Hey Guys!

I have just stepped back onshore from my three day journey around the Whitsunday Islands. I travelled on a catamaran called The Pride of Airlie, and it came complete with a loud sound system and a coolbox full of soft drinks and beer. On the first day we made the 45 minute trip to South Molle Island, where our accomodation was situated. The voyage itself was beautiful, gently rocking to the motion of the ocean as we crusied under a blue sky atop a clear sea. We passed many small, rocky Islands, and spotted many types of fish. South Molle itself is a relatively large resort Island, complete with pool, golf, archery and many fine walks. After checking out the accomodation (namely, six share dorms with ensuite), I made my way to the aforementioned pool, and basically did a bit of exploration. Again, wildlife was in abundance, mainly in the form of parraquets and bush birds. After watching the sun settle into the ocean, I adjourned with my companions to the bar for dinner, and then, still exhausted after Mission Beach and the bus ride, I went to bed.

Yesterday was our only full day in the Islands, and it was an early start for breakfast and then on to the boat. Again, most of the day was spent crusing the Islands, but we did stop off at Whitehaven beach for a couple of hours. This beach boasts the world's most pure sand, at 98% silicon. Indeed, it is so pure that NASA once took a ton of it to melt down to form the lense of the Hubble Space Telescope! We had lunch onboard before once again returing to Molle for dinner.

Today was by far the best day of the excursion for me. Again, we left early and sailed to Black Island, where we promptly jumped off the boat and into the water for some snorkling. The concept of snorkling was a bit different here to what I had experienced in Cairns. This was due to the fact that no fins were allowed to protect the coral from accidental damage, and the imposition of stinger suits to protect us from the Jellyfish. This made it a lot harder to swim, and therefore less ground was coverable. That said, I still managed to see a myriad of colourfish, including Flatfish, and also some pretty nice coral. It was then back on the boat and the journey back to Airlie Beach. I booked myself into a dorm on land, because although I have a bus leaving at 8pm to take me down to my next stop, Hervey Bay, I had seven hours to kill and needed a shower, to charge my phone and sort out my packing, and so it was easier to have a base than trying to do it all on the street!

All in all this was a great leg on my journey south, except for some minor sunburn that was inavoidable despite me applying factor 40 every 30 minutes! A few words of advice for anyone looking at doing this trip. Double check what kind of boat you are booked on to, as they range for hardcore party boats where you will drink lots but see little, to fast touring ships that will show you so much in a short time that your brain may well melt! Just make sure you choose the option that is most suitable for you. And take sunscreen, lots and lots of sunscreen. I will log back in when I get back from exploring Fraser Island at Hervey Bay!!