Since our last update we have been busy bees! We had 2 days in Mission beach which were pretty chilled. The first day the weather was pretty rubbish so there wasn't much that we could do there than hang around the hostel, the second day the weather was a lot nicer so we hit the beach which was just across from the hostel. The beach was really nice and quite quiet but swimming was a bit of a risk as there had been sightings of crocs. We had planned to go rafting while we were here on the River Tully but it was a bit too pricey for our budget so we're gonna save it for New Zealand. While we were here though we did manage to get lots organised and booked our Whitsunday's/Fraser Island package which included 2 nights accommodation in Airlie Beach, 3 days 2 nights sailing on the Whitsunday's and then 2 nights stay in Hervey Bay and 3 days 2 nights on Fraser Island.

The following day we caught the Greyhound bus out of Mission Beach to head to Ayr which was a 5hr journey south. We had booked a diving trip to the Yongala Wreck at our hostel in Mission Beach so instead of heading to Townsville we went to Ayr which is a lot closer to the wreck. As part of the package we spent the night before in the dive lodge which was really nice, probably one of the nicest places we have stayed in. The next day we were up early around 7ish for breakfast and to get kitted out with all our dive gear. The boat left about 9ish to take us out to the wreck which was only about a 30min ride. Included were 2 dives on the wreck, we were really lucky on the day as the previous days it had been really rough with quite a few people being seasick but that day it was lovely and calm. The Yongala was built in England by the same people that built the Titanic and sank 23rd March 1911. It was a passenger freight steamer that was carrying 122 passengers on that day with nobody surviving. The dive was quite expensive to do but we had heard really good things about it so couldn't give it a miss. Both dives were fantastic, we saw so many fish including huge groupers, we saw great big rays lying in the sand as well as a marble ray at least 3 metres wide swimming through the water which had to be the highlight. We also saw 4 turtles, a guitar shark and lots of clown fish (nemo's!). Compared to the wreck dives that we did in Malaysia and bali this wreck was a lot more clearer to see and there were certain part of the boat that we could make out. We got to see the toilets, the galley and the bath tub as well as some of the letters from the Yongala sign. Divers are not allowed to swim inside the wreck as it is dangerous, oxygen bubbles can erode the wreck and mainly because it is a grave site. These dives were the best dives we have done by far so we are really glad that we decided to do it and we have now upped our diving total to 19!!!! We think we'll have to squeeze at least one more in before we come home!

That day after diving we came back to the lodge for a nice bbq and then caught the bus later in the afternoon to Airlie Beach. We got there about 9ish, dropped off our stuff and more or less hit the bar. We had a mad 3 nights there which we blame on an AFL footie team that we met the first night from Melbourne who believe that their sport is the best sport in the world despite the fact that no one else in the world plays it!! The first night we had lots of fun playing loads of drinking games and we also met up with a group of Irish girls that we had gone out on the reef with and seen in Cape Tribulation. A messy night to be had by one and all! The next day was spent just chilling by the lagoon near the harbour in preperation for a big night of rugby! After getting booed whilst standing on the tables singing the English National Anthem it turned out to be a fab night to be English! By the end of the night half of Magnum's were covered in English flags courtesy of our facepaints!! We even managed to tattoo some of the Aussies! Bring on the France game on Sunday!!! Not happy that its on at 4am though!!

After another night out on the Sunday that WAS intended to be a quiet one we headed off on our sailing trip the next day. We checked in at the marina along with all the others who were to be on our boat around midday. The boat we were booked on was a sailng catamaran called Wings. It was less of a party boat than some of the others which was a good thing and there was more of an emphasis on diving and snorkelling. The boat didn't have any set plans other than visitng Whitehaven beach, everything else was just weather dependant. Unfortunately due to our dwindling finances no diving took place for Charlotte and Becky (aahhhhh!!) but instead lots of tanning time on the deck and some snokelling instead. We now feel like prunes and have white bits that could blind! Not sure we can get any browner but of course we will give it a shot! The 3 days were wicked, the crew were awesome, the food was lovely and met some good people on the trip. Only complaint would have to be that our bed was the smallest triangle in the world and we had to sleep like sardines along with some honeymooning Dutch lesbians! Our earplugs went in! The highlight of the trip by far was going to Whitehaven Beach which has been voted the world's numero uno public beach and we have to agree, it was absolutely stunning! Awesome! (Can you tell we had American's onboard??!!) The crew got us up at the crack of dawn for brekkie and then our visit to Whitehaven Beach. On the way we stopped at a viewpoint to take some good pics and spot the sting rays and baby sharks in the water. The views were spectacular so make sure you check out our pics!! We then spent the next 2 hours on Whitehaven before heading back to the boat. That afternoon we did a bit of snorkelling but after the Yongala we have pretty high standards!! We arrived back to shore lunchtime on Wednesday and spent the afternoon sleeping in the shade down by the lagoon waiting for our bus to take us to 1770.

We are now here in the Town of 1770 named because this was the first place that Captain Cook landed in 1770 believe it or not! This is our 2nd day here and we haven't really done a lot. Most people come here to have cheap surf lessons, plane rides and scooter tours but we've been taking this opportunity to have some time out and re-coop before hitting Hervey Bay and Fraser Island! Oh and another weekend of rugby! C'mon England!

We'll update you all again after Fraser i'm sure! We take it everyone is well and enjoying life as much as we are!!!!! Lots of love from us xxxxxxxxxxxx

PS. Charlotte's phone was pinched so her new and only number is 61414073000. Please text her your numbers as she has none :-(