East Coast - My last part to see of Mainland Australia.

With only the East Coast left to do of Oz (still got Tasmania left to go), thought we'd cram it in before christmas. Simon has done it before but loved it so much he wanted to do it again!

First stop from Cairns was Mission Beach where Simon had a sky dive booked (got cancelled due to bad weather). This was only a quick two night stop as its only a small place with not much to see or do - except the great beach, which reminded me a lot of Cape Tribulation. Met Idha and Tony there who we keep bumping into all down the coast. The East Coast seems to merge together like it is all one town, not because its all the same because its not. Purely because everyone seems to be on the same itineary (especially at this time of year). Most people are heading south to get to sydney for Christmas so every couple of days you seem to bump into people you met or did a tour with.

Magnetic Island next. A three night break. Got absolutely soaked on the ferry across, no-one told us that the back deck gets splattered as it crashes through the waves. But we couldn't move because it was so rough we kept falling over (even trying to move two steps). Magnetic was great. Beautiful island. Base backpackers was right on the beach. And I really mean right on the beach. Step off the deck and you are on sand! Izzy and Johnny met us there. Izzy from Darwin! Was good to catch up with her. Infact we keep catching up with her. Everywhere we go they have been about a day infront, so we keep bumping into them.

Next off to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsunday islands. This is one of my highlights of the East Coast and probably one of my greatest experiences in Australia so far. 30 of you (inlcuding 3 crew members) are crammed into an ex world racing boat called a "Maxi" for two nights. Everyone gets to Crank the Sails and join in with the whole sailing experience. Unbelievable. During full sail the boats tips upto 30 degrees to one side. The Whitsunday's were amazing. Unbelievable white sand (high in silicon apparently - good for polsihing jewellery). And spectacular bluey green water. Snorkelling was great also. Much better than the snorkelling we had done on the Great Barrier Reef off of Cairns. The Coral was great and the fish were much more varied than further north. This is something everyone should see in their life time - trust me!

Next off to Rainbow Beach to stay at Dingo's Backpackers where we were leaving from on our Fraser Island Trip. This is another one of my Highlights of both East Coast and Oz. We had a great group consisting of 3 Germans, One Californian, One Canadian (Toronto), 2 Irish (they get everywhere!) and 2 English - us! Oh and a Swedish guy, nearly forgot him - Sorry. Let me explain Fraser Island for a minute. Its a self drive 4x4 trip on the worlds largest sand Island. Taking it in turns to drive. Its a great driving experience. On the first day I drove to Lake McKensie (one of the fresh water lakes on the island), that was fun in its self. This track is one of the bumpiest on the island and it really gets the people in the back bumping around. The water was untrue, just gorgeous in colour. Went for a swim to cool off there. Then drove back to the beach to find the campsite in the dunes. The first night I cooked with Heather, Tony and Rag. Made a great Red wine stir fry with Garlic and cheesy mash. Bumped into Izzy again that night. The next day was trip to Indian Point on the north end of the island where we climb onto the top of the cliff's. You get some great views of Sharks and Sting Rays and some Dolphins although I could never actually see the ones that were being pointed out to me (hoax I think). So off we went for quite a long walk in search of the Champagne Pools that we knew were about 45 minute walk away, but in which direction we were not sure! Had to walk across some of the hottest sand I have ever experienced, infact I actually used energy (a new experience for me in recent months) to run across it to stop my feet from being burnt. Found out that the pools were a long the beach - a very long beach but walking was easy as we stayed next to the sea where the sand was cool and wet! It was great when we finally got there as we jumped in (ok, I walked in) and got the chance to cool down. The reason they are called champagne pools is because the water bubbles over the rocks into the pools - similar to champagne! The rest of that day was taken up by driving back to near our next campsite to the fresh water creek which you are supposed to be able float down - um, no! It would have taken all day to float that distance in that slow moving water. But it was a nice walk down the creek and another chance to cool down after the walk back from the champagne pools. End of the second day, set up camp again and cooked another great meal with a couple of the gals. Haven't mentioned her yet, but still getting on well with the Canadian Heather by this point. Just kinda clicked, well at least thats what I thought! Most of the group walked to the Ship Wreck that night while it was still light to get some photos. We had a bit of photographic fun taking silly photos of us jumping in stupid positions and of our shadows in the sand in James Bond kinda posed. Went to bed quite early that night, knowing that we were going to be getting up at 4.30 to watch and take photos of the sunrise behind the shipwreck. Got some great shots, well haven't looked at them properly yet, but I think I'm pleased. Set off early that morning - after a couple more hours sleep after sunrise to head to Lake Wabby. This involved a 20 minute (supposedly - in reality 40 minute) walk over some sand dunes. At some points there were 4 obvious different shades of sand right next to eachother, one patch up to our right looked just like snow on a mountain - it was that white! The sand was soft and made hard work of the walk but it was great when we got there as we could run down the hill and dive into the fresh water of the lake. Simon rolled in, which was funny as his belly made him do a curve before smashing into the water. I on the other hand legged it down the hill fast towards the water before stopping a foot short and proceeding to walk in. Wouldn't wanna rush hitting the ball line too quickly in that cold water (blokes will know what I mean). After that we headed back a long the beach to catch the barge back to rainbow beach. We won't mention the fact that I was told to slow down and the fact that I was called the worst driver (bloody Irish) and we also won't mention the fact that I told her where to go. The others said I was driving perfectly sensibly and had done nothing wrong - Back seat driver!!!!

A couple more nights in Rainbow Beach at Dingo's with a few more drinks with Heather and Tim (the Californian guy) and then off to Noosa for our Canoing trip. Don't really wanna talk about it. One of the worst experiences of my time in Oz, actually definitely the worst experience of my time in Oz. The paddling across the lake was a nightmare. All the other tour companies start at the end of the river, but ours... oh no. We have to paddle for an extra one and a half hours across a lake before we even see the river! The wind was up and the waves were crashing against the side of the canoe nicely. There were three of us in the canoe (most companies send out 2 in each) and the supplies for 5 people (all companies send out just your own supplies with you). So half way across the lake we start to take on water. Baring in mind that I'm not brilliant at the best of times in water! So over we go, all three of us falling in. Losing the stove and my thongs too. Which I luckily found a moment or two later. Thank god the water was only just over a metre deep, but this made it very difficlut for us to empty out the water and for us to get back in! So instead we had to walk for the next hour to the closest beach so that we could get back in the canoe and ditch some of our heaviest supplies (namely dirnking water) onto the other two people that were in our group that were lucky enough to be having an easy time on a sea kayak which holds sod all! The second day was good though. An hours canoing in the morning up the river which was perfectly calm at that time of the day and showed the most spectacular reflections in a river I will ever see! We then had an hour and a halfs walk up to a sand patch which is on the side of a mountain. It is one of the strangest things I have seen in Oz. Its like a beach and sand dunes but completely randomly placed on a mountain. 3 hours later and some major blisters on my feet and we are back at camp. For another uncomfortbale nights sleep in the tent on a very hard forrest floor. The third day was worse than the first. By this point Simon and Jess found it very amusing how scared I was getting everytime the canoe nearly tipped over on the lake! I was getting very pissed off by this point! Eventually the inevitable happened and we capsized. Another hours walk back to shore to get picked up. One step forward - two steps back - very soft wet underwater sand! Never been so glad to touch solid ground in my life! The middle day was great though, whether it was worth the other two days I don't think I will ever be able to decide!

Next, off to Brisbane. And to actually see a bit of the city... not just the airport, which was nice! Only had one night there. Met up with Ash (from Simon's Oz Intro group) and his girlfriend. They have been travelling down the coast at very similar times to us and we keep staying in the same places. Went to see Borat at the cinema, which although funny kinda made me cringe a lot. Don't really think it lived up to the trailers that I had seen! And definitely controversial! Maybe would have liked to have spent a bit more time in Brisbane. A lot of people say they don't like it, but I have heard just as many people say that they loved it. One place I'm pretty sure that I'm not gonna have any time to revisit!

Off to Surfers Paradise again. Not much to say here. Been there done that before. Still like the place. But didn't really do anything new or exciting there.

Byron Bay. One of the places that I have been looking forward to visiting since I got over here. Met up with Heather again. And got on really well. Unfortunately had to leave her behind (again) as she has found work there and will be there for xmas and new year. We only stayed two nights, which just didn't seem long enough at all. I'll see how I feel in January as to whether or not I want to go back and spend some more time there. Plus I really feel as though me and Heather have unfinsihed business. More on that another time.

13 hours later on a Greyhound bus and here I am back in Coogee Beach in Sydney! Where I started what.... 8 months a go or so. We just had to come back here to stay just 5 nights before we fulfill our booking in the city. It brings back some great memories. Unfortunately its raining which is a bit unlike Sydney for this time of the year. It should be about 28 degrees but its actually 21.

Might visit CBH tonight.

Last entry before the festive season I expect.... so.... Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!