So we'r back!!! the trip was AMAZING!!! we got picked up from our hostel at 6am and taken to the dive shop, where we put our diving equipment on a van, then drove to the harbour. The boat was ready to go, so we climbed on and ate breakfast!!even though we'd already had our cornflakes!!the boat was really nice, had 3main levels, we all assembled inside and were introduced to our instructors. We were told the journey could be a little rocky and would be best to stay outside and not in confined spaces. We were told our room numbers, Greg and I were upstairs on top deck and we had a bunk bed and enough floor space to put our bags, it was small but we only slept in there so thats all we needed! we were given Pro Dive water bottles which we could refil from the fountains on board. We said hello to our neighbours who later turned out to be our dive buddies and we had an awesome time with Jonny and Laura-who are in some pictures!they'r from Newquay and Laura lives right by Watergate Bay...small world!

The journey was pretty horrible, Greg said he can cope with big ferries and small boats but not one like this as its inbetween. He thought he was going to be sea sick so we got the paper bags ready, but some other guy was already spewing up which grossed me out, and i was the one who was sick-3times!!! wasnt looking forward to our first dive. We arrived at the reef and moored up at Milne Reef, and had our dive brief. We had the option to go with the guide-scuba steve, but we opted out!! so we listened to the directions he gave us and got ready to go.

So in we went and we went wrong straight away!!we got lost, but it was fine as the reef isnt that big and we didnt go to far away!!we saw loads of different types of fish,and then came back up when we didnt have enough air.

In total on the trip we did 11dives, two of them which were night dives.We saw loads of turtles, and saw about 4sharks, got a video of one which is on my facebook as it wont allow me to do it on here, so have a look if u can. There is the video of Greg doing his James Bond entry though which was so cool! The first night dive we went on i was sooooooo scared as it was pitch black when u jump in the water, and thats the worst bit, but as soon as u have descended its fine because you have ur torch to light up whatever you want to look at, and as there are other people around there is lots of light. The next dive we went out on our own, Greg, me, Jonny and Laura all jumped in and went for te dive, it was so much better as there weren't other lights around and we saw so much more, greg thinks he saw a shark, jonny lost his fin but it floated to the surface. The we threw fish in and sharks swam up to the boat. They were only white tip reef sharks but were still pretty big!! Then the next day early morning we came across a shark resting on the bottom, thats the video!it was so cool and because we followed the shark we ended completley in the wrong direction, we had swam to the other side of the reef to another mooring block, which we thought was ours but when we surfaced the boat was miles away(slight overexaggeration) so Musa one of the instructors came and got us in the dingy and we all held onto a rope and got a ride back. I was at the front and felt like i was going to get pushed off by the propellor it was hard to hold on!!

The rest of the dives were all amazing, saw nemo fish, trigger fish, bump headed parrot fish, coloured parrot fish, ras, tuna, loads more!!the coral was amzing, the sea was warm and so clear, but it also depeded on the weather and time of day. The early morning dives and first afternoon were the best. The food was sooooo good on the boat we had a cook, and we always got seconds, after each dive we got food, so we have eaten loads which makes a change from our rubbish noodles!!going to miss the food.

So back on land, and we felt so wobbly! that evening everyone met up and went for drinks. It was a huge laugh as all the instructors were so funny and got very drunk!!we went clubbing after to a place called the woolshed which is backpacker heaven, drink deals etc so it was so busy because was a friday night! but was fun. Greg and Jonny tried to swim in the lagoon but a security guard said if you want a $3000 fine then go ahead, so we left pretty quickly!

yesteray we spent the whole day by the lagoon just chilling by the pool, as there really is not a lot to do here in cairns unless u pay to do trips and things. Last night we went to the woolshed as we get vouchers for free meals, then on our walk home, we were going to see the sea as the tide was in and on our crossing the road we saw a kookaborough that was injured. We didnt want to leave it on the side of the road, so went to find a number we could ring. Noboday answered that so we tried about 4other numbers. The lady supposed to be on duty had had too many drinks so wouldnt be able to come and get it, so she asked could we put it in a box and she's come to our hostel in the morning to pick it up-now imagine what the hostel owners would say to that! So we asked the security guy and he said we could keep it in our room-NO WAY!!!! so laura and I went to find a box, and went through so many corridors where we told we would definitely find some empty boxes. And i kid you not, there was a hand written sign saying no boxes here!!so we took a polystyrene box back and jonny and Greg laughed at us, so we put it in. Then tried the lady again, whilst we did the sprinklers turned on, and we had to move the box as the bird was getting wet!!

In the end we spent over 2hours with this bird and ended up walking it to the polic station where they werent sure if they could accept it, but did, and would try and call the lady to drop it at her house!!relief after what seemed like hours, it was now 12.30pm!!!so we walked back, gave our butter to laura and jonny as we dont need it and went up to bed!This morning we had to wake up early and pack our bags making sure everything was ok for the flight, checked out and have spent the morning on the internet uploading things and writing this. We have until 8pm to waste doing not a lot til we can catch a taxi to the airport, then fly overnight to New Zealand. Arriving in Auckland at about 7am...havent heard back from Di so may have to stay a night in a hostel before we see them, as dont want to turn up straight away!!

So Oz is finished, it seems like we have been here a lot longer than 5weeks, think thats because we have crammed in so much in a short amount of time, and we now have 6weeks in New Zealand. Have been speaking to Ross (or Rossy for mum) and he says its getting colder so enjoy ur last hours of warmth!!and he's bought a snow board and is expecting snow in June, so we may be able to ski at the end of our trip. Told me about a sky dive in Taupo at 15000ft which costs about 200pounds, so we'l see, but that would be sooo cool!!

Where are my family by the way?i havent heard anything from u guys in ages?and megs hasnt been on facebook which is a rarity!!have u gone away?is it half term or something?!sya hi to gran ifu went to visit?!

speak when we'r in New Zealand, love from us both xxxxxxxxx