What do you get when you cross 9 strangers, a large pile of sand and a lack of food?? Well, it isn't bliss let me assure you, however the experience was an entertaining one. I signed myself up to a trip to Fraser Island, basically the largest sand island in the world, off the east coast. You are grouped up with 8 others and given a 4WD vehicle. Plonked on a ferry, and off you go.

It was 6.30am and I found myself blinking at a tv screen. I was watching something on campsite safety. And it was long. Dingos were mentioned. I didn't pay too much attention as to what dingos were. This was followed by another half hour safety video. I forget the subject. After a few further briefings we all stood slightly bemused in the middle of a supermarket. Attempting to source supplies for the following 3 days.

At this point, I should describe the group. Myself, the only English person (highly unexpected as most of England appears to be sharing my hostels), Mike (token American) 2 Italians, 2 Irish and alas, the 3 Germans.

Now, I didn't expect the food shopping to be a simple experience, but I hadn't counted on our first group arguement to take place at 9am - whilst still on the mainland. All you need to know is that a) whilst camping we do not need additional bread for 'toast', b) stew out of a can is never acceptable - I don't care how cheap it is. Especially when we have an Italian chef with us offering to make pasta, and c) if there is an arguement to be started, the germans will start it. To cut a very long story short, the germans bought some food for themselves.

I'm sure that, as normal, my way of describing things make this sound like a negative experience, I apologise. It wasn't all bad. Three of the guys took it in turns to drive the vehicle (which for the girls, was like a landrover with a extra kind of cabin plonked on top for all our stuff, essentially; it was a top heavy death trap). Although I could have driven, with 7 of our passengers male, I thought better of putting my drving under that level of scrutiny.

The roads were of course completely sand and about as bumpy as you can imagine, there were times when the whole vehicle was leaning at a 45 degree angle. Fun. 3 weeks ago 2 guys died after the van overturned - nothing like that knowledge at the back of your mind!

Anyway, we camped out both nights - the stars were so clear as there is no real source of light in the evenings, we could see the milky way. On my way for a call of nature late one night I came face to face with 4 glowing eyes in my torch light. I now know what dingos are. Turns out they are rather partial to humans. I escaped. Or rather ran like a girl, shrieking slightly...

In the end it was a rather pleasent trip - and before we knew it, we were back on the mainland. I've carried on a little more now, in a place called Agnes Water at the nicest hostel I've found in this country. Hope that all is well back home.

Much love xx