Hello again -

So we arrived in hervey bay and found some of our friends that we hadn't seen for a few days because they had left earlier than us in brisbane . Jamie had already done fraser and he was staying in our dorm ( we had met him in byron) and then chris, ryan and richard had got back from fraser that night so it was good to see them all and we got a big group out for a meal and drinks that night at the irish pub called hoolihans. It was cool, I got to have a pint of cider ( something I havn't had for AGES and I love cider ) and we got a meal deal for some big starters. A live band was playing, the rugby was on, we had an old crazy guy dancing and really good company, had a really nice night. The next morning we were up nice and early for our fraser island talk, which everyone had to attend. We heard all about fraser island, were put in our groups of ten who were - me, bec, laura, gary, laura, micheal,beth, annie,gemma and mark. Then we went to get our 4 x 4 trucks, packed all the camping gear in and went shooping for our food.. which was a challenge to make decisions when you have to pick things all ten people like and that is easy to make.

We made our way to the ferry, where we met up with the other vehichles and caught the ferry over to fraser. Fraser island is beautiful, and very strange because sometimes you feel like the only people on the island, you can be the only car for an hour and then it gives you a shock when you see someone else.

Our first venture out in the rainforest, we made our way over pig branches and steps and drops in the path ( you drive on sand the whole time) we came across another truck that had got its tire bent in the road, so our driver for the day - micheal - managed to manouvre the veheichle all the way back down the steep hill and round the corner. We made it to our camp site just before it got dark, set up our tents and got the bbq started. For camping, the food was ammmaaazzinng - best food i've had so far on the trip - we really treated ourselves, - sausages and beef burgers - and cheese - yummy!

The next day we woke up really early because we had to beat the tide ( because you drive on the sand - thats the highway) we macde it to the north part of fraser island - where there are champagne pools - they are called this because they are giant rocks pools - and when the sea splashes on the rocks into the water - it makes the water bubble. you cant swim in the sea on fraser because it is shark infested so it was nice to go in the water. Whilst we were in there we heard the whales calling and saw them jumping up and splashing the water - they swam right next to us at one point - it was sunrise and really magical! we even had four dolphins playing in the water at one point. After hanging around and drying of for 5 hours - and a few ball games later - we headed for indian head - i decided to have a go driving the 4 x 4 which was quite hard when you cant even reach the pedals!! i managed, even though it was quite tricky negotiating the creeks that have huge drops on both sides. idian heads was lovely - its high up and has a cliff edge - where you can look down into the water and if you call lucky - see sting rays and sharks... whilst we were there we had a jet fighter kindly fly past us about 100 meters away- it was crazy and i though i was going to be blown off!! we did alot that day - saw the maheno ship wreck, and some stunning red rocks...

in the morning all the groups went to lake makenzie - it was an all day drive through the rough terrain of the forrest and over big bums and rocks and tree trunks. once we got there, it was worth it - even if it was really cloudy!! the water is crystal clear and very blue - its a fresh water lake and the water was freezing that day but i still got in because it was a photo oppertunity not to be missed!!

we had a great time on fraser island - and even though we didnt have the best weather - we made great friends and felt like we had done the real aussie thing - a barbi and camped!

lots of love, em xxxxxx