Happy New Years! I can't believe that it's already 5 days into it. Time flies here in the humidity and heat.

We spent 9 hours on the road yesterday driving from Cairns to Airlie Beach, a trip that many have said should take 6 - 7 hours. Thinking that it was going to be a half day drive, we took it easy and stopped at many sightseeing spots, several McDs and the well re-known, Frosty Mango. They grew its own exotic fruit in the back, using it in their ice cream and gelato concoctions. We took the opportunity to sample some fresh fruits that we've never tried before like the fleshy sapodilla, and of course, paid $7 for a scoop of gelato. (Everything here is expensive!!!!)

Back on the road, we struggled with the frequent, random speed postings. Roadwork signs changed from 60 to 70 to 100 to 50 within a couple of kilometers. ARGHGH! Traffic patterns drove us nuts … imagine a line of 5 - 6 Aussie drivers tailgating closely at high speeds, rarely using their cruise control so speeds were unpredictable. One lane in each direction made it difficult to pass these vehicles in these raceway-like conditions. Don't forget there was the added challenge that we passed on the right here. (Note: My brain hasn't yet reprogrammed my finger to flick the right side of the steering column to signal a lane change so I still keep turning on the wipers! I'm sure it's quite a humourous sight!) I wanted to put it into a nice steady 108 km/hr and enjoy the view. Not today.

By 5.30pm, we were racing against the sunset to get off the highway. Being on the Aus roads at night was dangerous without a bull bar attached to the front of our car - no protection against wallabys and other creatures that might jump out. We saw a lot of wallaby road kill and an abandoned car whose entire front was smashed in with blood and other crap on it. But we couldn't beat the setting sun. Each sign to Airlie Beach seemed to always be the same distance! We weren't sure the road signs were accurate anyways. We finally checked into our harbor view room at 7.00pm in the darkness. Tight curves on the coastal mountain roads were scary!

John was so tired of not seeing any Aus wildlife that he absolutley wanted us to hit something so we can take a picture of it. He had seen many documentaries of the herds of kangaroos and flocks of cockatoos in the wild but, in the 9 hours, we had only seen 2 black crows and a possible croc sunbathing … although it might have been a log. I don't think the little fella, a small unidentifiable bird walking on chopstick legs, crossing the road by our hotel counted.

We tried to book some sailing / scuba diving / snorkelling tours but everything was booked up for days! Even so, it was $425 per person for a full day excursion out to the Outer Reef from here. One dive only. OUCH! Instead, we looked at some ferry over to nearby islands. Three options: Hamilton Island, Daydream Island and Long Island. All three were 3 resort islands - multimillion dollar investment islands to create a fun filled escape with attractions, condos, trails, pools, and restaurants. The $110 price tag to Daydream Resort included a 20 min ferry ticket, full breakfast buffet, access to resort activities such as snorkelling and a night's accommodation. What was shocking was that nothing on the island was 'unclaimed' nature on the small 1km island! Hamilton Island was even more touristy with high rises! WOW! We were looking for a day trip like a ferry to BC's Salt Springs island, somewhere unassuming and quiet to explore the nooks and meet quirky islanders. Weren't there any ferries to other islands?!? Even if there were, most of the other islands are uninhabited and / or undeveloped so you couldn't walk around it anyways. Arguh! We completely misunderstood the guide books about the Whitsunday islands! Just what are we going to do now for 3 days here? Guess I'll grab a book and find a picnic table by the ocean side.