Hiya everybody,

It's us again! The day after we last updated the blog (now Weds 16th) we awoke early and drove from the Cape Hillsborough campsite to complete an early morning mangrove swamp walk before returning to site to 'check out?' Logical, because the office didn't open until 8am and we needed our $20 note back for returning the key. Thus we drove hard to reach Airlie Beach shortly after lunch and promptly booked 2 days out on the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. This campsite was surrounded by magnificent rainforest and sunsets and sunrises which were accompanied by cacophanous birdsong; it even had a campsite goanna! Later that day we caught the bus into town to update the photos and was ambushed by Richard -a smashing lad from the Bangkok to Singapore part of the tour! Using this amazing coincidence to advantage, we sat in a pub and downed a jug of beer recounting recent memories. Richard had left Singapore for Sydney literally 5 mins before us and is travelling by greyhound bus and backpacker hostels. Good Luck Rich'.

The following day (Thurs 17th) would be described by Ian as "ace!" -and, thus it was. Pick-up from site at 7.30am, transported to Airlie Beach Marina and then big fast boat to explore the Whitsundays. These are a group of tropical islands off the Queensland coast discovered by Captain Cook on.............have a guess? The photos will show the sort of thing we got up to but you can imagine white endless beaches, torquoise seas, stunning viewpoints, etc., etc. They even threw lunch in and then headed for Hook Island for snorkelling. Needless to say, the wind increased which caused a heavy swell at sea and turning it cloudy. These are the very conditions which Doreen hates but she managed remarkably well and we enjoyed fantastic reef corals and beautiful fish. That night we really 'pushed the boat out' -had dinner cooked for us in the camp kitchen by a forklift driver from Glasgow -honest! Steak and Prawns with all the trimmings for only $17 (6.75 pounds in English!).

Now, Friday 18th! It leaves us speechless. A magical day. A lifetime of memories crammed into 10 hours. On the edge of the Barrier Reef (Hardy Reef) is a secured diving, snorkelling, marine biology centre with everything from overnight accommodation to a helicopter pad. David decided to attempt his first dive and was 'gutted' to be told that Queensland's regulations ban people over 55 from diving the reef without a medical diving certificate. Stuff them! The snorkelling was 'out of this world', the glass bottomed boat highly informative, the lunch incredible and -to make up for the diving disappointment- we booked a helicopter flight over the reef, magnificent!Went to the camp kitchen again that night (different menu, same chef) and then slept very well.

Saturday 19th was set aside for a long drive. We decided to miss out Townsville and head -on recommendation- to Mission Beach 150 km south of Cairns, known as Cassowary and Crocodile country! The following day we 'chilled out' around the site and completed a couple of short walks. In that time we spotted 3 cassowarys in the rainforest -many locals rarely see them! Monday saw yet another 'at sea' adventure when we caught a fast cat to nearby Dunk Island and then onto Beaver Cay for snorkellling. This is a coral atoll which has thrown up a beautiful white spit of sand. Doreen enjoyed a snorkelling safari in a small group and then caught a boat to the sand spit for an hour or so reading and sunning. David did his usual pratting about in the water! On return Doreen was feeling 'queasy' and this lasted all night and most of the next day. We had already decided not to drive to Cairns for an overnight camp but remain instead on this fabulous campsite.Tuesday was, therefore, a 'rest day' though we did manage an 11km walk along Mission Beach to the village. So, Wenesday arrived and it was goodbye to campervanning. We drove -sadly- to Cairns and looked in on a hostel recommended by Leah. A beautiful setting just out of town, perfect but full of kids and wet towels......................sod that, we deserve a touch of luxury at this end of our holiday so booked 3 nights in the most amazing apartment right in the middle of town.

Strange thing, coincidence! Whilst shopping for provisions we were accosted yet again by a young man. Not Richard this time but Chris -a lad who we travelled with throughtout Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia. Another opportunity for a beer and plans laid for a celebratory meal. Chris epitomises being 'laid back' and is, therefore, really easy company.

Cairns is a lovely town and gave us the opportunity to explore Kuranda -a market town up in the hills. A huge tourist attraction which features a scenic railway which meanders up steep inclines through magnificent rainforest and over spectacular river gorges anf waterfalls. We had a 'Gold' upgrade on this leg of the journey and enjoyed individual seating, free snacks and drinks with hostess cover. Whilst in Kuranda it started to rain...................and didn't stop all day; we know why this area is called the 'wet tropics'! The return leg of the journey was by cablecar high over the forest with stopping places to enjoy the..............rain! We hardly saw a thing and settled for it as punishment for having such a good holiday!. Today is a 'Cairns' day and we are finishing off shopping, packing and preparing to move on tomorrow (Sat 25th) to San Francisco -our amazing journey through Australia is over.