Summer Job Best in world, $105,000 salar y

“If you don't apply for this job, turn in your outdoors credentials and chain yourself to a pipe in the basement!

SYDNEY (AFP) – An Australian state is offering internationally what it calls "the best job in the world" -- earning a top salary for lazing around a beautiful tropical island for six months.

The job pays 150,000 Australian dollars (105,000 US dollars) and includes free airfares from the winner's home country to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland's state government announced on Tuesday.

In return, the "island caretaker" will be expected to stroll the white sands, snorkel the reef, take care of "a few minor tasks" -- and report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates.

The successful applicant, who will stay rent-free in a three-bedroom beach home complete with plunge pool and golf buggy, must be a good swimmer, excellent communicator and be able to speak and write English.

"They'll also have to talk to media from time to time about what they're doing so they can't be too shy and they'll have to love the sea, the sun, the outdoors," said acting state Premier Paul Lucas.

"The fact that they will be paid to explore the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, swim, snorkel and generally live the Queensland lifestyle makes this undoubtedly the best job in the world."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090113/od_afp/lifestyleaustraliatourismoffbeat_20090113032028”

“I have plenty of room in my basement for anyone who needs to be chained.”

“Kinky Wench!”

“There is a reason crazy mike hasn't seen daylight for a while.”

“Give me mountains any day over the beach.”

“Spirit's basement ain't that bad...”

“I will paste a post card here on TT for everyone to read from the Barrier Reef and let you know what a great job it is...I will have my video in by the 22nd!”

“
beware the blue-ringed octopi

and the Great White Sharks.


(and don't screw around with the rays)

”

“(and don't screw around with the rays)

Tllt
10:13:43 AM

Didn't seem to bother the Phillies.”

“Crikey ---- maybe he should've been carrying a baseball bat.”

“i sent in my resume. yo bear!”

“I guess they couldn't find any Aussie to do the job, so they need to find a sucker....er, a "contest winner" to go snorkel around the coral reef amid the sharks. heh heh”

“LOL...three weeks after they drop you off you find out it was a nuke test site in the 50s”

“http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479973,00.html


The job's Web site shows many of the 60-second video applications received so far from all over the world, including Brazil, Romania, Switzerland, the United States and Turkey.

One Queensland woman's video shows her walking into a tattoo parlor and walking out with an apparent tattoo on her arm that reads, "I [heart] islands of the Great Barrier Reef."

A woman in Greece promises — via a scroll of words across the screen — to wash all of Australia's laundry and even clean up up after the kangaroos.

Another video shows a woman standing on a street belting out an original song. Some applicants simply stare at the camera and beg.

And then there have been videos that were simply too — shall we say, quirky? — to publicize, Hayes said.”

“Their website crashed....too many wannabe free-loaders who didn't read about the recent rash of shark attacks. heh heh”