Tuesday 10th February

On Friday we got the bus which we had been told was going to Townsville. On the way the driver announced that one of the roads was still flooded and we wouldn't be able to get through. We had to spend the night in Bowen, a very small town. We managed to find a place to stay above a piub. Our room was basic, just a bunk bed, but seemed ok for the night. There was anything to do in Bowen so we had a wander around and had some dinner. The music from the bar below was really loud and didn't stop till 1.30am. The fire alarm then went off a little later and didn't stop for a while so we headed outside but then it stopped so went back to bed. It went off 2 more time in the night but only for a few seconds each time. The next morning it was still raining hard, but the bus said it was going through to Townsville, so we got on. We got to Townsville and got the ferry over to Magnetic Island. We checked into our hostel (Bungalow Bay YHA) and went to our own little hut. We were dubious at first as it was a small room with a very low bed with a fridge in it. We were fed up with the rain but had a wander around to see what there was. That night we discovered 2 Geckos on our ceiling, and we were both freaked out. Chris tried to shoo them away with a broom handle. Another one stuck its head through one of the boards above the door, so we found out how they were getting in. We decided to sleep under the mosquito net to be safe. At night we saw a few Wallabys outside our hut. The next day it was still raining so we just played some games and chilled out. There was a TV in the bar that night so we watched some films. Luckily our last day was sunny. We did the tour at the adjacent sanctuary in the morning. We got to hold a crocodile, parrot and carpet python and touch lizards, echidnas and koalas. In the afternoon we did a 6km walk up to The Forts. We saw some WWII ruins and there were some good views from the top of the hill. In one of the buildings there was the biggest spider ever, bigger than a turantula and my head. We also saw some wild Koalas quite close up and some snakes. Today we got the ferry back to Townsville and are spending a few nights there.

Sunday 15th February

We ended up staying 4 nights at Reef Lodge. We didn't do a lot there. On our first day we went to the Rock Pool for a swim and sunbathe. It was a pool that was closed off from the sea but salt water circulated through. There was still a small danger of jelly fish in the pool so we didn't stay in it too long. The enxt day we had a wander around town and went to the cinemas to see "He's just not that into you" which was good.

We travelled up to Mission Beach yesterday and are staying here 3 nights. We went out for a no expense spared Valentines Day meal using the meal deal vouchers from our hostel and had a pizza and drink for $12 (6pounds). Today we spent at the beach as it was a beautiful day and the beach was quiet. We mostly sat in the shade as it was so hot and read our books. Chris had a swim in the sea in the jelly fish net area and we both watched some sky divers coming in and landing in front of us on the beach. There has been storms most nights recently with thunder and lightning.

We are heading up to Cairns tomorrow (Helens birthday) for nights. It should be good as its a bigger town and we will hopefully do a reef trip from there.