Ok have loads to write so gonna be another long one! On Sunday after writing my last entry we had a walk round and ended up at the harbour terminal where all the tours take off. We picked up a few leaflets and decided to do one there and then as we weren't sure what else to do! So we booked a trip to Green Island, we had to rush as booked it at 10.20am and the boat left at 10.30! So we took a boat out to the island, it took about 45mins. The island was lovely. The water was pretty clear and you could see the fish through it. The beaches were really sandy, almost white in colour so very nice! We took a glass bottom boat out into the reef which was really good because the water was so clear so we got to see loads of fish. Then we took a walk through the rainforest and sat on the beach for a while. We managed to find a bit of beach at the back of the island which had no-one else on it so it was really peaceful. They had a bbq nearby on one of the other beaches so we had some food from that, was a really good day. Then we got the boat back to the main island. We then booked some tours for the next few days before heading back to the hostel for dinner. We then went to check out the Night Market nearby. It was pretty good, not very big but enough to spend an hour or so looking round, then we headed back to the hostel for some much needed sleep! :0) Yesterday we were up early as we had to be at the harbour terminal for 7.45am. We were going snorkelling in the barrier reef, yay! There was quite a few of us on the boat, must've been at least 30. The boat ride took 2 hours to get to our first stop so during this time we were given our snorkel, mask and fins and given instructions on how to use them and those that were diving got told what to do. We then changed into our wetsuits (which was very interesting as the boat was rocking so much from the choppy wind that everyone was falling all over the place!) We then went in the water and snorkelled for about an hour before having lunch. It was AMAZING!!! The fish are unbelievable, so big and the colours were incredible. You can get really close which was good. I was quite nervous at first as we were expecting to go to an island and to be snorkelling in shallow water but we actually stopped the boat in the middle of the ocean!! I couldn't help but think of all the shark related films that I've seen! lol But even though it was deep water the coral is all near the top anyway so even though we didn't dive we didn't miss much. We saw some turtles, a Nemo fish and many more. We bought a couple of underwater cameras so hopefully the pics from those will come out. The only thing that wasn't so great was the weather. It was soooo windy that the waves were huge so water kept going down the snorkel and into our mouths, it was horrible! Extremely salty, more so than in our sea back home so wasn't nice at all! After lunch (a buffet of cold meats, salad, pasta etc) the boat moved to another part of the reef. We then went out again for a good 2 hours this time. Amazing how quickly the time goes! We were exhausted afterwards, at the time you forget your spending the whole time swimming so you use energy without realising it. I've never swam for so long in one go before! lol We then got back on the boat and got changed (another interesting exp as boat was rocking once again plus there was no changing rooms and only 2 loos so everyone was all over the place! Very hard to get dry!) Then it was a 2 hour boat ride back to the main land. Unfortunately the drama did not end there, as I was unforunately sick on the boat :0( Surprisingly enough it was not entirely due to the rockyness of the waves but from swallowing so much sea water! lol. When we got back we went straight to the hostel to change and shower, stupid hostel didn't have any hot water left so had a cold shower which did not help!!! After that we headed back into town as we were given free meal vouchers when we booked our reef tour so we went to have them before going back to the hostel. Today we were up early again as we were being picked up at 7.55am plus we had to check out of our hostel. We were going on a tour today which would take us to visit rainforests, waterfalls, a dairy farm and a lake cruise. Our minibus arrived and much to our surprise was full of OAPs!!! lol. You know your on a bus with oldies when the first question the driver asks is 'has everyone taken their pills today?'!!!! Luckily it wasn't as bad as we feared, there was one family of 4 on there and we did meet some nice people. We started off by going for a cruise on Lake Barrine, which is basically a dormant volcano which has been filled with rainwater. It deepest point is 65m! We saw eels, pelicans, lizards and snakes. Then we had tea and scones at a little tea room overlooking the lake. We then drove to see 3 waterfalls, each one was at a different location. They were really good, much better than the ones we've seen so far as apparently theres been pretty much non stop rain in Cairns for the last 3 months! Luckily there was none today! Then we went to a dairy farm and sampled some locally produced organic cheese. We tried a really nice one which had paprika in it, was really good! Then we drove to our lunch spot which was another waterfall. We had a 3 course meal overlooking the falls which was really good. We were on a long table so everyone was able to get to know each other better. We got talking to a group from Canada who were really nice, wanted to know all about England. The old man asked me if I'd met the queen!! And what we thought of Harry and William! Seems people outside of england are more interested in royalty than we are! After that we headed to Paronella Park which was lovely. It was built by a man over a period of 6yrs and has got a spanish castles in it, a huge waterfall and loads of other little places (google it to find out more!). Definitely worth a visit. Though one thing I did not like was 'The Tunnel Of Love' which was full of bats! Didn't like walking in there in the dark thats for sure! lol Then we got dropped back at our hostel (got loads of 'goodbyes' and 'enjoy the rest of your trip' from our new friends! lol) We are now trying desperately to kill some time. We are flying to Brisbane at 6.10am tomorrow morning so have not booked a hostel for tonight as not much point as would need to check out at 4am. So the plan is to stay in the town until late then go to the airport and stay there until we can check in. We have been for another free meal which we got from our tour today and then we went round the shops and had an ice cream. Tomorrow we are being picked up at the airport at 8.10am by Katrina. We are then going to Movie World or Sea World with her and possibly her nephews. Not sure what the plan is for thurs and fri but on saturday we go to Ali's cousins house and we are staying with her that night. On Sunday we are going to the Australia Zoo, which is where the famous Steve Irwin works! He's supposed to be there on Sunday too so might get to see him! Hope this wasn't too long!! Have a good day!! Becky xxxxxx