Yo, yo, yo!!!

blog update time!!

So since, our last installment in Airlie beach.......... We did our whitsundays sailing trip!! (woohoo!!)

It was awesome! We were on a boat(ship??) called the Solway Lass, which was a really old sailboat, that has a really interesting history. It was built way back in 1902, and was used by both sides during the war! It then got lost for like 15 years (??) then did some other stuff (I probably should remember everything that people tell me!) and then ended up getting refitted to use as a whitsundays tour vessel. The sailing istelf was great, we got to help out puttting up sails which was fun, had a great crew, and had a great time! loads of sunshine, lots of beautiful waters, and some amazing beaches. We sailed to whitehaven beach, apparently one of the top 10 best beaches in the world, with fine white sand, apparently NASA used the sand from there to build a telescope? anyway, it was beatiful. We did a lot of snorkelling, which we are both now in love with, and want to get our own snorkel gear when we get back. Saw some amazing coral, some colourful, pretty fish, and possibly best of all, some giant turtles. Swimming and snorkelling next to these wonderful animals was awe inspiring. They are so majestic, and didnt seem to mind all therse people all around them! It was humbling.

One night around dinnertime, a friendly dolphin decided to appear by our boat, and spent about an hour just swimming round our boat, and splashing around!!- very cool!

We had some great food prepared on board too, god knows how, and meet some really cool people. we had 3 busy, intersting days, and enjoyed being on a real sailship.

After the Whitsundays, we went to Magnetic island, which is another lovely place, apparently gets the best weather anywhere in Oz- something like 300 sunny days a year- and it was certainly hot when we were there! We stayed in a place called bungalow bay, and had our own little A frame bungalow, which was cool. The resort was fantastic, a big, sprawling space, loads of place to wander, and wild animals! we saw loads of possums, and a few wallabies, just wandering around our bungalow, at dusk! loads of great birds too! (the feathered kind!)

Best of all, they have an animal sanctuary on site- with snakes, crocodiles, birds and koala's- Lisa is totally in love with koala's- and we did a champagne breakfast with the animals. which was great- amazing food- but even better, after brekkie, they bring out animals for you to touch and hold, so we got to hold a baby alligator, and a bird-thing (again, didnt listen to what is was!!) and I held a snake- well, it just wrapped itself around my arm! (pics to come, at some point!) then Lisa got to hold/cuddle a koala. and she loved it!! (lots of pics of that too!) so that was fun. Other than that, we did a few walks, which were really good, and then chilled by the pool. One day we did a walk to a secluded beach, which was beuatiful, and there was only us 2 on there- paradise!

After Magnetic, we headed to Cairns. I was looking forward to Cairns, but to be honest was dissapointed- we have been here a week now, and there is not a lot here.

Stayed in 2 weird hostels too- in one now called Woodduck, its really homely and friendly, but the weird part is, we are in a double room, but have to walk through a 8 bed dorm, to get to our room!! odd.

We havent done too much in Cairns, chilled by the lagoon, done some practical things and research, ready for Asia, including closing our Aussie bank accounts etc, and generally just tried not too spend too much money!! We have of course sampled the nightlife, which Cainrs is famous for, including the (in)famous woolshed bar...

However, today we did a Great Barrier Reef trip, and that was amazing- possibly my fave thing in Oz so far! The reef itself is so fascinating, and beatiful- and of course all the marine life that is in and around it is amazing too. So many different coloured fish, and coral, and other things! We did more snorkelling, which was awesome again, as I really love it- so peaceful just floating around, diving down, watching all the fish.

We paid to hire an underwater camera- and it was really worth it, took nearly 200pics and about 20 videos, in one day!! (So plenty more to show you all when we get back!) I got so caught up diving down near the coral, and fish, to take pics, I kept forgetting to come up and breathe!! lol!! Had a great boat- The Ocean Freedom- with a really great, helpful, friendly crew. It was also Melbourne cup day today- like an ausisie version of the Grand National. so the captain ran a lucky dip sweepstake, and Lisa''s orse managed to come first, so she won a free T-shirt, damn her!! (presonally, I wanted second place- a stubby cooler, and a free beer!) but was a great day out- and have some great pics and videos of the day. The only down side was that we didnt see any turrtles or reef sharks. Oh well.

We are off to singapore tomorow, so thats Oz over at last- not too sad, as feel like we have been here for ever now, and getting a little bored- plus Oz is REALLY expensive! So looking forward to the cheapness of Asia!!

Home in just over a month- scary stuff- this year has gone so fast!!

Hope all is well at home- and you are all saving up to get us both some great xmas pressies.... ;- )

L & J

xx