Having travelled down from Cairns on the Monday I managed to get a really good deal to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef the next day. We got to the first reef location and the weather was amazing and there were crystal clear turquoise waters and tones of stuff to see. I was booked on to do two scuba dives but whilst you weren't actually diving you could spend the rest of your time snorkeling which is pretty much as good unless you're a bit of a spazz and turn your snorkel into a huge straw a decide to start drinking the pacific, which is always pleasant. All the different colours of the fish and turtles etc were brilliant. Unfortunately, my pictures didn't come out the best as I had a bit of a naff underwater camera. The best part of the dive is when we were circled by a 2 meter reef shark, fortunately this one didn't seem hungry so it was all good.

The following day I jumped on the Oz Bus which would be taking me down the coast eventually to Sydney so that I can catch my plane to Bangkok. This particular bus journey was quite an educational/entertaining one. The lesson learned: never sit behind Scottish people whilst traveling on a bus. Reason: A couple of jolly sweats decided it would be a good idea for them to bring a load of cheap wine on the bus with them (goon). Later on once all the goon had been consumed one of the Scot decides that he needs to be sick and therefore sticks his head out of the window and proceeds to vomit into the oncoming wind. As a result his spew comes right back into his face and also back through the window and straight back onto his intoxicated mate sat behind. Very, very funny!

The first overnight stop on the way down was a place called Townsville which is basically a massive coal mining town which also doubles as a huge port. According to Liam this was the biggest hole he'd come across since he'd been in Australia so I decided to stay just off the coast on Magnetic Island. It seemed really nice but as I was only there for the night there wasn't really any time to explore.

The following day we departed from Townsville and headed further down the coast to Airlie Beach (the launch pad for the Whitsunday Islands). My sailing tour departed the following day and it was for 2 days and two nights. The boat I was on was a world champion maxi racing yacht which is basically a bloody big fast sailing boat. Unfortunately, yet again the weather was perfect with some good winds to pick some good pace. The boat was great fun because everyone had to chip in to sail it by basically hoisting sails and getting very wet and when ever we caught some high wind the boat would tip right over and it was a free-for-all to cling to the boat so you didn't get left behind in the shark/box jellyfish/pretty much anything that likes eating people infested waters. It was all very exciting. The Whitsunday Islands were awesome with some great snorkeling although yet again you can't tell from the pictures because of my naff camera. Whitehaven beach was probably one of the most amazing places I been to so far with perfect white sands and crystal clear water. Although when you go for a dip there is plenty of reef sharks and stingrays to keep you on your toes.

After the Whitsunday's, I headed further south and the next stop was a place called Kroombit which is just a short twelve hour coach ride away. Kroombit is a cattle ranch right out in the sticks away from the coast with a bunch of rather strange Australian men that just seem to eat cows and electrocute themselves with cattle prods whilst drinking beer. It was all a bit bizarre.

After a night at the weird cow place we headed further down the coast to Rainbow beach which is yet again just a quick ten hours away and I'm basically just sitting in the sun around the pool after having done a bit of training for Nepal so I don't die over there. I can honestly say that I will never run up a sand dune again, it's the most demoralizing and sandy thing I've ever climbed. Anyway, I suppose that's it so far so everyone enjoy your day at work and I'll just carry on sunbathing.

Will xx