Sep 2006

Another looooong journey with an absolutley raving bus driver. The scenery on the way up to Cairns is stunning; banana plantations and rainforests.

Cairns is not a particluarly beuatiful town but there is LOADS to do around here. There isn't a beach here but there is a massive lagoon. It was good to spend a couple of days chilling out as the last few weeks have been soooooo stressful!!?? One of the guys from Fraser Island and the Irish guys from the boat have followed us up here too. Everyone pretty much does the same route up the East coast.

I spent a day snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, amazing! Sooooo much to see and I'm pleased to say I found Nemo! We managed to fit in 2 different locations on the reef before having to head back. The colours and variety of fish and coral out there was waaaaaaaayyyyyyy better than I imagined.

Which brings me to the hippes........ I need to set the scene a wee bit: I met a girl in Cairns who went to the same uni and did the same course as me, a very small world. She is up in Cairns and we met up, her name is Jen. Jen has 2 german friends, Liza and Sybil and they are all very nice and a good laugh. They went up to a small village just north of Cairns, Kuranda, last week missed the last bus home so had to hitchike back. They were picked up by a lovely old lady called Eunice. Eunice met them a couple of times in Cairns for a bite to eat or for a coffee. She then invited them to a 'party' up in Kuranda. She has a spare flat with loads of room for them to stay. The 3 girls invited me along too.

We arrived in Kuranda yesterday afternoon, a cute wee, touristy village in the middle of the rainforest with some good markets. Eunice picked us up and took us back to her place which was really lovely. All we knew about the party was that it had an international theme.

Eunice picked us up at 6 and took us to 'Aurora' which is a series of properties in a huuuge area of land. We were based in the main hall which was beautifully set up with food from Indonesia, Japan, India, USA and Holland. Everyone was dressed up in national dress from one of the particular countries. There was a wide age range but mainly families and older people. We now start wondering who these people are and why they all live together. Although we weren't too concerned as there was loads of free, yummy food and off course wine!!

Everyone we chatted to seemed fairly normal until a red book was handed out. Half the people present stood up, round the piano, and proceeded to sing random hymns for half an hour. We start to get worried....!!

Thankfully there was no sermon or mad sacrificial ceremonies but there were, oddly enough, a candle dance, mini ninjas running around the place and a flute recital.

A very bizarre evening, I did manage to find out they're a community originally from Indonesia who then moved to Holland and then Australia for some bizarre reason. We did do quite well though, 1 bottle of wine, 1 bottle of Ouzo and plenty of takeaway food. We also denied their many invitations to stay and join their 'community'

After such an eventful evening what better way to spend the next day than at a fruit bat rescue centre. Very odd looking animals but kinda cute in a strange ugly way.

I'm now back in Cairns, probably going to spend a 'peaceful' evening with the Irish guys and Donuts when he gets back from his diving. Of to Cape Tribulation tomorrow to do some crocodile spotting, kayaking and zip lining through the rainforest.

We got a loooooong overnight bus up to Airlie beach on the 25th,which is the setting of point for the sailing trips. It's a manic crazy place, not the prettiest but a lot of fun. We met up with 4 others we went round Fraser Island with, 2 girls and 2 guys.

After being swapped boats 4 times we ended up on Hammer, an ex-racing boat that holds the record for the Sydney-Hobart race. Apart from 2 Irish guys we were the only people on board that weren't part of a bus tour. Which wouldn't have been too bad apart from they were mainly German and most were doing phd's in physics!!! Needless to say they were a bundle of laughs, they also had interesting taste in speedo swimwear mmmmmmmmm nice!?!?

The first day we started late so motored to a safe harbour and spent the night. The sky is incredibly clear out there. The germans went to bed at 10pm on the dot so we stayed up with the crew. Sleeping was in tiny swinging bunks that were surprisingly comfortable.

The next day was an early start and we got a chance to see the islands and do some proper sailing. The sails were massive and took 4 of us to hoist up. Luckily we didn't have anything to do with all the ropes as one of the crew on a neighbouring boat had his pinky finger shorn of, blood everywhere, not pleasant at all!

The whitsundays consist of 74 islands, mostly uninhabited and all gorgeous. We spent most of the second day snorkelling and sailing. I even got the chance to steer the boat for quite a while, just as well I didn't need to reverse!! We ended up at Whitehaven beach which is a long stretch of beautiful white sandy beach. It's one of the most isolated beaches in the world and looks like it's right of a postcard. Loads of stingrays and a few more sharks and turtles. Absolutely stunning.
Yet another night of German fun and frolics!!?! They very clearly didn't like our choice of music so switched the CD when noone was looking to some cheesy old man music that they said was "more appropriate!!??"

The last day was mainly spent snorkelling, sailing and dolphin watching before we, unfortunately, had to drop of the Germans. We then had the whole boat to the 4 of us and the 3 crew for the rest of the afternooon. I can't think of a better way to spend a Monday afternoon!! I could easily have spent at least another week sailing round the islands, minus the germans of course!!

Again, I'm struggling to describe the whole experience it was fantastic!!

The night we got back we spent in Airlie beach, was supposed to be a boat night out but we ended up with the 4 of us and lots of free beer, so we didn't complain that the Germans didn't turn up!!

Next stop Cairns......

This is the sky line of Brisbane from the river

Noosa beach at sunset

Our 4WD and most of the group at lunch on the first day, Fraser Island

Lake Mackenzie, Fraser Island

The whole group in front of the Moheno wreck, Fraser Island

Loads of room inside the jeep!!!

Walking back from Lake Wabby, Fraser Island, I'm the one on front!

Donuts and me on the whale watching boat, Hervey Bay

A whale breaching the water

A whale 'tail slapping'

Time has flown by, having a fantastic time.

We caught a bus from Brisbane to Noosa, unfotunately we only had a night there. It's a real surfers town with an absolutely stunning beach. We did, however, have to share a room with Grotbag herself yuck!! Would love to go back there to do a surfing course.

Then it was straight to Hervey Bay for our 4WD trip to Fraser Island. We started VERY early and had to sit through 2 very cheesy videos on what not to do on the island. Basically DO NOT FEED THE DINGOS!!!

It's the biggest sand island in the world,175 KM long with a 75km beach. Got more sand than the Sahara apparently! I'm still finding it in the most odd places!!

Met the rest of our group at the hostel a real mix of nationalities and ages - English (unfortunately), Lebanese, Mexican, Swedish, Dutch and Belgian, 9 of us altogether. Collected our car and camping stuff and set off. Didn't get of to the best of starts when we got a puncture before we even got of the ferry, managed to change the tyre (not me obviously, I was supervising!) to find that too had a puncture, so third time lucky!

First stop was Mackenzie lake which is a massive freshwater lake with beautiful white sand. Managed to disturb the peace with a game of water rugby then set of for the camp site. We lost our map in the first 5 minutes so guessed which camp site to go to. We were all pleased with ourselves having put up our tents and cooked a barbie when the ranger pulled up..... we managed to camp in the only area on the entire island we weren't allowed to, it has the busiest dingo activity. She didn't seem too bothered as long as we monitored their activity, she even pulled a toy dingo out of her bum bag to illustrate their markings, what an exciting life she must lead!!

Had a fairly uneventful night, only saw 4 dingos. We were told we were safe as long as we shouted "DINGO" at them. It seemed to work anyway!

The second day was the best with a start at Eli creek which is basically a shallow river with an extremely strong current that carries you all the way down. A natural flume. We found it works better if you use an Eskie lid to float on. Managed to shatter the peace again with the who can surf the furthest on an eskie lid game. I was rubbish! Next stop was a shipwreck before walking up to one of the highest points on the island. Absolutely amazing views (running out of descriptive words!!) Saw loads of Tiger sharks, stingrays and whales.

Last stop of the day was the Champagne pools which is an area of rock pools where the sea washes into, natural hot(ish) tubs with pretty fish in. The only area where you can go in the sea due to the sneaky sharks and strong currents. Ended up camping in the right area this time, due to the handy map the dingo ranger gave us. We were right on the beach.

Third day was back to Eli creek, best way to wake up, before heading to Lake Wabby. A bit of a hike over sand dunes but more than worth it. The lake is at the bottom of a massive sand dune, so yet more shattering of the peace with who can do the most dramatic dive game.

Unfortunately that was all we had time for. There were soooo many highlights of the trip, one of the main ones driving along the beach and the amazing views and scenery. It's extremely hard to do the place justice in words. We were very lucky with the group we had, most of us are still together up here in Airlie Beach.

The day after we got back from the island we went whale watching, saw loads and loads, mainly mothers and their pups. They were being taught survival skills before heading to Antartica. So we saw tail bashing and breaching (to use the technical terms!)One of the best sights I have ever seen, they came right up to the boat.

I'll put piccies up when I get to Cairns in 5 days. I'm of sailing round the Whitsundays for 2 days tomorrow. Chilling at the lagoon today. I'm behaving myself and being a good girrrrlllll,Mum, bed by 9:30 every night xxxx

Finally arrived in Brisbane after 3 flights and 24 hours. I did have 200 SAGA holidaymakers to keep me amused though!

Brisbane is a beautiful city, got lots of little bits and pieces to see plus a random nepalese pagoda and a beach in the middle of the city. Had a really nice few days wandering round the botanical gardens, going on a ferry up and down, up and down, up and down the river, wondering what makes all the strange noises coming from the trees and sorting out travel stuff. Donuts managed to chose a train that didn't go anywhere on Weds so he didn't go to work and was able to show me round the city. Although after 3 months of staying here his tour consisted of 'that's the river', 'that's the gardens', and 'not sure what that is' He is very good at chosing beer though!

Met loads of really lovely people already and also a few really odd ones. A particularly 'interesting' example is a french guy who shares our room. He claims to hunt lions and wears a lion's toe nail round his neck at all times hhhhhhmmmmmmmmmm!!

Donuts is on good form and has done a fantastic job of organising our trip. He's even made a wee calender with our schedule of events! He also has a few interesting stories to tell - for those of you that know him make sure you ask him why he's been given the nickname 'squeaky' by the people staying at the hostel!

We head of tomorrow (let me just consult my schedule) to Noosa for a night where I think we're going kayaking in the everglades.The rest of the trip is: (so you can follow on the map Mum!)

18th - a 3 day self drive on Fraser island, we're given a 4WD and a tent and we drive round the island with several other people.

22nd - Airlie beach where we go sailing for 3 days round the Whitsundays, really looking forward to this.

26th - Cairns not sure what I'll do here as Donuts is off on a diving course, sure I'll find something! When he's done that we're probably going to head up to Cape Tribulation and see crocodiles, do do some canopy flying and some other fun stuff.

6th Oct - Fly to Alice Springs and do a 3 day tour round Ayers rock, Donuts is convinced we're going to sleep under the stars but I think I may opt for the tent after hearing about all the nasty wee beasties.(still haven't seen the toilet spider Dad!)

11th Oct - going on a groovy grape to Adelaide where we hire a car and drive the great ocean road. Hopefully going to do a Tiger Moth flight over the 12 apostles.

16th - Melbourne!

Reckon I'm almost over the jet lag, it does make everything very fuzzy for a while though, had to keep telling myself I was in Oz. Of to a music festival down in the Valley tonight with some lovely dutch people we've met. I have got lots of photos already and will put them up when Donuts gets back and can tell me how I get them of the camera onto the computer.

Well that's all for now, having a fantastic time miss you all. Hugs, kisses and all that sopppy stuff xxxxxxx