So it's goodbye from Australia, we can't believe we've been here four months, it feels like we've been here four days. We're actually quite sad to leave, we've met some fantastic people, seen some amazing things and had great times, but here's to the next chapter- jungle trekking in Thailand, Temples in Cambodia and Orangutangs in Borneo, oh and fantastic snorkelling in warm Malaysian waters- bring it on!

So the last couple of weeks have gone a little like this....

After out last update we drove upto Mission beach, whilst battling the winds in an attempt to cook our dinner we got chatting to a lovely guy called Bill who insisted that we did the washing up at his, after all we'd cooked him a feast (well kind of), actually i think it was the lure of a cup of tea that attracted Bridge, who needs alcohol when there's tea involved! We ended up staying for more than one cup of tea, we stopped there a few days getting to know his dad and his friends. We spent the days jumping into freezing cold creeks, crab potting, eating fresh crayfish down at the beach and cracking coconuts. Jo turned carnivore for the day (and one day only), trying the fresh crayfish. We partied with him and his friends who had just brought a new house (well shed) in the jungle complete with their very own Huntsman spider, tree frogs living in the toilet cistern and even a bushman camping at the bottom of the garden- we kid you not. They live in the most beautiful area of the world surrounded by both sea and jungle- it's an amazing place. There's even Jo's favourite birds running around, the endangered cassowary.

After their it was a trip to Josephine Falls (yes a great name if you ask me), for jungle walks and sliding down the natural waterslide- sliding on slippery rocks and plunging into the water below- great fun! We also explored the beautiful Golden Hole where stunning blue butterflies can be seen, they're called the Ulysses butterfly. We also checked out Babinda Boulders (one of Queenslands many natural highlights) and then headed north to the madness of Cairns. In Cairns we've partied hard as it's our last few days and there's some great people who we met in Sydney and around OZ who are up here too- it's the place to be (well we're here so of course it is). There's been lots of good times and heavy hangovers on occassions but great fun none the less and we've danced our socks off, Jo's shoes are even falling apart she's danced that hard. Besides hitting the tiles we've managed to escape the madness for a few days of camping in Kuranda where we mingled with the local aboriginals and explored the jungles. On our last few days with our beloved GT we drove to Mossman Gorge to explore the Daintree National park. Yesterday we had a great day out on Fiztroy Island where we snorkelled the Great Barrier Reef (we're addicted we've even brought our own snorkels). Us and the Canadian guys who we met in Sydney had a sand sculpting competition which i feel we should have won, we we're pretty impressed with their efforts though. Sand wrestling in the rain was a highlight though.

So we're off to enjoy our last few hours in Cairns, it's sunbathing and chilling with the boys today before packing up our rucksacks and giving our back muscles a work out again.

Take care everyone, with all our love from OZ.

Jelly babies down under over and out.xxx

Happy Birthdays:

Aunty Les- happy birthday, i'm sure you've got something special planned, it'll probably be a holiday knowing you.

Edwardio(sneaky)- Happy Birthday Mr. 18!!!!!! Wish we could be there to share your first legal drink but we'll be raising a glass over this end instead. Have a great birthday.

Mike- Have a great day, i'm sure it will be a big one. I just hope you haven't got work the next day!