Wow what a fantastic couple of days we have just had. Cannot believe how much we have done and seen, it has been non stop! From Surfers Paradise on Fri 30.6.06 we travelled to Brisbane. We arrived in the afternoon so we were going to be sensible and sort out our bank accounts ready foe wehn we work, and alos get some idea of where to work and when. The banking systems are so much quicker than back at home. All we had to do is go into the Bank with out passports and they opened them there and then. Didn't know it could be so easy. We also went to a Job club to look for work, but where informed the best thing for us to do is phone the day before and they will allocate you something. With us going to Fraser Island it was out of the question but atleast we knew what to do. Being the stupid girl I am, getting to Brisbane realised I had let\ft my memory drive in Surfers with 2 months worth of photos on!! Luckily we phoned the internet place and they are sending it to me, but I would have been so upset if I had lost all of those photo's! The next morning we went to check out Brisbane. It was a large city with lots going on. We headed over to the city beach, which is a fake beach by the river. It was in such a good spot, just by the Film complex, which had loads of modern statues, flowers, and busy with street performers. We sat on the chilled beach and lagoon enjoying the hot weather at last. I am now no longer jealous of the weather back home! We hopped back onto the Greyhound bus to go and meet Charlotte and Kate who we met in Surfers in Noosa Heads. We arrived just as they were coming back from the Steve Urwin Zoo. Shame we didn't get to go, but they said it was really good,but as I understand Steve is really the main attraction. We just had an evening watching the very sad game of footie, England v Portugal! We were not happy bunnies about that. it sad we are now not in it! Ronaldo wants to watch out! The nest moring we were up to make the most of the lovely weather. The original plan was to go kiaking on the river, but our friends Fraser trip got messed up so we ended up soting out our Fraser Island trip aswell. It was all very spontanious, we had been booked in for the next morning. We went with a company called Beaches, and it was good as they have the only Base Camp on the island. We arrived in Hervey Bay the later that day at the Beaches backpackers. The hostel was dead quiet so we were a little worried we wouldn't have a good group. Although we needn't have worried. 6.30am the next moring we were put into out groups, and we were put with 7 other young english people. Me and Gem were assigned to do the shopping for 9 people for 3 days, others did the bottle shop run, and then we went to picj up our 4WD! Yay being 21 me and Gem were able to drive on Fraser Island. We caught the ferry at 10.15am and was on the island 30 mins later. And off we went. Our first point of call was Central station, which a nice walk but no one was that fussed so headed off to the ledgendary Lake Makenzie. This was beautiful. I have never seen sand as white, water so clear, and the sun so bright. You could have died and gone to heaven! We spent ages just soaking up the sun aswell as the unforgettablt scenery. Next stop was Lake Wabby, which was very much like being in the desert with the sand dunes for miles. I regretted running down them, as the trek back up killed me. Lot's of fun though. Then it was off to Base Camp. Our group being Team B obviously we wern't going to follow the rules and ended up getting back to camp after dark, and just in time before the tide came in and we would have just been stranded! Very tense last minuets, but it was all good fun! The only problem was setting up camp in the dark! Still my beaver skills, and all those years camping came in handy. We made out dinner and started to play drinking games which was endless fun! The old Goon was out again, loving the cheap wine! Next moring was a big test for the hangovers 9 people were bearing! Up at an impressive 6.30am and out of the camp at 8am. We headed over to the Indian Heads which was a fantastic view. After a short climb we sat on the rocks for an hour looking out for dolphins, whales, sharks and string rays. We were luckily enough to see all of them. The sharks fin was massive, so gald i wasn't in there! We then went to Elie Creek, where you are able to float down with the current, but it was a bit nippy, so we waded through which was just as fun. Gem had driven us there in the 4WD, and what a good job she did, it is not easy hadling a huge truck, 9 people and luggage, and dealing with sudden wash outs and soft sand. Lot's and lot's of fun though. We then went to the Champayne Pools. Now don't be fooled by the name, although it would have been nice to bath in champayne it names comes from the bubble produced by the waves crasing into the pools. According to our itinery we were mean to go and see some turtles, but we were behind so we went to see the ship wreck. It is a mad site as it is just smack bang in the middle of the sand. Also a little creepy! We then headed back to camp as the tide was due in at 2 pm, so we did a spot of sun bathing. I headed down to the beach to have a walk with my ipod and Jack Johnson playing and it was an amazing feeling. Tonight was the big BBQ night, so we chucked on the burgers and sauages, made salad, pasta and were given some left over rice from some Amercians in another group. It was the biggest feast but eveyone tucked in, and washed it down with some white sangreia! Yes it was bloody lovely. No time for drinking games tonight we just had the stereo up high and ended up dancing on the tables! Such a good night, and everyone in our group get on so well. We didn't stop lauging and singing the time. Another early morning to pack everything in for the last day on Fraser. We went to a coupls of lakes, but none of them topped Makenzie. We then headed to the ferry at 4pm to get back to the hostel. The package everyone had bought included a night back at the hostel, so the group was together for 1 last night. Some red sangreia this time and off to a club. Yet again everyone was drunk and having the best time. Just better mention some names to say hi to them all as they were such a good buncj\h of people: John and Dan, Sarah and Keira, Ped and Aiden and Laura. Sarah and Keira had a bus to catch the next moring but the rest of us went down the beach in the scorching sun and chilled out for the whole day. The original plan was to get a lift up with John and Dan in their Camper Van,but we all ended up staying another night at beaches as we stayed to watch the sun set. We had some dinner at the hostel and had a couple of beers to realx. We were up this moring and jumped in with John and Dan to head to Rockhampton. We stopped off along the way to catch a few rays, and ended up in Rockhampton at 5pm. We are heading up to Airlie Beach tomorrow to find some work, but the weather is mean to be amazing up there so we can't wait. Sorry this has been such a long entry, but we have done so much!!!!!!!!!!! Love to everyone Hugs and kisses Mel x