Arrived last tuesday in Airlie Beach, unfortunately all the central campsites were full so we ended up staying at a campsite just on the edge. It wasn't great but when the lady at reception told us it was only a 10-15min walk to the town (20 mins if you walk very slowly) we thought it was an ideal place to stay. We set off with anna and franz along the bicentenial walkway (wich is very nice) and after 20mins - still no sign of the shops, so we picked up the pace a little and 50mins later we finally arrived in Airlie Beach!! By the time we got there it was dark and all the internet cafes were closed so we turned around and walked all the way back! We decided to leave the site next morning, and came across a great backpackers right in the centre of Airlie with 2 van sites, its a perfect location - across the road from the public lagoon, Airlie Beach, shops and bars!! what more could we ask for!

We have just come back from a 3day/2nite live aboard cruise to the whitsunday Islands which was great. The boat was called powerplay and only had 18 passengers. We picked the boat very carefully as we didnt want to end up on a full on party boat with 60 drunkards!! All the people in our group were a good laugh though, all liked a bit of a drink and a joke. It took 2 & half hours to get out to the islands so we laid on the front of the boat soaking up the sun - it was heavenly!! The water looked beautiful and as soon as we moored up a turtle came swimming past our boat! We jumped straight in for a snorkle, the marine life was great so many colourful fish, corals and clams. We spent the evenings watching a slide show of the photos taken through out the day, drinkin some beers and chillin on deck star gazing. Both mornings we were woken at 6am (i was not happy!!) and we got straight into the water for our first snorkle of the day, which certainly wakes you up! The second day we went to whitehaven beach on the largest island, we walked up to the look out and what we saw takes your breath away - pure white sand lined with palm trees and the most amazing turquoise waters! we couldnt w8 to get down there. The sand was so soft and fine we were convinced we had found paradise (see pics) we spent the arternoon messing around taking silly photos using trick of the camera (you will understand when you look at the photos) we didnt really swim there though as its stinger season so it wasnt advised. We really enjoyed the trip and daryl wasnt sea sick once hallalujah, he has finally got his sea legs back!!

Leaving Airlie beach tomorrow morning, and heading south to eungrlla national park. see ya x x x