WOW WOW WOW!!!!

Well since Bryon Bay we've had glorious sunshine and triple the fun :) The Gold Coast was very nice, spent a little time 'sun-baking' (as they say down-under, lol) and then had several battles with the sea - didn't go in very far but the waves still covered me and Lauren, was rather amusing at one point when the waves hit our knees and we were both flung into the sea :) Good fun. Ended the day doing some serious partying with the group at the club 'Sin City' - it was ladies night so had free drinks all night, have a new favourite drink: cava and raspberry liquor, divine :) Was up at 5.30am however so no so divine at that time of the morning for some, managed to recover in Brisbane where we did some shopping - couldn't resist buying shoes (maybe 2 pairs, lol, in the sale). There was rather a lot of time spent in the coach from Brisbane to the ferry for Fraser Island but it was well worth it just for being able to see & tour Fraser Island - had a fantastic time - WOW!!!

Our accommodation at the Kingfisher Bay Resort was named 'Wilderness Lodge' and it was certainly in the wilderness, away from the main resort - serious backpacker style now :) It added to the adventure the girls and I (5 of us: Cathrine, Lauren, Ellie, Richard and me) undertook whilst on Fraser Island. Decided to hire a 4WD truck as the organized 'bus' tour was $169 and none of us wanted to be on a bus after the coach drive to Fraser and pay over the odds! 4WD hire was only $50 each and we saw more and had such a laugh in comparison to what the others said who did the bus tour. Lauren and Ellie drove (didn't have my license :( ) and omg driving on the beach is both exhilarating and scary, especially when meeting a truck coming the other way on a single track road with the tiniest of gaps at the side to get passed - funny stories to tell :) Went first to Lake Mackenzie which was rally beautiful with clear fresh water and golden sand, swam all the way out to the little island towards the middle, bit unnerving when the water gets darker but so warm in parts. After Lake Mackenzie we headed over to Eurong so we could drive on the beach up to the coloured sands, Maheno shipwreck and Eli Creek - went after hide tide a 3.30pm so ended up driving back at sunset which was so so so beautiful but then night followed and we were still 30km from our resort - little hair raising even with lights as the hire company had told us to be back by 6pm and not drive in the dark, lol - we got back a 7pm :) It was fine and all added to the adventure and experience - haven't stopped giggling and laughing with each other since. Had a well deserved glass of wine that night. It was sad to leave after just one day (2nights) at Fraser but the rain came so not too sad to move on to Rockhampton and keep the rain behind us as it has been so far. I thought the rain was bad in England but it is torrential here, I looked like a downed rat on the ferry back to mainland, lol.

Had a fair bit of a drive from Fraser to Rockhampton but stopped at Bunderberg Rum Distillery which was good fun, got some free tasters which I surprisingly liked, especially the liquor: was similar to a White Russian :) Saw a real life Rodeo in Rockhampton over BBQ - being the beef capital of Queensland I would say there beef is pretty good ;)

Currently in Airlie Beach after just finishing our Whitsundays sailing trip and it was definitely another WOW :) The views, the beaches, snorkeling, sailing, dancing, sleeping under the stars and more was just nothing I've ever experienced. Sleeping on the 'British Defender' was surprisingly ok, only had a little sea sickness on Sunday morning but I think that had something to do with the partying the night before - not good with choppy waters, lol. Visited Whiteheaven beach (picture above) and it was stunning, glorious clear waters and golden sand. Had to wear stringers suits (so attractive) with jelly fish in the waters which were surprisingly warm. Snorkeled in the afternoon and saw 'Dory' from but no 'Nemo' clown fish, saw plenty of other types though of course, was surprised by how close the fish get to you - this giant Parrot fish (rainbow coloured) came right up to my face without any hesitation :) Sailed back this morning which was nice and gentle - can't put the amazing views seen into words so have a look at my photo's :) Staying in Airlie beach tonight and partying with the girls before heading towards Undara and onto Cairns - time is going too quickly, don't want the adventure to end, absolutely loving it and the people I've met are absolutely wicked, having such a laugh.