So my first overnight bus experience was definitely one to forget...I felt really ill all the way, the bus was crammed full so no space for any of your stuff and you had to attempt to get some sleep sitting straight up in your seat...add to that the fact that our driver was new the bus driving game so he got lost several times meaning we were late every step of the way...but the final comical moment (and you have to laugh otherwise you'd be suicidal at 3am!!!) when we got to the driver change over point the second driver hadn't turned up so we had to wait another hour or so while someone dragged her out of bed under protest that "I'm not rostered on today, honestly". Needless to say she drove like Michael Schumacher to try and get us to Airlie Beach at sometime near the scheduled arrival time. But to be fair when we arrived I think most of us wished she hadn't bothered as it was doing some serious raining, think comedy buckets being hurled at people and that's how bad it was.

So about 40 people emptied off this bus and all attempted to get some cover under the now heaving bus stop! But after about 20 minutes of waiting and realising it wasn't going to stop there was no option but to head for town on foot and enjoy the shower...So bags on off I went but I wasn't long before the weather inflicted it's final cruel blow as I went for a slide on the pavement. Bag on my back and another on my front I had no balance and went arse over into a puddle! And to make it worse I couldn't get back up, I was like a turtle stuck on my back from the weight of my bag, so I had to eventually wriggle my way out of all the straps and finally stand up much to the amusement of several passers by in their lovely dry warm cars -grrr!

I did eventually reach the hotel (note the use of the word hotel!). My parents flew over to meet me in Airlie Beach so it was luxury all the way for the next ten days - just a shame I arrived looking like a drowned rat, I'm surprised they even let me inside the front door. But take pity on me the hotel did and luckily let me check in very early so I could have a nice long hot bath and recover before M&D hit town later that day!

After a short nap I met up with a friend I'd met in Thailand for a coffee. As a local Airlie girl she was able to tell me all the local goss and places to go and avoid - shame she couldn't do much about the weather though! So when my M&D arrived we took her advice on dinner and got some much welcome food before packing for our next few days sailing the Whitsundays. I was also greeted with a belated birthday package from England with presents and cards to open - oh the excitement!

So next morning we were all up bright and early praying for sun as we left to meet our crew and our boat for the next three days. Well no sun, but at least no deluge so far...The first part of our morning was a fairly rough crossing as we made our way out from the mainland over to the 70+ islands that make up the Whitsundays. There was a lot of splash on the boat but everyone took it in good humour, at least for the first two hours, then the novelty started to wear off. But luckily it was soon time for lunch and we found some calmer waters to just cruise around in...only a brief respite however as the waves just got bigger as the weather closed in and as we arrived at Tongue Bay later in the afternoon no-one was looking particularly keen to go over to land. The promise of Whitehaven beach lured us all though - this is reportedly the most pictured island in the Whitsundays and is probably the one you're most likely to have seen, pure white sand etc. Anyway we went for a short bush walk and yet again my feet let me down as I went for a ride in the mud. But no more than a graze and I was back up and on with the walk to the lookout point. Unfortunately it wasn't very clear when we got there and although you could see Whitehaven beach it definitely wasn't the stuff postcards are made of. So back down to Tongue Bay for a quick swim before the black clouds gathered and the heavens opened. We all ran for cover but nothing could prevent the walk back through the bush over to the boat with water dripping from every part of your body, even your eyelids. So lesson learnt - never leave the boat without proper wet weather gear - shame no-one told us that!?

So to Nara inlet for the first night's sleep on bard our boat, but to get there we had to sail  back where we'd come from earlier in the day, so hold in, it was about to get really hairy! It now too wet to be up on deck so we all had to take cover below but it was pretty hot and stuffy which wasn't too good for those of you with delicate stomachs...there were quite a few people who had to brave the deck while saying goodbye to their lunch over the side..! But when we arrived everyone was glad of the calm and surprisingly wolfed into their dinner! As first days go it was one to remember for many different reasons and for my roommate even more so as it was her 21st birthday - don't think she'll forget that one in a hurry! Plus I'm not sure my M&D were too sure what I'd signed them up for - it had al sounded so idyllic in the brouchures..!

Day two brought some rather worried looking faces but we had a fairly relaxing start to the day as we sailed further up the inlet where we'd stayed overnight so no big waves here. Fully prepared this time we went on land with our beautiful yellow raincoats as we went for another bush walk, this time to a waterfall. It was pretty slippery walking and many people fell over but for once not me! Then we sailed around to Maureen cover for lunch and the weather had improved enough for us to get in the water and do some snorkelling. Even my M&D got in, overcame their fear of water and fully kitted out with attractive stinger suits, woggles and life jackets, were able to enjoy the underwater aquarium from the best view possible - within the water. We were even able to have dinner up on deck on the second night, this was more like the way it should be, watching the sunset, having a few drinks under the stars and then fish spotting by torchlight...we saw a huge trevally eating all the bright pink squid (you normally heard him before you saw him!) and a massive batfish too.

Last day and by now we were all getting used to this boating thing...we set off early for our final destination, Blue Pearl Bay. It was a beautiful setting and we all went out snorkelling again. This time the crew decided to feed the fish while we were in the water so we had fish all around us, nibbling at us as they mistook us for their breakfast. We also got to meet Priscilla, a huge wrasse fish. Apparently she used to have a mate, Elvis, but unfortunately he's no longer with us! Then it was back on board for lunch and hoisted the sails for a more leisurely cruise back to Airlie Beach. Now I've described this as leisurely but I think my Mum would probably have chosen a slightly different word as the boat was keeled over to one side very heavily, as is right when you're doing some proper sailing, but I'm not sure she was convinced it was the safest way home!

Once back on land everyone headed for the relative sanctuary of their accommodation for a nice warm shower and some clean dry clothes. Then we all went out for a final farewell meal, to reminisce and laugh about our previous three days adventures - ah the stories we have to look back on!