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We had a great time at the Raffles Hotel :) most of our group came for slings and had monkey nuts, which we threw all over the floor!! Wandered around the waterfront- it looked lovely with all the lights on at night.
We walked to the Canadian girls hotel on Saturday and went swimming, had lunch and swam again ;) Got pretty freaked out by a load of planes and helicopters flying over, tanks in the road and cannons going off!! Turns out it was an annual celebration REHERSAL... They do it on Saturdays until August 9th.
Sunday was a really hot day, which is typical when we were walking around! Did little India and China town. Then headed for the Airport. Good job we left early because they obviously didn't want us in Oz- our visas weren't showing on our passports! We had to buy them again (£35 each) and then this guy took Jenna off at the other end to question her about it. Anyway, the flight was better than expected cos we were sitting by the emergency exit and with all the extra responsibility came a whole load of extra leg room :)
The stop in Darwin from 2:30-5am wasn't much fun but got to Cairns eventually and thankfully Ffion came to our rescue! She picked us up and let us stay at their campsite, thank you so much for having us and thanks to Robbie too for the loan of his tent!
Jen spent most of Tuesday out on the Great Barrier Reef and Lauren spent most of the morning asleep- the wind and rain was hideous throughout the night though. Jenna had a brilliant day on the reef, the little boat was full so got an upgrade and the sun came out, some good luck at last! It was a massive sailing boat and got a proper cup of tea for the first time in ages! Had a snorkel around a sand island before diving down to the reef. Saw some huge fish, some clown fish like nemo and different kinds of coral. It was so amazing! Had a huge lunch followed by a tour on a semi submersive submarine. Was an excellent day and thankfully the sun kept shining as we cruised back to Cairns. We met in the lagoon for a lovely, yet very cold, swim. It gets dark so early here!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to Ffion and Phil!! We really appreciated your hospitality ;)
Got up really early on Wednesday and still had a mad rush to get to the bus. Wicked bus driver/ tour guide girl called Toppi!? Drove to Buninda first and walked through the rainforest (in the rain) to see the boulders- very impressive! The town competes with Tully every year for the most rainfall and the average is over 8 metres in each!! Next stop was Innisfail crocodile park... Held a lush carpet python, a black cockatoo and a baby croc- called Fluffy!! Fed kangaroos and wallabies and patted a dingo ;) the crocodiles were enormous! Drove on to Townsville and got the ferry over to Magnetic island (Maggie.) Walked along the beach and watched the moon rise out of the sea :) one of the most spectacular things I've ever seen. Sat by the sea listening to music and making friends with the possoms- so cute ;) one was carrying it's baby on her back!! Stayed right on the beach, so fell asleep to the sound of the sea :)
Walked to the shop Thursday morning and back along the beach :) boat... bus... Airlie beach... We like it there ;) had really good burgers for tea and rather a lot to drink. Australian people are way too friendly!
Friday we set off for Kroombit Cattle Station in the outback ;) stopped on the way for a game of bowls! Which of course we managed to lose! 10 hours on the bus altogether.... got some really good views as we got higher, another gorgeous sunset :) and saw wild kangaroos and cockatoos on the way. Had soup and a lovely roast :) haven't felt that full in a long time! Did some whip cracking :P and then rode a meachanical bull, well fell off a mechanical bull will be more appropriate!
Up early again on Saturday for breakfast and then practiced with a lasoo for the goat rodeo. Jen was given a pretty fiesty goat but did okay considering. Lauren went horseriding :) really good fun.... we pushed the goats out of their pen and had to muster them through three fields. Lovely hack on the way back. Had a really awesome being cowgirls although now have to carry a cowboy hat around for six weeks. Back on the road this morning. Just arrived at Rainbow Beach but too late and dark to see the 74 different colours of sand so looks like another early start in the morning to check out this beach!
Hope you are all well, update again soon x
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