So our trip has continued down the East coast and it was with some trepidation we got off the greyhound in Agnes Water, a quiet little spot an overnight bus ride away. And we thought we had gotten past the days of overnight travel!! Apparently not 555.

Anyway, to continue, I was pleasantly surprised by the town and enjoyed it a lot more than the other places we'd visited so far. Our hostel was pretty quiet and had a tv room to relax in that didn't shut at 9pm, unlike in Airlie Beach, and we got copious amounts of free breakfast - I think I gorged myself on pancakes a bit too much. Anyway, the nutritional delight aside, what made Agnes Water so pleasant was the fact there was actually things to do through the day that didn't just involve lazing around on a beach! I never thought I'd be sick of sunbathing and reading but evidently even I have my limits. Thus I got out of bed nice and early and took myself off to a surf lesson on Saturday morning.

The day had dawned drizzly, grey and chilly (well chilly for sub tropical North Queensland) and I was slightly tense about what the morning had to offer, as well as pretty darn cold in my bikini and a rash vest (to stop getting a rash on your chest from the sand and salt rubbing on the surfboard).We only had a small group of 5, me and 4 Germans, Luke the instructor and his dog Meuko (I think it was something like that) who insisted on sitting on my lap for the entire 5 minute drive to the beach. Dog whisperer me lol.

After a 20 minute practical instruction on the beach, practising leaping onto the board and paddling the board, we were off into the foamy waves, nervewracking for me as drowning is a big fear whenever the sea is concerned. I think copious hours on boats recently have helped but there is always a niggling worry in the back of my mind. Once in the water you warm up surprisingly fast as pushing the board out past the waves, paddling and attempting to leap up onto the board is tiring work and definitely works up a sweat, albeit one the sea washes off immediately! I had one big spill when my board turned and went side-on to a wave - a bad idea as you totally lose control, flip upside down and end up with an unintended sinus bath. On a positive note my sinuses have never been so clear!

I did manage to stand up once or twice and ride a few metres or so, but was so tired after a few hours that my arms refused to lift me up anymore and I got back to the hostel bedraggled but happy.

In the afternoon Nina and I had booked an electric bike tour so after an hours respite we wandered into the small town centre and set off with our guide for the evening, Scott. We rode over to 1770, a town named after the year Captain Cook discovered the coast of Australia and first made landing in the same place. Soon after setting off we got to practice throwing boomerangs which was really fun - I think I'd be able to knock some birds out with my throwing arm anyway! There were some amazing views after we had battled up some steep hills that give home a run for its money, and the little engines on the bike were a real help, giving you a much needed boost every so often.

Now I feel our guide needs a short paragraph to himself. Halfway through the tour he stopped off at a rest place and got out a big spliff. To be fair on him he did offer us some but as we weren't interested he lit it up all to himself and started piping up with some of the most hilarious conspiracy theories I've ever heard. It definitely made for an interesting ride the rest of the trip.

Nina and I also got a complimentary clay face mask which earned us some funny looks riding along with it drying on our faces, but my skin felt lovely and clean when I washed it off so I'm not complaining too much!

After our trip we had a lazy evening watching some Graham Norton on the tv and going to bed early for our 5.30am wake up alarm for the 6.30 bus. It seems we are gluttons for punishment!

Our next stop was Rainbow Beach, from which we will be taking a 3 day tour of Fraser Island, so I'll tell you all about it when I get back.

Becca x