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Monday 16th April 2007
Journal brought to you by Sophie
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Today we were woken bright and early by the captain at 6am. I had had the best night?s sleep in a long long time. It was so good! Breakfast consisted of toast and cereal and it was yum. We all got ready in record time and then were shipped over to Whitehaven Island in a little dingy. We walked up to the look out point and got some absolutely outstanding views of the surrounding islands, the reef and of Whitehaven Beach. According to various sources Whitehaven Beach is the second most beautiful beach in the world. Having now been there I would definitely agree. When we got down there we were greeted by the whitest sand known to man and beautiful aquamarine water that sparkled in the sunlight. We quickly stripped off and donned our sexy stinger suits that were even better than the rash suits that we were surfing. It was like being in a supertight cat suit. So fetching. We all posed as Ninjas in them and did poses.  It was hilarious. I am really tempted to introduce them to England. We had to wear them because it is stinger season here in the Whitsundays and as I have said before the box jellyfish are extremely dangerous and can kill. While we were swimming in the water, stingrays came up around us and baby reef sharks. It was out of this world.
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When we were all relaxing on the beach it started raining and we all took cover under the trees. Then we all stopped and thought why the hell were we sheltering under the trees getting absolutely soaked and freezing our bums off when we could be in the warm water. So stupid. The rain soon passed and we had to make our way back to the boat after having a play with the Frisbee which Brian and I sucked at and everyone else was really good.Â
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We got back on the boat and had a delicious lunch. I know that you love hearing what we have to eat mother so I will fill you in. We had a potato and cheese bake (the meat eaters had a cold meat platter) with rice salad and an egg salad. It was sooo good. The best food we have eaten since leaving home. Nothing can beat home cooked food. I miss your concoctions mother and cauliflower cheese grills and Pizza Express dressing. I miss Pizza Express dressing so much. Oh God I want some now. Backpacker food is so bland because you can?t carry around sauce as it is messy and needs to stay in a fridge. Mum, please send me some Pizza Express dressing. PLEASE! Sorry went off on one there?
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We sailed then to a place called Mantaray Bay, which is apparently the best place to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef. We all threw on our stinger suits, snorkels, masks and flippers and launched ourselves into the water. I stayed out for a little while after everyone to take some photos, which actually turned out to be the best idea ever because I got to feed this massive fish (a Wrasse that the crew call Elvis) with some bread and he was so cool. I stroked him and we made really good friends J. The water was so clear and the coral looked like an underwater garden. There were hundreds of different types and they were all different colours and shapes and sizes. It was so amazing. One of the best experiences of my life. I saw fish of all types, zebra fish and multicoloured fish and small fish and big fish and ugly fish and beautiful fish and it was like being back at the aquarium but seeing the fish upclose and personal as opposed to threw a thick glass wall. It was great. I went in twice it was that good. The water was quite cold but not that bad, Tami thought that it was colder than the shark cage dive. I strongly disagree. Then we took off and went on to another place where we were going to park up for the night called Caves Cove. On our way there we were treated to Homer Simpson style doughnuts and mint chocolate biscuits. We were so spoilt. Some of us decided to go snorkeling again when we got to this next place and although the water was cloudier it was still really good. I did my exercise swimming around the boat against the current and then over the beach. I saw loads of fish again, even closer because the tide was out and I was practically scraping my stomach on the rock. I found this place a lot warmer to swim. I was the last on the boat and I had to be called in because I wasn?t allowed to swim on my own and I was still out there. Wooops.Â
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Dinner was spag bol and was yummy scrummy. We got garlic bread and salad and it was deliciouso. I was so stuffed by the end. The evening was spent sitting around on deck. I moved between the crazy Irish people and Nat and Tami and the English. By the end of the night there was me, an Irish girl called Laura and about 7 Irish guys left. I felt in a distinct minority and went to bed. It was a magnificent day and I had so much fun. Snorkeling is one of the most peaceful things on earth.
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