Hello from Airlie Beach, Queensland.

My last blog entry was after my 2 day trip to Fraser Island, and this one is coming after another incredible trip but this time to the Whitsunday Islands.

After leaving Rainbow Beach we headed further north for a 2 night stop over in the Town of 1770. We stayed in a really nice hostel and although there wasn't a great deal to do there, we did meet a group of guys who we ended up staying in touch with for the following week. In 1770 the one major thing that has to be done is go on Scooteroo and it was one of the best afternoons I have had. We turned up to find rows of minature 'Harley' bikes and were given helmets and leather jackets with flames on which looked hilarious. We spent the trip in a convoy of around 30 and drove around both 1770 and Agnes Water before watching the sunset. It was such a good day and I had so much fun.

After leaving 1770 we headed off on the Oz Experience bus to Kroombit aka The Cattle Station. Like surf camp this was included as a part of the bus pass and we were lucky to have such a good group on our bus that day. We got there at around lunchtime and checked into our dorms which were literally converted stables. After eating we waiting while some people went horseriding and when the whole group was together we got back on the bus and taken out to a ranch and i had no idea what to expect. We turned up to find pens of goats and ropes everywhere. We got taught how to lassou which I was terrible at and I get getting the damn thing wrapped around my head! I thought it was hilarious but if I'd known what was coming next I think I would have tried a bit harder! We were told to get into groups of 3 and in turn each group had to go into the pen and were told which would be their goat. One in the group then had to throw a lassou at it and then drag it back to the group by the horns. Another then ad to pick the goat up by its legs before kneeling on it, and the third had to run and get a branding stick (which was cold) and pretned to brand it. When they did the demonstration it was funny but I couldn't quite believe they wanted us to man-handle goats!! Luckily I got away with being the one who had to brand it and didn't actually have to touch it! Kate was amazing with the lassou and we were put against another group for a second round which we won. We thought we were the overall winners and were chuffed, only to be told that we had been competing for second place and another group had already won! We were robbed! But it was definatly one of the most memorable and funniest things I have ever taken part in.

After the goat experience, we went back to the ranch we were sleeping at and spent the rest of the day sitting by the fire eating (only to be told dinner had actually been goat!) We also learnt how to crack a whip which was really hard work. The last activity was riding the mechanical bull which I managed to stay on for 42 bucks which was the highest score until one guy had his third go and got 45!We spent the rest of the evening sitting around the ranch playing drinking games and it was such a good night even if it did end with me being rather ill!!

The next day we left Kroombit nursing a rather horrific hangover, and it took the entire day for our coach to drive back onto the coast and up to Airlie Beach which is where I am now. Because we had been with the same people for several days we all went out and it was a really good night. Our driver had reserved us a table at our hostel and we all got free jugs of beer which is always a good start to an evening!

We spent the next few days at the lagoon which looks down over the beach. Because of the jellyfish you aren't allowed in the sea here but the lagoon is lovely and the weather has been absolutly boiling so I've been happy to just lie around there for most of the week. Because of how we booked our sailing trips, Philippa was on a different boat and left a day earlier than me and Kate who were due to go on Wednesday, so we had several days of sunbathing and partying and I could happily stay in Airlie Beach for a very long time. Our hostel has a balcony which looks down over the bar and it feels a lot more like being on holiday in Spain than being in Australia which is quite surreal, and because of the party atmosphere everyone seems to congregate here and we bumped into so many people we had met on other parts of the coast.

On Thursday we left for our trip which was absolutly incredible! Our boat was really cool and there was just a nice mix of people on it and we made good friends with some of the girls onboard. It was really fun to live on a boat for 2 days and feels quite strange to be back on land and not swaying! However I do not miss the bed I had which was a top bunk and possibly the smallest bed I have ever seen in my life!

On the first day we boarded the boat mis-afternoon and sailing to a cove where we would be spending the night. We then ate the most ridiculous amount of food before watching the sunset. On the second day we were woken at 6 by the engine being started and after little sleep I woke up certain I was going to be ill. After breakfast and some sea-sickness tablets I got used to the swaying again and they set the sails up so we could head off to White Haven beach. Because our boat was a former racing boat, we all had to sit along one side with our legs over the edge and they would tip the whole boat until the other side was dipping in the water which was so much fun! We spent the morning at White haven which was a spectacular sight. The sand there is 98% silicone and stunningly white! In the afternoon we went snorkling and got to see reef and coral which was incredible. We spent the rest of the day sailing around the islands before watching the sunset whilst eating our dinner again. I may not have had the best nights sleep on the boat but it was such an incredible experience and I had the best time I could have asked for.

We arrived back in Airlie Beach by midday and checked back in. Although we had initially planned to leave the following morning we have actually decided to stay for 2 nights because we have had so much fun here and met a lot of people that are still around. Next stop is Magnetic Island which is meant to be beautiful and I am looking forward to chilling out there for a while after the insane amount of partying we have been doing! Generally I am still having an incredible time

Hope everyone at home is well xxxx