Saturday 19th - Monday 21st Jan - Fraser Island
Got up early (5.30 eek!) to go to the Palace Hostel to check in and be placed into our group for the Fraser Island trip. We were both nervous as had heard some other travellers encountering some issues on their trips (not having their insurance bonds returned etc). After our introductory talk and safety videos with Wayne (the most unhelpful man on the planet!), we were placed into groups of 10 and were packed off to our shopping for the next 3 days within half an hour of meeting and with only half an hour to do it in! This was definately an Anneka Rice type challenge and if we had packed our bright jumpsuits and camera crew to follow our behinds they would of been used today complete with stop watch!! Considering we were a group of strangers with food and drink to get in half an hour we did pretty good and all pulled together. Sarah felt the best thing she could do was to ensure there was enough alcohol on board, she is definately her fathers daughter! (hi dad x) Charlie surprising was very practical and ran off to grab black bin liners and tea towels (they do say that travelling changes you and blimey it really has in my case!). We loaded the van which was a tight squeeze as we have all the camping equipment, ruck sacks etc for all off us at the top of the van.
Within a few hours us and the 8 strangers were bonding and having a great time. What a great group we were in! There was (in no particular order..) Roberto from Spain who kept us entertained with his Borat impressions, Jose from Spain who was mad as a hatter and a complete entertainer, Dave from Ireland - one of the funniest men we have met, he makes Gordon Ramsey seem like a choir boy as every other word was a swear word! His camping skills were second to none and had our tents organised in a flash. Chris from UK - we nicknamed him Cool Chris as he was a cool customer and we felt very safe with his driving and he organised everything from the tents to directions, Dave from UK - real sweetie, very sensible guy which is a good thing as we're not. The two Thomas's from Denmark and Leaka from the Netherlands. For 3 days we haven't laughed so much and had the best time ever. The first day we saw Lake McKenzie which was absolutely breathtaking. Pure white sand and the turquiose water were dazzling. It was heaven. Had a BBQ the first night and everyone chipped into help - lucky for us Jose is a chef so we knew we weren't going to starve! Had a party on the beach with another group from Palace that were camped at the same spot as us. Saw a few Dingos which we avoided at all costs! Going off to the loo was interesting as you have to go in pairs in case you bump into a Dingo - lets just say we now know each other alot more than when we started (or wanted to!) our trip! haha. No, it was fine not nearly as bad as we thought it may be.

The next day we went to Indian Head and Champagne Pools and saw some amazing views. The driving was very interesting and it was great fun to be thrown around in the back while driving through sand. We did fear for our life when Leaka took over the wheel as let's just put it this way, she makes Maureen from Driving School look like a pro! The 2 nights camping was amazing and we had such a good time. We really couldn't of asked for a better group of people - we wish we could take them everywhere with us!

On the final day, we went to Lake Wabby which was a lake in the middle of sand dunes and rainforest. Took about 45 minutes to walk there from the car park and walk back was very steep but work the trek to swim in the emerald green waters of the lake. Watching the boys running down the sand dunes jumping into the lake was hysterical and we enjoyed it. When we got back to base, Jose cooked us all paella and we had dinner together at the hostel - note to other travellers doing this trip - make sure you book a room at the Palace Backpackers as this will save you alot of taxi/hassle getting there and back. We were in the YHA which was a $15 taxi journey. Had a good night and it was a fitting way to say goodbye to everyone.