27th nov - 1st dec 

welcome to the next edition of my travels in paradise...

we returned from our most amazing boat trip around the whitsunday islands yesterday morning and miss it alrEADy! we set off on tuesday morning and met the crew of POWERPLAY and passengers we would be spending the next 3 days with. it was about a 2 hour journey out to our first destination, and all the girls were straight out the front, sunbathing on the deck and in the jacuzzi. we had the most amazing dive at our first stop - blue pearl bay. we couldn't believe how beautiful and much more colourful the coral was here. we must have seen mORE than a million fish but no sharks this time (luckily). we went with the diving instructor kyla, and phil (who we made friends with from the crew) - just the four of us. later on after lounging in the jacuzzi, we decided... somehow, that we might attempt a night dive! so, at 7.45 the captain took us out in the dingy and we swam around for a while with our little torches. the whole time i was clinging onto charlotte's arm even though she kept trying to push me off! it was a pretty scary experience but i'm glad i went. everyone cheered as we got back on board, as before we went they were saying things like 'do u have an ipod...... can i have it when u don't come back!' and pretending it was the last time we would see them! mel the chef served a delicious buffet with freshly barbecued chicken, salads and fresh fruit and then we all sat around the main area and watched all the photos and videos that had been taken that day.

the next morning we were up nice and early, around 6ish to get ready for the next dive. we drove round to mantaray bay (where they don't actually have mantarays) and phil & mel took us on our next dive. the coral was sO beautiful in so many shapes sizes and colours. my favourite one was like an ultra-violet flourescent blue colour with bright coloured fish swimming all around it. the favourite fish i saw was the parrot fish who followed us around with a whole bunch of yellow tail fish. it was amazing when we turned and looked up to see the sun shining through the surface with all these fish swimming around us. the rest of my day was pretty chilled out. decided to cook myself out on the deck (yes mum, i did wear a LOT of suncream!) and as a result took off the blue glow of my white skin that i had before. i also took a ride with the captain in the dingy picking up the snorkellers at the next bay (luncheon bay) and i put on my mask and snorkel so i could see charlotte and phil diving! we took another 2 hour trip around the whitsundays to whitehaven beach where we spent the rest of the afternoon. the view was something i can't even describe. the beach is meant to be in the top ten beaches in the world - its pretty spectacular with its white white sands and swirling clear turquoise waters. we drove back to a sheltered bay for the night and again had an amazing meal with bbq'd steak and sausages and then watched tHE most funny slideshow of our photoshoot at whitehaven beach with mel - you know trying to create people pyramids, jumping in the air etc. and LOTS of funny videos!

when i woke up the next morning around 5.30 i could tell it was going to be a little bit choppy so took my sea sickness tablets to be sure. we headed off to our last island for the last dive at 7am. we took daniel with us this time (who was a 1st time diver) and went in search for sharks and turtles. kyla found a snorkel on the ocean floor and then another and then suDDenly........ she saw a turtle!!! we were so so excited and followed it around for a little while whilst filming its little journey on camera. i have now fallen in love with turtles! we headed for shore on what ended up to be a pretty rough journey (lots of people felt vERY ill) - not me tho and were given a POWERPLAY tshirt yehoo (because we did so many dives). some of the team met up later on at the beaches bar (where we have been staying) and we had an awesome night out, followed by a midnight swim in the lagoon.

its now 5 in the evening and we are filling in time before we catch our 13hour coach trip to hervey bay where we will be going on a 4WD camping adventure at fraser island. the beaches there are meant to be almost as beautiful as whitehaven (the sand squeaks as you walk through it as it is pure silicone - which glass is made from!) we will also be able to stand at indian head and watch sharks, turtles and dolphins swim past. we have just had lunch with phil and stephanie (who we went out with last night) and been swimming in the lagoon.

will be in touch sOON. hope you are well.

emma xx