To travel that tiny little way from cairns on the map took us 6 hrs!!! Its incredible how big this country is, I'm so happy we aren't driving it.

Ok so I left off in Cairns, just got to the hostel and was feeling more then a little grumpy! On the 28th had a great day though, we got up early and did a load of organising including the greyhound and booked an afternoon on a catamaran. It took us out to Green Island, one of the 100'sof little islands on the barrier reef. Apparently the sand is formed from coral. (Interesting fact for you all). We went out on a glass bottomed boat which was v cool, and the guide threw food into the water to make the fish jump around. Then we hung out on the beach for a while, but no swimming coz of bloody 'stingers'.

Had a great italian meal in cairns, its tourist central there so loads of restuarants and bars, with a couple of glasses of wine :-) then on to an irish bar called shennanigans, where we encountered our first members of the australian navy! Yes that's right, approx 300 sailors docked in cairns for shore leave at the same time as us. They were v nice although complained bitterly that all the girls had boyfriends they were very entertaining. Went back to Gilligans to try out the club, it was pretty good and we ended up dancing the night away before passing out in our room after some delicious fried chicken!

Next day we fended off our hangovers with a day by the lagoon. As there aren't really any beaches, they've built a swimming lagoon on the coast which is absolutely stunning and blissfully free of dangerous creatures! I could have stayed there forever.

The irish boys caught up with us, so we ended up going out again to a crappy chinese and then back to Gilligan's. Bit quieter on a sunday night but still good for dancing and nice to talk to some people we knew. Ended up watching the west ham game in the tv lounge until the security guards came to shout at us :-)

Had to get on the greyhound the next day with a massive hangover. I felt so rough, dunno what it is about my hangovers here! I think its the irish influence. survived the journey and got to our hostel...we've been spoilt by Gilligans i think. Its not terrible but we share one bathroom with many many people which is a bit s***. couldn't sleep due to massive heat.

Today was good, we went to the acquarium in the morning which was nice and air conditioned! then to the imax theatre for a film about the ocean, v impressive. Tried to go to the beach this afternoon or the swimming lagoon but  couldn't. The beaches are out of bounds due to recent crocodile sightings!  You can only swim within tiny netted areas too becuase of the deadly jellyfish, and the lagoon was closed due to posionous algae! The birds attack you here too! I swear this is the most dangerous place in the whole world. If we survive the night we are planning a trip to magnetic island tomrrow to drive around in a golf cart tyope thing and cuddle koalas! Will keep you posted! xxxx