Hello!

I've had a busy few days since I last updated my blog (this is no holiday I'm on - there is little time for relaxation!!!!!).

The day after I updated last I went out on "Maxi Ragamuffin", which is a race winning sale boat. We sailed around the Whitsunday Islands to a place where we could snokel. There were lots of cool fish and coral - but not as amazing as when I went snokelling in Cairns on the outer reef (I can't believe I'm getting picky about such things!!!). It was nice to be on a sail boat, as out of all the boats I have travelled on in the past couple of months (there have been alot, probably more than I have sailed on in the rest of my life put together), I don't think I have been on a boat that could sail without a motor.

Anyway after Airlie Beach we went on to a home stay on a cattle ranch. It was FANTASTIC!! We got there and were welcomed by the owners Kate (British) and Paul (Oz) and were shown around. The farm was lovely, there were lots of well looked after horses and cattle and a baby orphan kangaroo. That night I got to feed the kangaroo its milk (it was so cute), I also got to feed a orphan calf called Hawaii its milk too (also very cute)!!! I was very lucky.

The next day we got up and fed the horses, Hawaii, Poppy (the kangaroo), then went for a ride around the estate on horses. Oh I nearly forget - I also got to milk a cow!!! The estate seemed very different to an English farm - there were lots of hills and trees all over the place, also there was a lack of water (a serious problem for Australia). On this particular land, the creeks and rivers have not flowed for about 3 years!!

That night we camped out under the stars on a hill top. When I say under the stars I really mean under the stars - no tents, we just had a swag which is a canvas covered sleeping bag. After Paul cooked John, Kate and I dinner of steak on the camp fire I pretty much fell asleep straight away (I was really tired after all the horse riding and stuff).

The next day John and I set off for Hervey Bay, which is the nearest mainland to Frazer Island. Frazer Island is an amazing place totally made of sand, but on which there is lots of fresh water and areas of rainforest! We went over to Frazer Island for a 2 day safari with another tour company. It was nice to be with another tour company as there were 20+ other people with us too, so more people to talk to.

Virtually as soon as we got onto the island we saw a pack of dingos (like wild dogs)! This was to be the first of many creatures we saw along the way (apparently these animals are not normally seen). There are no tarmac roads on Frazer Island only sand tracks so 4 wheel drives are a must! In fact the beach is a registered highway!

The first day we went on walks through the rainforest, swam (well floated) down a fresh water creek, saw a ship wreck and went shark spotting. We actually saw loads of sharks, rays, sea turtles and lots of other fish from a look out called Indian Head.

The next day we walked across what seemed like a small deserd (I can't spell sorry) to a fresh water lake. And then spent the afternoon by another fresh water lake. Which was very nice.

Yesterday I went to Australia Zoo! Crikey!! It was very good although there were a couple of wierd bits. The wierd bits of it were that there are Stever Irwin dolls etc on sale, and that their two kids are used in the marketing of the zoo (they are probably going to have issues when they get older). Anyway I enjoyed going to the Crocossium and wating a show where we saw a croc being fed, birds flying around and snakes to name a few.

Today I am in Brisbane. I have a day here before I head down to Byron Bay to start my dive course. It is going to be a difficult day because I am staying right near the shops and I just know I am going to have to buy some new clothes!!! I haven't been in a department store, or properly around a shopping centre since I left home!! I will have to try and control my spending!!! Ha ha!!

Love Louise xx