Did you know that the “Best Job in the World” comes with a blog? Well, I didn’t until yesterday. UK native Ben Southall writes about his journey as island caretaker for Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. His humorous application video gave him a distinct advantage over other contestants, a whole 34,000 of them, from every corner of the globe. In addition to being an avid traveler, Southall also snorkels, cycles, and runs in marathons. His apparent love for adventure was precisely what caught the eye of Tourism Queensland judges in 2009. The Briton was selected for the six month position, which came with the following benefits:
- Approximately $104,000 in salary.
- Round-trip airfare.
- Free accommodations in a three bedroom home.
- Travel Insurance.
- A highly interactive, self-fulfilling role that is frequently in the spotlight.
- An entire island to play on.
Southall completed his role of island caretaker in January 2010. His interactive blog includes photos, videos, and links to different websites. Readers get a taste of what it is like to whizz around on speed boats, ride in a hot air balloon, scuba dive, and dine on fine cuisine. The thirty-something has been the subject of newspaper and magazine articles as well as television appearances. He is always on the go, traveling from one destination to the next, but keeps his Twitter account updated.
His other project, Afritrex: 5 Marathons 5 Mountains, wrapped up on December 31st, 2008, just in time to receive word about his new job with Tourism Queensland. Despite challenges, Southall completed the task of completing five marathons on five mountains located throughout the continent of Africa. It was this experience that gave him the motivation and courage to apply for the island caretaker position in Australia. From the looks of his blog, there is no stopping this globetrotting man.
About Brandon Leibowitz
