Hello everybody Sorry another long un Whoever said we were in the sunshine state was lying, all it does is rain and be over cast. Then again it is winter here but everyone you meet and say you are from England all they say is about how much it rains there not realizing it is raining here also! Now that I have the rant out of the way onto our activities. Sunday 11/6 Today we boarded our boat to take us round the Whitsunday islands for 2 days 2 nights, it is a maxi yacht approx 83ft long. 28 guests and 4 crew onboard the infamous boomerang christened Ondine vii who won first place in the world maxi series race, also raced in US Japan and NZ. Hit the seas with 20-25 knot winds with 3m swell (we are into our nautical terms now!) this equates to v.rough and windy for you Land lovers. Great fun as we were getting covered in salt water and planning at 45 degrees-ish a great laugh. The others on the boat were a great laugh with a group from Cork and a couple of blokes from Eping Essex amongst other characters. First night we moored just off Whitehaven beach under the stars playing ring of fire drinking games with v.cheap wine (aka goon). The next day we went off to Whitehaven beach and to see the swirling sands but again was v.windy and pretty cold so not the postcard view we were hoping for. We then sailed past border island through manta ray bay to hook island to go snorkeling, where only the brave took part. Obviously Zella and I just sat on deck chatting with the others knowing we were heading off to the great barrier reef. That evening more drinking ensued with table dancing and one of the lads from Cork passing out and being covered in toothpaste etc. The morning after the night before in the smallest bunk with approx no headroom we awoke to a bit of rain for our return leg to land. We sat on deck embracing the aussie weather wearing the stock yellow axe murderer attire from 'I Know what you did last summer' upon our return to land we had a meal at Magnums (slim) with the other people from the boat and then headed up the coast for a 4.5 hour drive to Rollingstone Wed 14th Zella woke up and had a cuppa on the beach at the campsite making the most of the only sunshine of the day, not much like the campsites at home Ian & Karen! We then hit the Bruce highway and then the Captain cook highway to Babinda where we enjoyed a traditional pie and chips v.tasty. We then headed further north to Port Douglas the furthest North this trip. The following day we chilled around the campsites pool, not much sun though and had a look at the harbour. Friday 16th Headed off to the Mossman gorge a bit west which is a river through a rainforest which was pretty and thankfully we bought our macs. We then headed south to Cairns for our last stop. The Campsite is home to the world's largest jumping pillow and also a crazy golf course where I thrashed Zella (well it was a draw but a moral victory for the people's champion!) Sat 15th Off to one of the seven natural wonders of the world the Great Barrier Reef, on the boat we tried to recall the other 6 and came up with ooh at least 1. The sea was v.choppy which made it a really enjoyable journey out there and they laid on complimentary sea sick tablets which still didn't stop a poor Korean girl being as sick as a dog. We got to our first stop at Hamilton reef and donned our wetsuits and entered the washing machine aka the sea. We were thrown whichever way the sea wanted and struggled against the current, even the fish were bobbing here there and everywhere. Saw some fishies but wasn't anything different to Thailand or the Red sea so a bit disappointed but I saw a nice small manta ray dived down for a close up but I bet when the piccies come out it will just be of some sand and my fat finger. The second stop after lunch was saxon reef and more washing machine action. We had another choppy ride back to land with a nice glass of red and cheese and biscuits, oh how sophisticated. Sun16th Just went into Cairns for a look around and to buy a big jumper for cold NZ. Tomorrow we are off to Kurunda which is a skyrail over the rainforest and then we fly off on Tuesday to NZ. We have just bumped into a couple from the Whitsunday boat and we are going to join them for our free dinner and drinks. JP she lives just down your road in Duffield! All the best guys and we will try to upload some photos in the near future but it is big brother time again and we are not allowed to do it here. Loads of love Ben and Zel