Up early and uncle Brian's bus. We began the tour with an hours drive to Babinda Boulders. Whilst here we walked through the rain forest and man it was a RAIN forest... Unfortunately it rained most the day. This area had many many danger signs and notices of people who had lost their lives to the river below. The river, as the name suggests, homes an abundance of huge boulders. Aborigine legend tells the tale that a female from one tribe, betrothed to a male from another, found love in the arms of another man. As punishment the man was killed by spear. The female escaped and ran into the rainforest to cross the river. It's said that the rainforest could feel her pain and in anger released boulders from the ground which unfortunately claimed the females life. Aboriginal people believe that her spirit remains trapped there and lures young men into the waters where the current forced then to the boulders and they meet their death. A creepy little tale!

When back at the bus we stopped for a morning tea or juices, cake and biscuits. Since we were already wet, a dip in a river pool seemed like a good idea... The first of the day. "Pleasant bit refreshing" as our guide Syd put it!

Our second walk was to an area where here was a natural rock formation we would have been able to slide down if it weren't for the torrential rain. Unfortunately the rain had increased the river volume causing it to become dangerous with such a current! By this point I had taken to walking in my shorts and bikini top as I figured the bikini would dry quicker than my clothes. Should of left the shorts off too! By the end of the walk we were all absolutely drenched from the rain!

Back into the bus again and off to maalla maalla (means waterfall and when aborigines created their language they did not have plural words, instead they repeated them. So here there were two waterfalls).

Our next stop, Josephine falls, was supposed to include the option to use the natural rock slides to go down the river. Unfortunately due to the torrential rain, the rivers volume had increased and with it the velocity... This made it far too dangerous to enter!

Next we went to visit a big waterfall which has been used in many adverts including quantas and herbal essence, Uluru falls. Here we recreated the herbal essence hair flick and swam behind the waterfall!

At this point we headed back to the now damp smelling van and endeavoured to head for lunch. Unfortunately.... The bus had broken down! Luckily the other bus came back to take us to a lovely lunch of bread, salad, couscous and chicken! And .... Sticky toffee pudding for dessert! Not too shabby!

Back on the bus we ventured to Lake Eachem, this spot was beautiful even with the downpour! The water here was also a lot warmer. Syd told us a little about the lake and how it was created... The lake, in the centre, is a whopping 65 metres deep!! Little bit scary... Who knows what's underneath us as we splashed around!

Again we stopped for yet more food! (Deffinately didn't go hungry today) then back to the bus to head to cairns. Syd, to our surprise, revealed a bag of goon (for those that don't know, goon is an australian term for a horrifically cheap boxed wine... Not the best tasted but it has the desired effect. We spent the rest of the trip passing this up and down the bus, funneling a little into our mouths as we went!

Back at the hostel we ran upstairs and hurridly got showered and dressed to meet the group in the bar... This turned into drinks and lots of dancing!

As the bars closed early, due to it being Anzac Day tomorrow, we headed to bed looking forward to a lie in in the morning. If you are wondering, Anzac day is celebrated throughout New Zealand and australia and is a celebration of all the veterans that fought for the countries in the wars. Traditionally this is celebrated in the pubs (which open stupidly early for the occasion) and playing a simple gambling game known as 2 up. Basic rules... Flip two coins... Call how you think they shall land ...see who's right! Simples ;)