I have reached the point now, as the woman said I would, whereby although I know the date, just about, I have no idea what day of the week it is. I love it. Not here tonight so check out, put my backpack into storage for the day, $4. Then wait outside for what seems like forever for the pick up at 0900. (It arrived at 0910). Doing an Ocean Rafting Tour, which looks and sounds intriguing. $115. Departing at 0945 in, you guessed correctly, a large raft with motors, we set off at speed towards the Whitsundays with the deckhand, an Aussie called Willis, entertaining us as he would all day.

There are 74 islands in the Whitsundays, so named because that was the day on which Captain Cook 'discovered' them. The first stop was at an unassuming little cove, where we disembarked with nothing but cameras. Our bags were stored in boxes under the seats, our shoes in a boc at the front, to be returned to us as required, just once in this instance, as we walked up and through the embattled woodland for around 10 minutes, emerging to a sensational view of Whitehaven beach (of which more later).

After a period of chat and picture taking, we made our way back to the raft, which now took us around the isalnd to said beach, where we disembarked for lunch! I had bought my own, saving $14! The sand on Whitehaven beach is 98% silica, different from normal beaches - or as Willis describes them 'fish poo beaches.' The silica is formed due to the quartz pushing together. It is interestingly different from usual sand, much whiter and softer, and is good for exfoliating the skin. The water in the bay is a luscious blue, and I disappear into it up to my waist after a swift costume change behind a large rock. Seagulls circle and wait for food to be thrown up at them, Willis duly obliges. It is a beautiful place to eat.

After this we head off for a couple of snorkelling sessions off Grassy Island and in Mantaray Bay. It is very interesting to compare them to the Barrier Reef, it is different, less exotic and dramatic but beautiful nonetheless. There is large coral looking like miles of dead trees, a bit like our first ever look at Skaro. This time I have ventured in sans wetsuit, and it is noticeable by its absence! Lovely water, but after a little while the cold sets in. After a brief period to warm up we're in again noe far away, and here the excitement is for seomething else - fish, lots of them, and some big ones!

One, my old friend the Moon fish, is there. One fish that must have been 3ft long glides past, slowly blinking. An angry looking fish swims very close to my legs, at one point I am surrounded by hundreds of blue fish about 60cm in length. Once concluded, the trip back takes place, with occasional burtsts of speed taking us over 60mph. Exhilarating! An excellent way to spend seven hours.

I pick up my bag and head to the busstop, buying a sleeveless top for $10 on the way. Angst again - will the system work? But yes, again it is fine, and as the sun disappears we head off towards Hervey Bay. Some Sherlock Holmes on the I-Pod, I think.