Yesterday was my trip around the Whitsundays on a boat (getting good at this aren't I). Set out early and were taken to the harbour to get the boat Mantaray. There were only 13 of us so again a nice small intimate group. Started by going straight to Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday island by going through Whitsunday passage. This took around 90 mins and got a little bit choppy at one point but wasn't too bad as I'd taken my sea sickness tablets. Sat up with the captain for a bit and got to know the other punters on the boat. Dive instructor spent the journey trying to persuade me to do an introductory scuba dive and as I was the only one that was interested I thought I'd give it a go. Got to Whitsunday Island and walked through the forest to the lookout point then through the forest again to Whitehaven beach where we stayed for an hour or so. Just like Lake Mackenzie the sand is unbelievably white but here you have to wear stinger suits in order to swim in the sea as it's the height of the jelly fish season. Didn't go swimming but sat in shallow water watching the fishies and exfoliating. Went back to the pick up point for the boat where a nice "Mediterranean style buffet lunch" was waiting for us...mmm. Set off again across the water to Cook Island where we all went snorkelling out of the reef. This was my 1st experience at this and I really enjoyed it once I got the hang of the breathing bit. Although the water was a little murky you could still see loads of big and little fishies of all colours and all different types of coral and the time just flew by. Dive instructor came over, togged me up (ooer) and we tried diving. I could do everthing fine (even the little skills of clearing the mask and regulator) but just couldn't equalise the pressure in my ears so couldn't go down to deep. Tried it a good few times but my ears hurt too much so we just snorkelled around and went back to the boat. Instructor said I was the funniest person he'd tried to teach as I was like a little pixie (??!!). Although a little disappointing I'm still really quite proud of myself as I managed to do the bits that worried me the most, like the breathing and all the technical bits. Once back on the boat we had refreshments and cheese and biscuits and headed back to Airlie Harbour. Had a brilliant day and am well chuffed with myself. Got to go and get my ears checked out by a doc to see if I'll be able to do the dive course in Cairns in a weeks time. Once back at the hostel we all hung out and tried to watch a movie but I was getting too bitten so went to bed. Funny thing though, a girl moved into my dorm yesterday who's from Croydon - weird huh!