WOW! The Whitsunday Islands really live up to the hype!

We had booked a trip which entailed flying out to the stunning Whitehaven Beach by helicopter from Airlie Beach and then setting sail on an old sailing ship overnight to sail back to port through the islands.

We were slightly concerned by the disorganisation of the company we had booked the trip with - the offices were in complete dissarray and the 'transfer' from our campsite was in a smelly jeep packed to the rafters with very excitable dogs - but in the end there was nothing to worry about:

- The helicopter trip delivered stunning views of white beaches, turquiose sea and forested islands

- We basked on the squeaky sands of Whitehaven Beach (the sand is pure silicon that would turn to glass if heated to 1800 degrees)

- We snorkelled and saw the most amazing coral we had ever seen, huge fish and a turtle!

- We helped sail the ship, relaxed on the decks and ate yummy food

All in all a wonderful trip and to top it all back at the campsite Mark got 'savaged' by over-excited Lorikeets (he was feeding them so its his own fault!)