This message should bring us upto date i'll start where we left off in Cape tribulation after our night out in the rainforest, i walked back with ryan, sacha and jorge friends we had made from u.s, germany and spain all had a great night, luckily we got picked up along the way to!! We were leaving cape trib at 1pm so spent the morning down the pool and the beach trying to spot crocs also started to do some more homework from our lonely planet book, think we have nearly planned our itineray for asia. It was a long drive back but stopped at some cool lookouts, saw the island where steve irwin died, went to port douglas where tom hanks my lookalike is staying at the mo, filming. Went to mossman gorge we all had a swim and got swept down the river!!! Finally arrived back in cairns about 7pm then sorted our bags ready for our first day of our 4 day padi course(scuba diving)!! both very excited!!

Got picked up at 9am this morning by the deep sea divers den, and taken straight to the class room where we watched loads of videos and did a number of tests, there was only 7 of us in the group and our instructor andy plus a dive master in training tom who i was speaking to at lunch and guess what?? Yes he is from the Isle Of Wight too!!!!!!!!!!! couldnt f***ing believe it, even more unbelievable he was athe same school but in the year below!!! Very small world met 2 people in 2 days from my old school!!

Really enjoying being back in the classroom and learning something new for a change, it was a really weird sensation trying to gey used to breathing with all the equiptment, there is so much to remember, how to get all your pack ready, test it, test your buddy, lots of under water hand signals to remember. Including how to tell your buddy there is a f***ing big shark behind you!!! hopefully wont have to use that one. Got in the pool and had to do various drills like taking your mask of under water equalizing your ears so they don't pop, its great fun, but harder than it looks, a little scary thinking we will be so far down, didnt take them up on the offer of a night dive yet, think that one can wait til were abit more experienced. Will let you know how it all goes when we get onto the reef in couple of days, back in the classroom for our written exam and swimming tests tomorrow so fingerscrossed we pass everything, back at school again!!! argh the pressure, its a hard life x x x  love to all x x wish us luck x x

Hello everyone, hope your'e all fit and well? We'll start by finishing the Whitsunays trip off we left the update when we had just hit a big storm and the boat was getting pounded by huge waves(and broke our camera!!) its so annoying not having a camera luckily we got the photos from the memory card put onto cd but somehow managed to lose the cd!! This is why the photos are still not up to date, and might not be untill next week.

Anyway.... we soon discovered that hangovers and sailing are not a great combination, before arriving at Whithaven beach, toby, caroline and myself we taking it in turns to wobble waiting for the toilet. Finally we arrived at the beach all feeling a little better, then to our surprise we saw a turtle swim right up next to the boat it was huge. Got the smaller boat into Tongue bay and took a short walk up throught the rainforest to Hill Inlet it was an amazing sight, the bluest waters you will ever see against silicon, pure white sands, really beautiful. Apartely its one of the most photographed sights in Australia (hopefully our disposible camera will do it justice.)  After the look out we ventured down to the beach to swim, (clean our jewerly in the sand - it perfect for polishing metals!!) the lads all played football, europeans vs pacific and girls donned on our stingersuits again and headed into the blue waters. Lovely, boys spotted some reef sharks and we headed out the water just incase.

got back to the boat for bbq lunch and the weather held out for a little longer, until it started to rain again as we sailed to Blue Pearl Bay. Near Hayman Island we stopped to do some snorkeling, it was amazing as soon as you put your head under you were stunned by the thousands of fish swimming around so close to the surface, so many different types of fish. The reef was so colourful, full of both soft and hard coral and huge coloured clams that changed colour as you got closer to them, saw nemos, rainbow fish, angle fish, and loads more I haven't got a clue what they are called so might have to invest in a little chart to identify them on our scubar diving.

Sailed round to Stone Haven near Hook island for the night, it was stil abit wet so everyone, drank and chatted on bottom had another lovely meal and drank played various card games and picked fellow travellers brains about their Asia travels. The whole boat got on really well, tried to stay up as long as possible to put of going to our damp bed to sleep.

The next morning, woke up to the sound of more rain, so we couldn't go scuba diving again, by now everyone was quite happy to be getting back to dry land,  we sailed for about 5 hours, while toby and james played the name game with sports stars the whole way!! eventually got back at about 11am and said our goodbye arranging to meet everyone for afterparty drinks and meal that night. Started to feel rather land sick, very strange when you think everything is still swaying but its all in your head!!

Eventually got into our hostel, had a nap and washed our salty clothes. Met up with Caroline and James to watch Neighbours and then an all you can eat Chilli with Margaritas lovely. Booked the table under Tom Hanks (toby looked a spitting image of him in his yellow rain mac on the boat in the storm!)

Met up with the rest of the crew at beaches for beers but sneaked out early as we were knackered and heading to Townsville early the next morning.

Finally arrived in Townsville, had to wait around for ages to first get bus to the Ferry and then waited for nearly an hour to get the Ferry to Magnetic Island. It was lovely when we finally got to the hostel at 5pm so had to makke the most of our time there. we would be leaving the next day, so a flying visit. Had a wander around Geofrey Bay and Alma Bay, wierd seeing the Lifeguards in full yellow and red stinger suits (like full body catsuit - very fetching!) then waited ages for a bus (so much waiting around today, preparing us for asia) took us to Bungalow Bay where we met Caroline for a drink at here hostel, it was really nice where she was staying at the YHA it had a wild life sanctury with Koala and Croc, and we realised we could squeeze in a quick trip the next morning before getting the ferry.

Got the last bus back to the hostel at 8pm, sleepy island! At our hostel was the islands famous toad racing nite, it was very amusing but we couldn't afford to buy a toad to race kept being out bid by the locals. Stayed up drinking goon with some young boys fresh off the plane starting their gap years, felt like wise old travellers got them wasted on goon and they quized us on hostel etiquette very funny night.

Next morning we had breakfast with Possums and Kookaburras and some strange long legged birds, then got bus to the wildlife santurary. It was great got to hold baby croc, python, blue tongued lizard and have photo taken holding a Koala (not that anyone will ever see the photo the camara man was meant to have a degree in photography he must have gone to Derby uni as they were s*** photos!!) Koala pooed on everyone it stank, very funny, met a Cockatoo that would only let ladies stroke him, when Toby went in it fell off it purch trying to get away!!)

Had a rushed visit but was really nice little island would have like to stay longer, but straight up to Cairns, mananged to spot some Cassowaries bird (very rare birds) like huge turkeys that can kill a man with its claw. Passed throught the banana plantations with there first crops since the cyclone hit. Arrived in Cairns late got ready to travel to Cape Tripulation the next day.

Cape Tripulation is where the rainforest meet the reef, north of Queensland. The tour started with a scenic coastal drive up through the tropical rainforest, passed Elton Johns house, We first stopped for morning tea and took a wildlife cruise on the Daintreee River, spotting croc and frogs, there had been alot of rain the previous night lots of debris in water so quite often we were Loggodile spotting didn't realise quite how many crocs would be in the waters they are much bigger threat than we had imagined. The cruise was followed by a Jungle walk along the Marrdja Boardwalk, it was great to be under the jungle canopy spotting wilflife and vines, staying away from the Stinging Trees! Arrived at Cape Tribulation Beach house, situated right on the beach, staying in a little lodges in the rainforest. Only been there 5 mins, when we heard toby's name being called. It was Lucy from the isle of Wight, an old school friend on a day trip with her mum, We had already met her in Sydney, didn't expect to see anyone there at all, small world.

They were just stopping for lunch at the place we were staying, so joined them for a drink and had a chat for half hour then the were off again bit bizarre! After they left we decided to go on a little adventure and walked 40 mins up the road but didnt get anywhere as the rainforest went on forever. Had a swim in the pool when we got back as we were so hot and damp. Sat chilling in the pool for a few hours and made some friend who we later went to PKs the local bar/club with for Australia Day. The locals were pretty crazy and up for it jumping around to hard house music faning themselves with huge tropical leaves, random hippies!! Met some wicked people, tried to walk home with the girls with only pig tourch for light!! Creeped ourselves out with talk of Wolf Creek crapped it when a nice woman picked us up with a Night Walking Tour group, very funny.

Hi Tom Hanks (and Verina),

Had a quality time with you guys sailing around the Whitsundays and great time at Chilli Tuesday last night. It was an awesome adventure and it was quality to be with a couple of decent English people who only took the correct food quota unlike the Koreans and vegetarians. Bloody steak. Have a great time going 'up north' and all the best for Asia. Keep in touch and live the dream.

James

Hey all, we have just returned from another of our intrepid journeys!! This one turned out to be slightly different to the brochure version. We departed from Airlie Beach harbour in the glorious sunshine, the deck of the boat burning under foot everyone looking for a shaded patch on which to tip toe. The boat looked small for the 24 fellow sailors and crew that would be our family for the next 2 days and 2 nights. the boat ........................................

The boat consisted of mainly Germans and Dutch, with 3 South Koreans and a splattering of English, we were nearly the minority, abit strange for us, to not understand every conversation. (no Irish! even more strange!!)

Got on the boat dumped our goon box on the double bunk and put the rest of the alcohol in the eskies on the deck ready for the party to begin. Everyone lathered themselves up in sun cream and bathers on we got ready for some serious tanning when the heavens opened and we were drowned in glorious "Liquid Sunshine". The captains words, he then proceeded to say please don't ask me when it will stop raining as I have no idea!!! We were all soaked through to the skin but in good spririts and looking like extras from Banannas in Pyjamas (lovely yellow raincoats!) We put up the sails, toby got stuck in straight away it was all hands on deck, then we hit a huge storm and the skipper got worried at one point the boat was vertical on its side and we were all holding on for dear life, but there were no men over board and the crew managed to sail us out of trouble. It was exciting just like being in a world racing competition or something.

Eventually we passed through the storm and continued sailing for a while until it was time to anchor down for the night, the rain stopped for a short while and everyone decided to don on their stinger suits and have a swim around the boat, whilst waiting for dinner to be cooked. Steaks again (don't worry Granny we are being well fed on all these trips!!) washed down the grub with some beers and goon and all played cards and got to know each other a bit more. Later that night we climbed into our small, smelly, soaked , sandy cabin bed and tried to get some sleep before an early start the next morning.

Woke up to the gentle swaying of the boat and the tapping of rain up on deck, yes it was raining again, every thing was soaked and damp but we were all still smiling and hoped for good weather for the rest of the trip. Had brekkie and set sail again the weather started to clear up and we started to get a good spot at the front of the boat and spread out to catch a few rays of sun. We were all happily chatting away when a few waves started to splash onto the boat we were sprayed slightly but starting to become unfazed by the water, when we hit a huge wave which managed to sweep 6 people down the deck including myself, , Caroline (who cut her foot) and James, toby, who had the camera in his hand. Everything was soaked and the camera hasn't switched on since so we were then camera less for the rest of the trip!! Shock horror we here you say!! We were pretty gutted, but it gives us an excuse to buy a new camera when we get to Singapore a waterproof one we think is in order this time.

to be continued ....

Thank you kindly for your very touching message on our website - i'm not too sure mine will be as emotional but i will try - hehe!!

Noosa is really nice so thanks for the tip guys, although nobody seems to talk to us in the hostel :( except Tytti and Antti (bloody stalkers!!). Oh and we have a major bone to pick with you two!!! Guess who has checked in to Dolphins>???? BLOODY Barmy Army guy!!!!!! could hear his voice from a mile off when we came back from Koalas to see our friend!!!

Just looing on t'internet to see what my lurgy thing on my arm is as is seems to be spreading - fire ant bites/stings! little b*****s, and to top it off Sarah has some spider bite thing on her ankle that is blowing up like a balloon!! AHHHHH

Catch you soon - enjoy the islands

Pete

 p.s hey nicole and toby!! its sar. yes Verina i miss our chats loads, its jus me and pete now and he jus ignores me!!! especially when he's got his bloody camera!! dont u worry about the key i managed to 5-finger discount another one ;) but i'll hold u to the ale still!! hope ur enjoying whitsundays, u will have to let us know how it went. take care guys love sar x x

Were off to do Whitsundays later today, can't wait just got measured up for our stinger suits they look lovely and sexy. It rained yesterday in Airlie beach bit crappy, then we went out for drinks with German guy Dominic that we met in Dolphins and Dingos think you met him on the first night at Dingos, had some free drinks vouchers that we took full advantage off went to a club with lots of very strange it was full of boogens dancing round in Vest and trucker caps thinking they were cool it was a laugh a minute these small towns are always interesting!! Right better go, short and sweet (bloody peterpan internet!!)

love to you both missing you stay in touch

verina and toby x x x

We've been doing so many cool things lately weve had no time to write about them on the site and for some reason its not letting us put any more photos on the net! here is a brief summary of what weve been doing:13th and 14th - Had a great time in Noosa, wish we could stay longer its so nice here Staying at Dolphins Beach house its one of the nicest places so far. Great atmosphere and lovely people. Met up with our flatmates from Melbourne who have moved into a huge house in Noosa planning to stay til there visa's run out. Had dinner with them and drinks played lots of funny games involving an exercise ball and broom (don't ask!) Ended up sleeping in there van and didn't make it back to the hostel. Great nite and now we've experienced the campervan thing too far to hot for that now tho, think will stick with our air conditioned dorms. Spent the day yesterday boogie boarding it was great fun got dumped a few times! that night we had a great night at the hostel made some great friends howie from notts, Zelly, Matt and oli. we both didnt want to leave the hostel it was on of the best we had stayed in. Getting the coach up to Rainbow Beach later today where we start our Fraser Island trip cant wait Speak to you all soon x x

14th 15th & 16th got to Rainbow beach(getting used to these long coach journeys) Our friends Pete and Sarah who we met in coffs harbour then byron bay were also on the coach we were all doing fraser island together!! we couldnt wait on the island there is beautiful lakes crystal clear creeks, massive sand dunes, lush tropical rainforests, lookouts and coloured sands by the day, moonlight, stars and dingos by night. that night we took advantage of the happy hour at the bar in the hostel met some other people who we shared a dorm with in noosa, not much else to do in rainbow beach, woke up at 7am the next day ready for our free pancakes wont be doing that again!! all went to the beach tried to do some more boogie boarding but the waves were s*** and verina and sarah got stung by jellies so gave up for some lunch. Went back to hostel to sort our bags out for the next day, then we walked up to carlos sandblow for sunset, we had our briefings at 4pm this is where we are told about the island and what we could and couldnt do and how to drive and who will be driving on the island got put into our groups and given our maps and itenaries!! We had all seen a few members of the barmy army we didnt want in our group!! wwe ended up with me and v, pete and sarah an irish couple ronan and sharon, a Finnish couple anti and tytii and a japanese couple who im not even going to try and spell!! quite an international group they all seemed very quiet so we knew we would have to take charge and lead the group. Spent the next few hours trying to get to know them which was quite hard work, also had to order all of our alcohol!! which took forever!!

Got up early and prepared the 4x4wd ready for the trip which mostly consited of a male bonding session on the roof as they fought with the various crates of food and booze, eskies, tents sleeping bags, etc until they could fit everything on the top. 2 hours later we were all ready and raring to go. One last prep talk from Merv about how to chat to the Rangers and tell the Dingos to go HOME Dingos!! if they come to chat to you he was rather and interesting character!! taught us how to drive the vehicles.

Set off Boys in the front and the rabble in the back, in convoy to the ferry, it was a quick crossing from Rainbow Beach only 7 mins and we were off on the endless white sands, squashing the odd stranded jelly fish on the way (revenge is sweet!!) Made our way up to Lake McKenzie (slightly bumper ride) but it was well worth the trip, the most beautiful lake weve ever seen, just like the post cards and the brochures. It is white sands, and blue water full of tea tree so great for the skin.  Had our first lunch as happy campers sandwiches, and still no dingos sightings.

Drove a couple of hours down the beach and set up camp that nite we had some beers, played some international drinking games and spotted some dingos. Got annoyed by hundreds of march flies pesky things. Cooked some steaks very civilised.

Woke up early next morning and washed up in the sea, drove down to Happy Valley only settlement and got ice, then headed up to Indian Head where we saw Manta Rays, Turtle and some Reef sharks. Then went for a swim in the sea afterwards made our way to the Champagne Pools didnt get the full effect of the pools as it was low tide, will have to go back again one day!!! Stopped at the ShipWreck for snaps and then to Eli Creek were the boys floated down stream, and girls went spider spotting (they were huge!!) later found out there were snakes in the lake glad we didn't spot any.

Headed back to camp had quite an early night playing cards etc, everyone crashed early as we were all knackered from the night before.

Next morning everyone rose early and we were packed and ready long before tide so tried to get asfar as poss on the soft sand as there was not much beach to drive on. Had to take the inland routes made our way to Lake Wabby. It felt like we were trekking  across the Saharh desert the sand was so hot and the sand dunes felt like they went on forever. Thought we were seeing a mirage by the time arrived at the lake, wasnt quite as nice as Lake McKenzie was green but still worth the walk!!! Wanted to roll down the sand dunes into the water but the sand was just too hot. So we just swam across the lake instead, started to feel the odd fish nibbling at our toes and wiggly things swimming past your legs which was a little off putting hastly swam back to the other side fed our Salt n Vinegar crisps to the fish they loved them. Decided to take the Rainforest trek back to the car so we didn't have to trek across the dunes again.

Ronan sped us back to the ferry in rapid time (the Finnish looking slightly worried in the back!!) Made our way back to hostel and unpacked, had a wicked time , said our goodbyes to everyone, stay in touch Sarah and Pete maybe see you in Thailand, if not we'l hold you to the weekend Shire Horse riding and kite flying in Devon. Got on the coach for a 14 hours drive to Airlie Beach (discovered we had Sarah's Key oops!! sorry guys we owe you $10 bucks!!!!)

Spent today washing the sand out of everything and booked into our boat for sailing tomorrow, gotta go try on our stinger suits now. Photos still dont seem to be working got loads to put on, so hopefully be sorted soon.

Speak to you all in a few days when we get back. x x x

Hey there you two! Hope you are both really well. Sorry haven't been in touch for a long time....to be honest, it's too depressing reading about what you are both getting up to, especially when it is yet another rubbish day on the Isle of Wight! Just starting to plan my own adventure - I am going to be doing the whole Moroccan experience in June with Carly, Nicki and maybe some others - can't wait! We don't really know whereabouts, we want to fit in as much as possible, as long as I get to go in to the Sahara on a camel and stay in a tent I am happy!! Well best get on with some work. Take care both of you.

Love Lisa xxx

Just a quick one, we are having trouble putting photos on the web at the mo, think we might have gone over our limit so snap happy!!!

Anyhow we are in Brisbane at the mo, just waiting for our coach to take us to Noosa. Were we will be meeting up with our flatmates from Melbourne will be nice to see them again.  Brisbane was a nice city bit over the whole city thing now tho, would rather be at the beach chillin out, it was nice we went on a couple of walks, they have a man made beach in the city pretty random but packed full of families screaming kids everywhere. Wandered up to China town and Fortitude Valley round the Botanical Gardens (think weve visited every gardens in all the cities so far its freee!!) Went to cinema watched Pursuit of Happiness with Will Smith and his son that was good film. Chilled out in the hostel last night they had a wet tshirt competition which the boys loved (no I  didnt take part!!)

Eggy - Good to hear from you honey, we will definately have to meet up. how long are you in Thailand for? We arrive in Singapore 2nd of Feb, then prob take 2 - 3 weeks to get to Thailand through Malaysia so should be in Thailand at the end of Feb were thinking of goin to the first Moon party in March if you fancy it??

Rach and Nick -  Glad to hear you had a lush New year and xmas, cant believe you are back home in 6 weeks thats crazy, not looking forward to getting back to reality at all. Enjoy what time you have left guys!! we are awaiting one off you updates soon to steal your travel routes and any tips on Asia and any recommendations always welcomed.

Gemma and Knighty, Rob, update us on on theThailand goings on please!!!

Hey you two!!

How are you both? sorry i haven't written for ages, but i'm kind of crap like that!! Just been looking through your photos, you both look very well (love the beard Toby). The festival you went to looks brilliant, what else did you get up to over xmas and new year?? We were in derby for NYE, Adil and Ricky were djing at bar lisi, then we all went back to the boys house and got up to the usual high jinks that i wont write about here!!!

When do you guys go to thailand?? Me andf harriet get to Bangkok on the 16th feb for a couple of days, then we are heading straight up to chang mai, or that sort of area. will you two be in tailand then, would be brill'yant to meet up.

anyways, hope your both good,

loadsa love, Egg x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

ps, i think you should set me up with your other mate eggy. I think we must be soulmates! x