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The real travellling down the east coast of Oz commenced in the last few days leaving Cairns a fading memory already. Going down the usual paths first, the rain continued solidly in Cairns and then in Mission Beach but it's looking a bit brighter where we are now!
Unfortunately the White water rafting didn't happen as the thursday proved to be the one day they weren't operating so i'll have to keep my eyes open for a similar opportunity. We ended up going out on the wednesday night therefore with the enticement of 10 dollars (roughly 4 pounds) for an hour of free drinks proving the deciding factor as it's not half as easy as thailand to get to the end of the night having spent the UK equivalent of a tenner. Before doing so we bore witness to the 'state of origin' rugby league match between NSW and QLD (the biggest non international match in Oz) with a horde of screaming locals. Whilst out we bumped into a couple of MGS lads (Luke James/danny bailey) who i knew were out there which was absolutely brilliant.
Thursday was a bit of a write-off, we allowed ourself a lie in after the previous nights dancing exertions and then headed in to town, just as, you guessed it, the heavens opened. Undetered in our shorts and vests we made the most of the opportunity to add to the illusion of being at home, with some fish and chips for me and some chips and gravy for Taz ( the coventry boy showing his recently found love for northern culture). I also took this opportunity to have an ice cream, it just had to be done, we looked crazy enough in shorts and vests as it was.
Friday brought about the first journey on the Oz bus which is our vessel of choice to go all the way to Sydney. First destination was Mission Beach, with a stop off at a croc farm on the way. The croc farm is one of the highlights so far though. Upon entry a baby croc was available to hold which was a really bizarre experience, you just can't describe what it felt like. There was also a snake readily available which the keeper ever so kindly put round my neck, whilst i was holding the baby croc, worry only set in when a slight squeeze was felt but that was just her being friendly....... obviously, 'whinging pom' was the keepers response! We then headed on through to a large grassy area to meet the Roo's which was really cool. A tour of the crocs at feeding time followed, cummulting in Mick, the boss, sitting on top of greg, a 5m croc who'd been attributed with the direct responsibility for the death of 50 cattle in a year and thus captured. Mick thoughtfully placed his sun hat on the crocs head informing us of the importance of shielding ourselves from UV rays. A further surprise was in store as we left as some satay crocodile was offered to the group. It was wierd to eat, texture halfway in between fish and chicken but with no clear taste, but another opportunity that had to be taken. Mission Beach was pretty impressive but a beach without the sun out doesn't have much appeal. I did have to pop 5k down the coast to the post office on the hostel bus to post something home (hands off folks) and then ran back down the beach with my legs severely moaning they shouldn't be doing that sort of thing in the close season. A quiet night at Scottys Beach house later and it was time to re-board the Oz bus en route to Maggy (Magnetic island).
We got the ferry over to Maggy mid afternoon yesterday staying at a true backpackers resort called Base which it would have been nice to stay at longer but with time pressing only one night could be spent. This was to be the first experience of true dorm accomodation in an 8 bed (4 bunk bed dorm). My dorm mates for the night consisted of 3 danish girls from the Oz bus, 2 english girls and 2 german girls, now i'm sure there's a positive lying in there somewhere. A traffic light event (in relation to availibility, red = stop etc) was held in the hostel bar which was good to get to know a few more people and have a good laugh. One of the danish girls clearly had too much of a good time and the fact that she needed to get on a top bunk didn't help, this led to a surreal lifting/pushing involing me and the other 2 to get her up there in the early hours.
Today we just pretty much made our way to Airlie Beach and here i am posting this. Got a day trip out on a boat around the whitsunday isles tomorrow which is a collection of 70 odd small islands. Most of the aformentionted things have related pictures which i'll get up asap.
As always, hope everythings good at home!
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