Following a stopover in Rockhampton, which was lifeless and baking hot, I continued up the East Coast to Airlie Beach. This small town offers good links to sailing on the Whitsundays, which are a collection of small tropical islands off the coast of Australia. On Friday 14th March I began a 2 day 2 night sailing trip around the Whitsunday Islands. On this trip I snorkeled on some fringing reef, and later SCUBA dived too, both of which were great fun, as well as being a new and exciting experience. On my boat were a load of cool people, including a group of American college students and a Jock. We spent one afternoon on Whitehaven Beach (top 10 in the world)…enough said.

Following some fighting talk from the yanks, there was a GB Vs USA game of ring of fire (drinking game). I think describing the contest wouldn't be fair…so I will simply say this: GB 1-0 USA

Returning back to Airlie Beach on Sunday 16th March, Matt rejoined me after 3 weeks apart. Therefore, we celebrated in due fashion. The next day was a very special day (Matt's Birthday & St Patricks Day). More celebration was necessary, in a town that liked to party.

Later that week we completed our 46hours of coach journeys up the East Coast and Arrived in Cairns. Cairns was between Byron Bay and Brisbane in Size, and was very relaxed. Being in Cairns gave me and Matt a chance to SCUBA dive on the Great Barrier Reef. 12.6metres down for 34mins…twice. There were schools of exotic fish all around us, and over 2000 species on the reef in total. This was a truly superb experience.