Our highlight for today was whale watching on the Tasman Ventures tour boat. We headed off for our half day tour departing from the Hervey Bay Warfe at 8:30am and arrived back at 1pm.

The boat trip out wasnt too bad, not too choppy. Within 30 mins from departing we saw our first lot of humpback whales frolicking in the ocean just off Fraser Island. It was amazing!!! They are so enqusitive, playful and elegant. There were a couple of whales together performing for us doing 'slaps' (like a wave with their flippers), 'breach' which is when they come out of the water (like in the blog photo) and also blowing out their blow holes alot. One of the whales come so close to the boat that we could have touched it, the funny b***** made a splash and wet a whole lot of us on the boat. Meg was stunned with the water splashing on her and she got a little startled l think, Boo howver thought it was hilarious and l just tried to save the nikon from getting too wet.

All up we got to see at least a dozen humpback whales, There were some showoffs that jumped out of the water alot, and their offsiders would just surface and slap the water. Was quite interesting to watch them interact with one another and also with new groups of whales. You could actually see the dominant one of the group and how the others would shy away from them. For such big creatures, they can be so quiet. You cant hear them approaching until you either see their shadows in the water or when they jump out or a splash or slap. Couldnt believe how close some came to the boat. Was quite skeptical when we booked the tour, had prepared myself for seeing one or two whales and l would be happy. You read the tours advertisements of the whale watching, being able to nearly touch them and see many in their environments. Well l believe it now. Our trip our exceeded my expectations and was a magnificant sight to witness. The crew on the tour were awesome and informative, while giving us all a feed and a laugh. Was a fantastic morning and money well spent, would highly recommend our tour company and the experience.

On the Tasman Venture we also came across an english couple with two girls, aged 9 and 7, who were on a 6 month trip covering 6 countries. From memory they were Fiji, New Zealand, Australia (east coast), China, Thailand, and India!!! It was great to talk with them and very interesting to hear about their adventures, trials and tribulations. Was also humbling that they wish they had taken the whole 6 months to just do Australia, they are loving it that much!!! Everytime we meet travelling families doing what were doing it makes me feel like were doing the right thing taking time to see this beautiful country and enjoy each others company.

Dont know if we can top this day in Hervey Bay for the rest of our stay here, but we will try. Were even thinking of extending the stay for a few more nights, more fishing and sights to enjoy and were running out of time. Tomorrow is Father's Day so the girls and l hope to make it special for Marty.....

Bell XXX