a fluorescent-lit cubicle that it is my so-called ‘corporate kingdom’ trying to make ends meet for another breath the next day. Back to reality, indeed. Still reeling from my Zambales hangover, I am already laying out plans of going back since I was unable to return to Potipot Island. Unfortunately, it went for naught as the strong gust of Siberian wind threatened to capsize the boats we were supposed to ride on. So, with fingers crossed, I will be accomplishing my objective maybe this Holy Week. It will surely be a blast since the island is so laid back (and backward as well with no electricity nor lodging establishments, ala Survivor) that its remoteness brings you back to nature, or to that extent maybe. As opposed to my San Antonio (also in Zambales) rendezvous where me and Mikey looking like exhausted sea cows (butanding) with a nagging hangover, crawling haplessly along the ’surfer-dude wannabe’ ridden shores of Pundaquit. While my other officemates Marc and Robert were making a heyday, taking pictures of our poor state.

Adding to my salivation for white sand beaches and serene ambience where you can only hear the waves conspiring with the rustling of coconut leaves to compose a perfect nature symphony on a deep slumber, I came across an online job posting of a different kind (make it out-of-this-world, to exaggerate). And it sure is WAY different from your 12-hour, stress-building and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome-developing shift in front of the computer. You job is to be an Island Caretaker, or in other words, you are tasked to:

1. Explore and Report Back

2. Feed the Fish

3. Clean the Pool

4. Collect the Mail

You may ask what sort of tomfoolery this is I am speaking of. I am talking about the job description, not the quirks (just yet). Sounds insane? Yes it is, but true.

Touted as “The Best Job in the World,” the tourism department of Australia’s Queensland state has launched a massive campaign for its highly-coveted vacancy which would really earn the envy of even the biggest hotshot CEO in town: a $100,000 contract to pamper yourself on the Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef for six months. Oh, you will also blog to promote the place.

Okay, hold on to your horses—or passports—for that matter. First impression to me was like: “what, in good God’s name, are they thinking of?” Then, I thought, this gimmickry is a very creative way of not only creating awareness of protecting one of the natural wonders of the World Heritage List that is the Great Barrier Reef but to promote tourism in the area as well. Awesome job post, it is.

As mentioned, the chosen candidate will be tasked to document his/her experiences through weekly blogs. Be it in video, photo or written form, he/she will be able to share ‘how hard it is’ to be an Island Caretaker via scheduled travails and events above and below the water. Added to the burden is ’sampling a new luxury spa treatment at qualia on Hamilton Island,’ snorkeling on Heron Island and bushwalking on Hinchinbrook Island. Very arduous tasks, indeed. And if that’s too much to ask for, then better back the fuck off this early on and start building dreams around your boring life.

If telling about the Island Reef is the field work, wait ‘til you get to know about the office. He/she will live at Blue Pearl, a posh three-bedroom hideaway on Hamilton Island fronting the panoramic scenery along Whitsunday Islands. Facilities? Well, they only got three spacious bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen having every utensil you can think of, hi-tech entertainment system, ceiling fans, airconditioning, laundry, the works. There’s also a private pool/spa, sun lounges, large balconies and that good ‘ole Aussie barbeque. Did I mention the golf buggy parked in the garage for that comfortable promenade around the island?

Application started last January 9. Along with filling up the form, the 18 and above (and eligible for a visa) Island Caretaker lucky hopeful must submit a 60-second or less application video in English creatively expressing the desire for the job and why he/she is best fit for the post. And with the deadline still a full 37 days away (February 22), online applications came into throngs that sent the Australian website crashing caused by the overload of influx. Since Monday, there have been more than a million unique visitors checking out the ad. Now they are adding nine more servers to accommodate the volume of online visitors. Video applications come from as far as Brazil, Mongolia, Romania, Switzerland, the United States and even the Vatican.

Maybe you could try out for this gig. Or maybe, you can tag along settling with the local shores of Zambales come summer. It won’t be half as ‘arduous’ as the Island Reef nanny position, but it sure is a refreshing welcome to tasting salt water.

So where was I? Oh, I’m in the office. Oktnxbai.

PS

If you think that this is a big pile of bullcrap, then I’ll make a convert of out you by asking you to visit Islandfreejob for details.

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