The Briton who won a (competition) for the "Best Job in the World" arrived on Australia's idyllic Hamilton Island Wednesday to begin his (leisurely) six-month posting in the tropical paradise.
Ben Southall, 34, started by sending a video (blog) from Brisbane airport departure lounge where he filmed himself alongside his girlfriend, Breanna Watkins.
"When we get there we're going to (explore) our house, and it's the first chance to drive the golf buggy as well, which is one of the (massive) perks of the job," he said.
The outgoing charity fundraiser (beat) off thousands of competitors for the job in a hugely successful marketing campaign that captured the world's imagination and (earned) international awards for its creators.
His brief as "caretaker" is to snorkel, swim and (sail) around the balmy Whitsunday Islands and send daily blogs and video blogs with the (aim) of promoting the destination for Tourism Queensland.
His movements will be recorded in (exhaustive) detail on two websites, www.islandreefjob.com.au and www.bestjobben.com, as well as social networking (site) Twitter.
Southall earlier courted controversy when he (admitted) he would miss Britain's long summer days and traditional roast dinners, prompting newspapers to (accuse) him of being a "whingeing pom".
"So when asked about the things I'd miss about the UK it (appears) I have to play my cards close to my chest for fear of (reprisal) by the tabloid newspapers both here and in Australia!"
However, he later (complained) he had been placed in economy class for the long (journey) from Britain to Australia.
"Can you believe it....I'm in economy!! Oh well can't change the habit of a (lifetime)," he tweeted.
Tourism Queensland chief Anthony Hayes insisted Southall (would) have to work hard and said the 'best job' stunt would help keep the industry afloat in the global (downturn).
"Today is the beginning," he said. "All the publicity's been great but now it's about communicating with people who really will want to come to Queensland for a (holiday).
A government report this month (warned) Australia's tourism industry was at risk of losing thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in (income) after its share of global tourism (dropped) 14 percent between 1995 and 2008.
Question)
1. Would you like to live in such a island? Why?
2. How important does travelling account for in your life? Where would like to go best?
