Hi all! since I last wrote I have been having lots of adventures! Shipwrecks, Sailing, driving 4x4s and camping with randoms and dingos! Great fun!

I'll start last wednesday when we got up early for our Frazer Island briefing and met our group for the next 3 days. There were 7 of us in total in our van plus the other group who we stayed with for most of the trip. We made really good friends with these two GIRLS! from our 4x4 - Jade and Charlotte. We also had a German guy - Alex, Michele from Denmark and Dave from Hertfodshire. Once the van was loaded up with the camping gear and we had bought all of our food and booze we set off for the ferry. We were so lucky that the weather was perfect for our 3 days on the island, which is the largest sand island in the world. it was much bigger than I expected (a lot bigger than Guern) with only bumpy dirt tracks to get around on as well as 75 km beach. Awesome! My back is still suffering from all the bumps but it was worth it. Parn you would love it!

Alex was our main driver and such an expert - we were the only group we came across who hadn't got stuck or had something wrong with the 4x4. Our first stop was Lake McKenzie, a beautiful freshwater lake which reminded me a lot of Maya Bay. You could literally drink the water it was so pure and clear. We then headed to 75km beach to find a good camping spot on the beach. Had a bbq for dinner then played drinking games with some other groups we had met and chilled out watching the stars. More shooting stars there than I have ever seen! Alex plays the digerydoo(spl?) so we all had a go and listened to him play. All the while watching out for dingos which apparently have been known to attack! great!

The next morning we woke up at sunrise, packed up the van (affectionatley known as Gertrude) and headed down the beach to Eli Creek. Once again the freshwater was beautiful. Then up to the Maheno shipwreck which looked so eerie lodged in the sand. We then passed a group of about 10 4x4s trying to get over a sand bank at Indian Head. With Alex as our driver we powered straight through, cheering and laughing at the others stuck in the sand. Such an awesome moment! Good team bonding! We went for a swim at the Champaign Pools which are natural rockpools which fill up and fizz at high tide. Luckily we were the first group here so we had the whole place to ourselves. Bliss! Once it got too crowded we went up to Indian Head to watch the sharks, dolphins and Stingrays which cirlce the island. You cant actually swim in the sea off Fraser because of these badboys and also because of the tides and the jellyfish of which we saw lots washed up on the beach.

Feeling rebelious and over-confident, we headed up the coast to Wabby Point where only private cars are meant to go. We got a few dodgy looks and 'are you lost's as our big truck powered up the narrow tracks, but it was all worth it. The beach was deserted and stunning with sand bars on the shore line creating still pools of water along the coast. The untouched sand looked like something out of a postcard so we spent a good hour jumping and doing stupid poses for photos. We then climbed up this huge sand dune and ran down it trying to sand surf. Such a good afternoon and such a beautiful place.

Back to 75km beach to find another camping spot. Driving along the beach with the music playing and the sun setting was such a highlight. Made me feel at home. Had been a bit concerned about driving such a big vehicle but it turned out to be pretty easy. managed to burn my leg on a camping stove (another scar of my travels) but after a few drinks I was fine! I also realised that somehow I'd managed to lose my clothes that I'd been wearing that day!!!! I wish I could say that this was due to somthing more exciting but it turns out I left them at the Champagne Pools and seeing as Idriven in my bikini all day I didnt realise until it was too late! More room in the backpack though! Also this week lost my ipod charger and the disposable camera I bought to replace the broken one. At this rate ill be coming home without a bag!!!

The final day on Fraser we went to watch turtles in Lake Allum the headed to Lake Wabby which was stunning and the deepest on the island. walked over a km downhill to get to it then after a swim marched back to the top in the heat. Hard work! With only a few hours left we went back to Lake McKenzie for a swim, by which time we were seriously low on the petrol front! Luckily we made it back and within a few hours we had dropped off gertrude and were back at the hostel. This was Australia day so despite feeling shattered from our trip we HAD to go out. Although Hervey Bay want the most exciting place we had a great night out in Moroccos. It was just like being out at home as we knew nearly half the club either from the island or just from traveling up the coast. Was such a good atmosphere and the locals went crazy! Craweled into bed at about 5.30 (have seen the sunrise far too many times now!)

All in all the trip was brilliant. We were so lucky to have such a good group and such good weather. Plus, everyone knows I love camping so I was in my element! Next stop.......Airlie Beach!