Hey Everyone,

Long time no write. As you have probably seen STA Travel had written as off as being back home as we had not updated the website in over 2 months. So large apologies from both of us. I think we had just got incredibly lazy and used to the backpacker life. How time fly's. We promise photos are on their way we just need to get the energy up to go find a computer that will let us upload our albums.

Anyways I am going to delve deep into the memory bank and tell you about some of our adventures while in the Whitsundays so excuse me if I miss anything out the old brain has got a bit frazzled by the sun.

After Cairns we bused it down to Airlie Beach to stay in the location of famous sailing and the white whitehaven beach where the sand is supposed to squeek under your feet. (It did!!!) While there James and I promptly signed up for a 6 day sailing course, to gain our Competent Crew Certificate, around the Whitsunday islands. Unfortunately there was a mix up with the booking and there was not enough room for us on the boat on our chosen dates so it was postponed for a week. As an apology the company booked us onto a "luxury racing yacht" (I empahise the company's words) where we could see the islands, beaches and swim and snorkell for 2 days on top of this they gave us 70% off of the price. We couldnt turn this offer down and so before we knew it we were sitting at the harbour surrounded by luxury yahts and groups of young lads with crates (not just one) of beer. We looked at each other and then the young testerone filled teenagers eagerly waiting for their chance to get on a booze cruise and we suddenly realised what these 2 days meant alcohol, little sleep and then eventually sea sickness for just about everyone.

The yacht was lovely it was pure white with dark blue sails that seemed to reach up to the fluffy clouds and clear blue sky. We put our positive faces on and stepped aboard and waved goodbye to our cosy hostel room and abundance of sleep. The trip started off quietly and then can you believe it we actually had a brilliant time, all thanks to a group of three lovely, cheeky Irish guys. They were full of mischief and made our tummy's hurt with laughter for the entire trip. We managed to see some whales and a gorgeous eagle who once whistled would swoop down from his/her nest in the surrounding islands foliage and capture whatever the whistling captain deciding to throw into the water. It was a magnificent site.

After the trip we boarded another boat, only a 29ft yaht this time named 007, to start our sailing course. I dont know if James would agree but it was hard going. It stated in the manual that it was an intensive course and those without prior sailing experience should go and seek some before considering the course. We agreed on reading this that it did not apply to us as we had both sat on a boat and we had had that 3 days on the booze cruise. That surely counted for experience didnt it? Well it did for James who was a natural and even adopted the captain status for himself when shouting instructions at me. I soon got the hang of it though and was tying knots in ropes and sliding all over the boat like the best of them I even got sea sickness on the last day. We saw some wonderful sites such as seeing whales breaching the water, sailing through the middle of and dodging expensive yachts in the famous Hamilton Island yacht race, and snorkelling in the barrier reef. Would you believe after all that we actually found time to pass the course. I dont know if any of you reading this would be brave enough to let James and I helm a yacht for a week though.

After getting our feet back onto solid ground and once everything stopped swaying we booked ourselves onto a bus and headed down to Brisbane.

To be continued....................................... xx