Fraser Island

  To get to Rainbow Beach (the base before Fraser island) we had to endure a 14 hour bus journey...this again is another thing I will never be doing again in my life if I can possibly help it!

After arriving at Rainbow we had a pep talk before going onto Fraser the following day. During this pep talk we were told that by going in the sea we will die, if you see a dingo; cover your nipples!

 The following morning we packed our food, bags and tents into our cars. Off we went to the world’s biggest sand island. We pitched up at our camp...when I say camp, imagine the area behind a sand dune, nothing but sand. No toilet. No shower. No civilisation. Shit.

 That afternoon after setting up the tents, we went to Lake Wabbi, a 20 minute walk to a secluded lake next to a huge sand hill. We swam, rolled down the hill, relaxed and laughed. The last laugh. Upon going back to camp and cooking in near darkness we realised that this wasn’t going to be all fun and games. We went to bed (if you can call it that) whereupon we realised hiring sleeping bags was a good idea. Laying on them was the only slight bit of comfort we had for 2 nights. Everything was covered in sand. After a restless night’s sleep we got up for breakfast, there were flies everywhere. It was not pleasant.

 On this second day, we went to Eli Creek, Champagne falls and Indian Head. We were told that Indian head we would see sharks, dolphins, dugongs, sea turtles, fish and rays. We saw a turtles head. I got to drive that day which was scary for everyone else, but pretty cool for me.

 Once again we cooked in darkness, but we had egg fried rice (my ingenious idea!) which made it slightly better. Once again we had an uncomfortable and restless night’s sleep, so we were very happy to be leaving the island.

 However upon waking we found 2 cars had dead batteries. After our guide made countless trips back and forth for jump leads, we managed to get going. We went to lake Mckenzie, which was beautiful, however as it’s the most famous lake on the island it was very busy. When we reached the lake, one of the guys turned a car off, resulting in a flat battery again! So we got it going again (eventually) and off we went. After about half an hour one of the cars clutch went and we had to leave the car alone on the beach. Another 20 minutes and our tyre blew. Whilst waiting for it to be changed we were circled by a hungry looking dingo. After jumping up and making it crap itself we were on the (sand) road again. Until the lead car ran out of petrol.

 We arrived back at the hostel 4 hours late and full of sand. Seeing all the sights that i know most people will never get to see was amazing, however camping sucks. And camping in sand sucks even more. If you thought I was a diva before, never take me camping, I will show you diva!

Love me
xx

Whitsunday

After being terrorised by a possum for 5 nights we were more than happy to pack our bags, hop on the ferry and get off this god forsaken island! So off we went to Airlie Beach ready for our Whitsunday sailing adventure.

 Airlie was the civilisation we’d been looking for over the last few weeks. We were told it was either a 40minute walk to the supermarket for food, or to pay extortionate prices at the local store. Which meant we treated the days we were there like a full blown holiday, eating out every night, drinking, shopping and generally just lazing around. 

 After 4 nights in Airlie we hopped aboard our boat; Powerplay. We were ready for sun, sea, sand and sights. After getting on the boat we sunbathed most of the day whilst sailing to our first destination. There was diving (‘Ooh diving!’) and snorkelling involved before dinner. After a few hours here we moved on to our night time destination, after looking around frantically for dolphins (none L) we settled down for the night.

 The next morning we moved on to see the famous Whitehaven Beach. The photos don’t do it justice (which is why I haven’t included any!) We stood up on the look out point, where we saw sharks, stingrays and lots of sand. The sand on Whitehaven is 98% silica, which is supposedly good. NASA used the sand here for their Hubble telescope. It’s also very white. 

 After chasing stingrays, being chased by James, swimming in my rather fetching stinger suit and sunbathing; I came up with our groups theme song (see below):

 I’m rubbing my feet in the sand
 I would do it with my hands
 But the waters deep, And the waters dark
 And somewhere out there, There might be a shark
 So I’m rubbing my feet in the sand!

 Back onto the boat we went, where we sailed around some more, ate some more and went snorkelling some more. This next destination was where I tried my hand a paddle boarding; not only did I love it, but I was bloody good at it! The captain said he’d never seen anyone take to it so easily before (think I just found my new profession!). After this we settled in for the night. Me and Maxine kept our fingers crossed for dolphins, whilst Sarah and James went diving (‘Ooh diving! I like diving I do.’) in the dark...crazy people! However once again we were lied too and no dolphins appeared.

 A life at sea is not for me. Not only did I spend the entirety of the boat necking sea sickness tablets (thank god they worked!) I did not appreciate the shower. It was an extendable tap. In the toilet. To use it, you had to sit on the toilet. And you got 1 minute to shower. I hate the sea.

Luckily the next day was our final day. Up we got bright and early; me and Sarah decided to take an early morning snorkel. I didn’t get to see a turtle (the one thing I’m desperate to see!!), however I did get to see lots of stripy fish, bright fish, little fish, shiny fish, big fish and pretty coral. After this we finally made our way back to land!! Hooray!

 I’m never living at sea again!

Love me
xx

Possumgate

So on Magnetic Island we swapped from a room with no air-con, to a teepee with nothing!
It was raised about a foot off the floor with a zipper entrance. The teepee was admittedly quite cosy, however it was stifling hot and got dirty pretty quick seeing as the lead up to the door was sand and dirt.
Me and Maxine got settled in and that night took an early one. However at about midnight I was woken up by Maxine shouting "What the hell?! Get out!" This quite rightly woke me up panicking. However what came next I was not expecting. "There was a freaking possum eating my crackers!" Yes this did raise an eyebrow or 2!
About an hour later I was still awake and we'd put a torch by the entrance to deter him, however I still saw his little paws and head pop up in a comedy routine!
That night we heard him many more times and even caught him looking through our window!
For 5 nights we we're terrorised by a possum! Deffo not the best few nights sleep I've ever had!
One night after dinner we went back to the teepee, shone the light through the window and there the little git was sitting in the middle of the floor sniffing sun cream!
Needless to say I was relived when we left Magnetic Island!
Love me
xx