I have just spent the last 2 and a half days being sailed around paradise- it is tough being a backpacker.

The Whitsunday islands are really beautiful, unfortunately my camera is broken and the disposable I bought was s*** so basically I have no photos but I don't actually mind that much because I am not convinced photos would do it justice.

My boat was called the boomerang and is an actual racing boat having one the world championships in I989 and I990. It was very cosy down below deck with about 25 people sleeping in bunks but it didn't ever really feel crowded. I am not pretending my boat was luxury it wasn't but for the money it was amazing, we had huge amounts of freshly prepared food and the crew were really good telling us all about the history of the islands and as much as we wanted to know about the reef etc.

The first day we were greeted with fresh fruit platters and just sailed a little bit along the Hook Passage, and we were expected to sail and all did our bit trying to get the sails up. We went for about 2 hoursto a small inlet where we dropped anchor for the night. The sailing we did is like nothing I have done before, the boat actually tilts to nearly vertical and goes really quick- its no pleasure cruise. After dinner we all just sat on deck and got talking and star watching. I decided to tag myself along with spent some English boys who were on board, but there were people from all backgrounds which was good as everyone had someone to chat to.

The next day we visited Whitsunday Island where we did a small bush walk that gave amazing views over Whitehaven Beach. This beach is 99% pure silica sand and only NASA are allowed to take it- it is stunning and deserves its place in the World top ten beaches. The sun however was sooo hot and there is no shade so we all now have a bit of the sun dried tomato look going on. In the afternoon we continued to sail around the islands and stopped at Maureen Cove on Hook Island. After being told that the water contained eight of the ten most poisonous jelly fish and that it was jelly fish breeding season we were then invited to go snorkelling—ha ha I thought momentarily forgetting I had already paid to go for a dive. Well to make matters worse the crew member then called, and who is my one diver?? So not only was I having to get in the water I was getting in on my own FAB. No it was fine we got told to wear stinger suits and actually I think everyone got in for some snorkelling. I was actually not as nervous as I though because it all happened quite quickly and before I knew it I was suited up and failing miserably walk from the boat to the shore in my flippers and tank- it was a funny sight I swear the tank was twice the size of me. Anyway I did panic a bit at first when we had to do the respirator out of the mouth skillbut after that I was fine and I had a really good time and was so glad I did it because swimming in amongst the coral was definitely better than just looking at it from above. Better still the water was warm—woohoo. Now thinking of maybe doing my open water cert, just so I can explore a little more on my own in the future. I wont be enrolling just yet but can see my doing it in the future at some point. However I have to say Great Barrier Reef- not like in finding Nemo. I was expecting it to be a lot brighter than it was, and in parts it was but I would say 70% of it is just orange brown and not all that spectacular. The fish however are amazing.

Anyway I had an amazing time on the boat, now all I need to do is find myself a millionaire so I can do it again on the posh boat that costs $20000 a day to rent and docks at the luxury Hamilton Island ( where Nicole Kidman and Bill Gates have homes).

That night we all met up in Beaches Bar, along with everyone in Airlie I think for some free drinks and food which was nice. Cant see me rushing back to Airlie Beach any time soon I have to say, although there was a really cool market today but as a stop off town its ok and it has been nice to catch up with a few old friends here.