Our trip to Airlie Beach didn't start out fantastic. On our overnight bus we just happened to be given a seat next to a window that leaked, it was pouring rain all night and water gushed in. I woke up quite wet. Next I discovered that I'd left my bikini at the last hostel and finally I forgot my hair brush when we went on our boat trip. I'm getting forgetful in my old age.

After a morning spent dropping out big bags in storage, calling the hostel to get my bikini posted home and buying some Goon we boarded our boat.

We were on a boat called Wings II which is a catamaran that specializes in diving and snorkelling. We spent 3 days sailing around the Whitsunday Islands, swimming, reading, watching the scenery and just overall relaxing as everything was taken care of for us.

The area is full of life underwater and amazing islands above. It rained a bit which was unfortunate but expected this time of year. Thank goodness we didn't see any sharks but I did get stung on my lip by a Jellyfish. Of course it had to happen because only 95% of my body was covered by a stinger suit. Lucky it wasn't the deadly type and I was fine 30 min later.

We spent New Years on Whitehaven Beach, one of the best beaches in the world. It was an amazing setting to bring in the New Year, especially with the full moon. We even got "sparklers". Overall it was a really good night.

We got back to Airlie Beach on New Years day. It is odd being among the first in the world to celebrate the New Year. We were sitting eating dinner, fully recovered from the night before, when midnight hit the west coast of Canada.

Now we head to Magnetic Island for our PADI course to become certified divers...

- Only 40 days left :(