G'day peeps!!

Greetings from Oz!! Well, we have certainly covered some distance since arriving in Oz. It has been a fantastic four weeks so far :-)

Our first stop was Cairns. We stayed at a hostel called Gilligans which was really nice Five star backpackers!! I know, I didn't think that could go in the same sentance either but it was a really nice hostel!!! It's always good to treat yourself now and then...hehe :-)

In Cairns we met up with our friends from home Harvey and Lisa. It was sooooo lovely to see them. That night they invited us for a BBQ at their Campsite. It was great fun catching up and exchanging travel tales. The following day, we met for lunch and then took a walk along Cairns' Lagoon and relaxed in the sun. That evening we went out for the Night in Cairns. We started the evening in Gilligans Bar and ended the night in an Irish Bar called PJ OBrians. We had a wicked two days together and It was so great to see them :-).

During our time in Cairns, we also took a day trip to Cape Tribulation. The first aspect of the trip was a Crocodile cruise over Daintree River! Well.....as you can imagine...I was a tad nervous about this trip. As most of you know, my fear in Oz is being attacked by a crocodile (Typical Brit I know!!). But it was great fun seeing the Crocs, and I even managed to bring myslef to take some pictures!! From there we travelled to Cape Tribulation and spent some time having an explore and on the beach. This was a great day trip :-)

From Cairns, we took the good old Greyhound down to Mission Beach. We stopped here for a couple of days and then made our way down to Townsville to see Magnetic Island.Well, Townsville was an um Interesting place!! We only stopped the night but we think the hostel we stayed in gave Rachie those lovely things called Bed Bugs!!! Enough said about Townsville!!!

From Townsville we took the ferry to Magnetic Island. I loved Magnetic Island, it's such a lovely place :-) It gets the joey thumbs up...hehe:-) We stayed at a really nice resort called Bungalow Bay Kaola Village. This was one of my favourite resorts so far as it is situated in a wildlife park and the dorms are wooden A frame huts which were really cool!!! During our stay we visited the adjacent wild life park. At the Wildlife park, we had our pictures taken holding a Koala.....I know, It just had to be done...hehe :-). I also guys took crazy pills that morning and thought it would be fun to hold a python as well!! I have to admit however that I did get slightly nervous when it stared to move around my body and I quickly handed it back to the keeper!!! The tour also incorporated a bush walk which was alot of fun!! At Koala Village we also met some really nice girls Katie and Tina who we still bump into now along the way. On the friday night, we went out for a few drinks with the girls which was a good giggle!!! The following day, we all relaxed at the beach.

From Townsville, our next stop was Airlie Beach. From Airlie Beach, we took a 3 day two night sailing trip around the Whitsundays. Our Boat, Broomstick, was a Maxi Sailing Yatch where the crew encouraged everyone to help out on the boat with jobs like steering the ship and hoisting the sales etc. Me and Rachie both had the opportunity to sail the Yatch!! This was hilarious fun. Well, you know me, I'm not the strongest person in the world and I had a full on "concentration tongue" going on whilst I was trying to steer the ship. It is harder than it looks I can tell you guys!!! I think the crew found this rather amuzing and I did get teased about it. Oh well, it's all part of the fun eh!!. I don't think sailing is really my forte lol:-)

This trip was the highlight of Oz for me so far and it was so much fun :-). Me and Rachie got on really well with the crew, Judd who thought he was a right stud, Willow and Andy. They were certainly a crazy bunch and really entertained the passengers. During the trip we had a couple of snorkelling sessions where we had a chance to explore the Barrier reef. This was wicked although, I have to admit, I was gutted not to see a Nemo!!!I know peeps I have snorkelled in the Barrier reef and didn't see a Nemo! :-( I did see a Dorey though so I was chuffed about that.

On the trip, we also stopped off for a few hours at Whitehaven Beach. This Beach was beautiful and it was so nice to relax and soak up the sun. We also had some interesting evenings on the boat!!! I don't think wine and sailing are really a good mix....Whoops!!! Me and Rachie did get rather tiddly on the boat and I think it took us a few days to recover once we got back to land...tee hee hee :-). The trip was so much fun.

To be contd peeps!!