So we're back on dry land following our 2 days at sea. Don't think it will be an experience Steph will be in a hurry to repeat, I on the other hand loved every second of it.

Thursday, we left our camper van in the storage area at the camp site and after packing lightly, 2 bags and an esky full of beer later, we met our boat, Adventurer, at Abell Point Marina. Ali, our deckie or mum for the next 2 days explained the plan and on board we went to meet our skipper Cas. We left port around 2.30 after a short wait for an Italian couple who were running a little late. There were 13 on board in total 2 crew and 11 guests.

We sailed for approximately 5 hours and anchored just off Whitsunday Island, the largest of a collection of 74 island discovered by Captain Cook (got about that bloke) in 1770, named after the day they were discovered. After dinner and a couple of beers we had an early night before a 7am breakfast. I think that is were stephs problems began, the movement of the boat, and the fact that it was pitch black had her feeling a little sea sick.

Friday morning we ate breakfast and were ferried to shore in a dinghy speed boat, or tender, to spend 3 hours on Whitehaven beach. We walked across the island to Hill Inlet lookout and then down on to the beach. It's hard to describe how white the sand was and how it feels to walk across it, there will be some pictures, eventually. We saw alsorts of sea life as the tide came in, including sting rays and lemon sharks.

After being picked up and having lunch we sailed to our second stop and snorkelled near dolphin point, the reef wasn't quite as colourful as the trip we did in Cairns but the marina life was every bit as weird, sadly no turtles, although we did see one (Steph saw 4) in the morning coming up to take a couple of breaths to start the day! After an hours snorkeling we sailed on to our anchor point and tried some paddle boarding and watched an amazing sun set. A few more beers and chats with our new friends and we were ready for bed, unfortunately another restless night for Steph.

Saturday we had another chance to snorkel and use the clear bottom kayak before heading back to port. That journey was possibly the worst and at the same time most exciting I have ever had. The wind had got up and the crew set out the sails to take us back to port, we hit some pretty meaty waves and me being the idiot I am decided I would sit up the front of the boat to get the the best view, Steph sat with me for a while but had the good sense to get inside after being hit by a coipke of waves. All I can say is when we got to port I was rather wet and my hands were hurting from clinging on for dear life, all part of the adventure I suppose.

We are now on our way to checking to our hotel for a bit of luxury and to celebrate Stephs birthday.