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We are now on our last week in Australia and its going way to quick for us. After the town of 1770 we travelled to Kroombit Cattle Station, and fortunately were on a bus full of people we had already met so we knew it was going to be a fun few days. The Cattle Station was set in thousands of acres of land in the middle of nowhere and had no luxuries - everything was old fashioned!! We got comfortable in our rooms and we decided to do the optional activity of horse riding. Martin was really nervous so they put him on a strong horse called Chrissy, and mine Buttons. We set off walking around the fields climbing over trees walking through rivers etc, for our first time horse riding, it wasn't an easy route! Mine was really stubborn, didnt want to move, and we felt uncomfortable kicking it like you are supposed too!! We then had to all spread out around the goats and muster them by shouting "hey up up up" to lead them to their pens. Martins horse was too interested in finding water and she ran off at one point - which was extremely funny. There was also one goat who apparently never wants to get in the pen, he kept running away from the pack, even though there was a least 12 horses trying to get him in, he was very clever - we later saw him in the afternoon alone in the field looking quite pleased with himself that he had done it again!!!
That evening we drove to the goat pen and learnt how to lasso, not using goats at this point. Was harder than it looked! Then in teams of 3 we were told to decide who was going to be the catcher, the lasso and the brander. Martin was best with the rope so he was the lasso and I was the catcher, not really knowing what that meant at that point. We then had to enter the pen of goats and the catcher had to run into the side pen, drag a goat by its horns into the pen where the lasso and brander was, for Martin to lasso it, and the third person to brand it. The goats were really strong and very quick runners, was a nightmare to drag them out of the pen, but everyone found it hilarious, as the one of the goats I happened to grab was the biggest goat in the pen!!! We didnt win!! The rest of the evening we learnt to crack a whip, again harder than it looks, and ride a mechanical bull, i think 90% of the group fell off in the first buck. We had a nice roast dinner and a few drinks before our 6am start the following day for a 10 hour journey.
The bus journey was fine as we had such a great group, we also stopped many times, even to have a competition on the bowling green - Martin won out of the men, which was good. We arrived in Airlie beach for about 6pm, quickly got our rooms sorted, and headed out for the oz experienece night out, lots of free drinks, so we were not feeling great the following day. Most people went on their Whitsunday Cruise the following day, but we had a spare day in airlie beach, which was a really nice town, had a beautiful lagoon and harbour. Our Whitsunday cruise was fantastic, we spent 2 nights and 2 days on our trimaran boat called avatar and our crew were hilarious, really made it entertaining. We were lucky to have 2 really hot days. We visited Whitehaven beach which is the whitest and most amazing beach ever, made out of pure silica not sand. We also stopped at 3 snorkelling destinations which I struggled with at first because there were thousands of fish swimming around you but towards the the end of the trip I was swimming amongst them and the coral and swimming after turtles, was really pleased!! Our skipper was also trying to help my fear of fish, so I also had to have the first go at sitting at the back of the boat with my feet in the water feeding and touching 5-6 bat fish, which were huge!! We really enjoyed the whole trip and would definatley do it again.
Back in airlie beach we had another night out for the after boat party, again lots of free drinks and games, was another good evening, as we had another nice group. After airlie beach, we went to Magnetic Island again with the over couple we've been with pretty much the whole time. Stayed in a hostel resort on the beach, rooms werent great, but there was a nice pool, and great evening entertainment. We went on a 10km hike the first day, the others turned back after 1km as it was extremely steep, but we kept going and completed it!! The views from the top of the mountain were worth it and we saw 2 wild Koalas which were on a branch head height across the path - was so amazing!! We bumped into one of old bus drivers in the evening, so more free drinks!!! The following day we went for another hike up the forts hill and saw more koalas!! Was a nice few days on the island.
We have just completed our last bus drive to Cairns, where we stopped at the Crocodile Farm, where we held a crocodile, a lizard, even a bird!! and a snake. We watched the feeding of the big crocodiles right up close, and fed the kangaroos and got close with the dingoes and emus. Saw the Cassowaries, obviosuly from behind bars, as they are the most dangerous bird in the world and can disembowel you with 1 kick!!
After another after party (more free drinks!!) We have decided that we are going to now relax in Cairns for a few days. We are going to head around town this afternoon and maybe take a swim in the lagoon. We have less than a week now and are not ready to leave yet!!! See you all soon xx
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