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Hey!!
Sorry its been so long since the last blog, wow what an amzing two weeks in oz already!
Ok so last time we wrote we were about to do a sky dive, one of the best things we have ever done. We got picked up from Cairns and travelled by mini bus to Mission beach (2 hours drive). When we arrived at the beach we watched people "drop" down as we were the last group to go. The beach we were going to land on was perfect, one side was lush green rainforest and the sea had the great barrier reef. Obviously we were getting nervous, but also very excited. When it was our turn to go the people put the straps on us and took us to the bus to get the plane. The plane was tiny, only a hand full jump as there isnt enough room in the plane. The plane ride itself was an experience (really started to get nervous by this point) the door was see through so the view was spectacular, mountains, rainforest, ocean and the great barrier reef. Once we reached 14,000 feet the engine slowed down and we all jumped out one by one (well with the instructor on our backs). The jump was weird, just didnt seem right jumping out of a plane (kind of get pushed by the man on your back), but once we jumped it was so relaxing and un scary... we were plumiting at 200km an hour for 60 seconds (my mouth and lips were all over the place, i think me top lip covered my whole nose). Because you are so high you dont really see the ground coming towards you, everything seems quite still. After a minute the parachute opened (with a sudden jerk) and we slowly travelled down the remaining few thousand feet over the barrier reef and rainforest landing on a crisp white beach....could life get any better?
We stayed in Mission Beach for the night before travelling down to Townsville. Townsville was really nice, similar to Cairns, we went drinking to a bar and got talking to two local Australian women (around 40)...told us where is best to go around the area (they were just like Kath and kim...Look at moey) and at one point one even said "your terrible muriel" (from the oz film muriels wedding)...brilliant we had finally met some real australian people!! Townsville also had a great bar too, they brewed their own ale, need i say anymore... fantastic!
A couple of kilometers out to sea is Magnetic Island, really small island with the biggest koala sanctuary. We visited the sanctuary and got to see the koalas, even got to hold a snake, parrot and crocodile (the new steve irwins apparently). Magnetic Island is really nice, there are some really modern apartments being built (obviously went and had a sneaky peak)... i need one.
After Magnetic island we decided to hire a car for three days to drive to the outback, really good driving after all this time, sooo easy though the car was automatic and the roads were straight for hours at a time. We drove the 950km to Mount Isa, a remote mining town. The towns we travelled through were so weird (very remote and looked like something from a western film) but it was such a good experience, seen lots of dead roos on the side of the road...never a living one sadly, but we did see some emus. It was great to have the freedom to stop and go where ever we wanted, drove to some great lakes, and we saved money on accomadation by sleeping in the car for three nights....
When we got back to townsville we gave the car back and got the bus to Airlie beach...we couldnt wait to have a shower, quite smelly after 3 nights in a car. Airlie beach is where all backpackers and tourists come to get the boat around whitsunday islands, really nice place, again like the other towns here there is a lagoon (a public swimming pool) which is great to catch some rays. There is a really good atmosphere around here (like everywhere) and good to go for a few beers. We tried kangaroo steak here too (not like chicken, like beef though).
After two nights on Airlie beach we got on our sailing boat and headed for the islands... The whitsunday islands have the nicest beach we have ever been on. Looking forward to posting some pictures on the site when we can, you need to see it to believe it. The sand squeaks when you walk on it, its sooo fine you can polich your jewellery in it, Ryans watch looks brand new.
The boat was great, we had two nights on there with around 20 other really cool people. We slept under the stars and watched shooting stars all night! In the morning we went sailing and got to see whales splashing around. The snorkling was fantastic, no sharks, but loads of tropical fish and colourful coral. The food on board was great, even got to have a cup of tea and biscuits.... been craving for it so was very excited.
We are off to Hervey Bay tonight (over night bus) this is where the fraser island tour goes from.
Update you all soon and i hope i havnt left too much out.... well we need to have something to say when we come home.
Lots of love Bryn and Ryan xx
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