If you remember earlier this year, the state of Queensland, Australia announced that they are looking for candidates to apply for the job as the caretaker of the Great Barrier Reef islands. Dubbed as the “Best Job in the World“, the person chosen to be the “island caretaker” was required to do the following: lazing in the sun, snorkelling, feeding the fish, cleaning the pool and post weekly entries and photo/video updates on a blog. For compensation, the “island caretaker” will be receiving $150,000 Australian dollars (US $105,000) for the 6-month tenure.
The Best Job in the World campaign attracted over 34,000 applicants from over 200 countries. After a preliminary round of the selection process, the initial number of candidates was cut down to 50, then a group of 16 finalists coming from 15 different countries were chosen. Yesterday, the winner was announced and the person chosen to be the “island caretaker” was British adventurer Ben Southall.
Here’s a video of the press conference and announcement of the Best Job in the World winner.
What a lucky guy! Imagine, being paid to go to the beach, go snorkelling and blog. I’m sure most of us dream about having a job like this, right? Although the job only lasts 6 months, its still the best job in the world especially for a blogger. For sure Ben will be having the time of his life. Congratulations Ben and looking forward to reading your blog entries. Have fun mate!
How about you guys? Ever dreamed about having a job like this? If not, what would be the best job in the world for you? Do you think Ben will get bored with his job after a few weeks? Please share your thoughts.
[image and video taken from the Daily Telegraph]
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March 3rd, 2010 at 3:26 AM
damn, can’t believe i missed this :(
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July 20th, 2009 at 12:41 AM
then after the job…it’s luxury!
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May 26th, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Great post, this is an awesome job that you get paid $100k for only 6 months to work. I miss this opportunity…
Cheers,
Julius
juliusorias.ws
Juliuss last blog post..My Blogger Account That Has Been Locked Now Is Back?
May 24th, 2009 at 11:57 PM
… oh yes and for all this beauty and even pay salaries. 105 thousand for the 6-months … not little!
May 24th, 2009 at 11:50 PM
I would do so. around the sea, palm trees, sun, warm sand … Cool!
May 20th, 2009 at 5:15 PM
@Michael – That’s why its called the “best job in the world” because you’re being paid to go on vacation. :D
May 20th, 2009 at 5:10 PM
wow! its just like having a vacation, at the same time getting paid. That’s what makes it the best job in the world.
May 17th, 2009 at 4:20 PM
@Jamie – Aww..it’s all good man. Who knows, they might do it again next year or maybe somebody else will come up with another type of promo/gimmick such as this and then you can apply for it. :D
May 17th, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Missed out on this one :(
May 16th, 2009 at 10:45 AM
@jehzlau – Yeah, this is the “best job in the world” that everyone’s talking about, although I know with your current status you are also having the best job in the world. Hehe ;)
May 16th, 2009 at 10:41 AM
eto pala yung pinag uusapang best job in the world.. wow astig! kainggit!
jehzlaus last blog post..iBlog5 is the 5th Philippine Blogging Summit
May 12th, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Six month paid tropical vacation! What could be better?!
May 8th, 2009 at 6:00 AM
@Michael – Hahaha..you got that right. That photo really captured the “moment”, I guess he wasn’t expecting to win it. :D
May 8th, 2009 at 5:56 AM
Those eyes just say it all.
I’m just pretty terrified of those eyes though.
May 8th, 2009 at 5:55 AM
@Roy – I know it only lasts 6 months but he’s still one lucky dude coz this job is almost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m not sure if they’ll continue to have this every year or some place/county might think of using this gimik too. And like you said, if he handles his finances well, he’ll have enough money to start his own business or go on early retirement. :D
May 8th, 2009 at 5:50 AM
it’s unfortunate that the job is good only for six months… still, if he handles his finances well, he’ll be really well-off after his job.
lucky guy indeed!
Roys last blog post..The Struggling Blogger on struggling bloggers
May 8th, 2009 at 2:55 AM
@ceblogger – Haha..I didn’t think about those great white sharks. Well maybe they already thought about that and his job/chores doesn’t involve any interaction with the sharks or puts him in any risk to get attacked by the sharks. :D
May 8th, 2009 at 2:53 AM
good luck to ben! the thought of great white sharks in the great barrier reef scares me.
cebloggers last blog post..Manchester United vs Barcelona in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Finals
May 7th, 2009 at 10:55 PM
@elmot – Yes, he’s gonna be in paradise and he’ll be paid to go there, doing what he loves doing. Lucky chap! :D
There was a Filipino contestant? I didn’t even know about that. Hehe
May 7th, 2009 at 10:51 PM
wowowee! so he’ll be living in paradise. and the filipino contestant did not make it?
May 7th, 2009 at 7:40 PM
@Raju – I know, me too! I won’t mind doing it for a month or permanently as long as I have my family with me. :D
May 7th, 2009 at 7:40 PM
wow!! I would have loved to win this job (just for a day though!!)