Hello People, We arrived in Airlie Beach just after lunch time on Friday (28th July) and were once again picked up by the hostel courtesy bus. We checked in dumped our bags and went off to the travel place next to our hostel to enquire about tours etc. One immediately caught Ems eye - The Flames of Polynesia - it only operates on Friday nights (luckily it was a Friday) but unluckliy the Ferry across to South Molle Island where it took place was full. After a good 30 minutes of trying to get on an earlier ferry and accomdation on the island rather than in Airle Beach we were only beaten by the price. We decided it was too exepnsive to stay on the island and we didn't really do anything instead except for eat pasta like some many other days. The next morning we wandered down to the sea front to find this wonderful Lagoon. Seemingly built to subsidise for the lack of beach. So we spent the moring sunning it by the Lagoon which had 50m swimming lane marked on the bottom for those who wanted to do a few lengths (i managed about 4 to Ems 0). Soon it was nearly lunch time and we wandered to Magnums to grab a bit to eat before our 1.30pm briefing on Sailing the Whitsundays. It wasn't long before we were walking down the Harbour (although i would never have made it if it wasn't for Em as i would've gone in completely the opposite direction) and boarded the Pride of Airle - a 34ft Catamaran. There were just over 50 people on the trip and we all sat on the deck in the scorching sunshine to take in the sights as we headed for the island resort. That evening we didn't do much other than have dinner play a few drinking games and dance on the tables - but it was fun nevertheless. (Em was also very happy as we sharing the dorm with 4 Irish girls who were a good laugh and happily offered her the use of their hair dryers and ghd straighteners) 7am Sunday - the alarms we singing so we duely arose and head down for breakfast - bacon 'n' eggs, toast, and/or cereal - and made our way to the end of the "Jitty" (or so the French skipper called it). We then set off and sailed around the south side of the second largest of the Whitsunday Islands - called Whitsunday Island (the largest being Australia) and had about 2 hours on Whitehaven Beach before sailing around the north side and back to the resort. The skies were a little cloudy and the sea was a little rough and a couple of people were a little ill over the side - i'm sure it didn't help that they also had little hangovers. Back at the resort island (South Molle) we had free use of all the hotle facilites - so we headed straight for the spa - and i also opted to go for a swim. The afternoon soon passed so we headed back to the room for a shower before dinner. The night then also contained drinking games but no dancing on tables this time. Sunday moring we were up just as early and ate the same for breakfast. Today we went to Hook Island were the skipper moored the catarman and we grabbed our snorkels and dived off the side into the cool water - a nice break from the burming sunshine. We saw some coral and severl colourful fish. It didn't seem likt we were in the water long but i'm sure it was nearly an hour or so. Once back on board it was time for lunch even tho it wasn't even noon. While we ate we headed back to o Airlie Beach where we changed hostels - cos it was cheaper and better doen the road and proceeded to head to a bar to meet up with people of the boat for one last time. Monday moring we set off on the 9.20 am bus to Townsville where we would catch the ferry to Magnetic Island. Will write again soon, keep the messages coming. Ems and Steve xxx