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Published: April 4th 2007
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The outback ranch experience was awesome!!!!
I had the best, most exhilirating horseride that I have had for a long time! Only 3 of us out of the whole group were experienced riders so the leader Jackaroo took us on a fun ride before mustering the goats. Before we headed off he asked us all if we were all sure we wanted to go on this part of the ride as it was a 'dangerous ride', I went with it but wandered what the hell I had got myself into- after all its been a while since I rode properly. So off we went staight into a full on gallop though the dust and trees that lined the majorly huge farmland. We skidded to a halt as we reached a hill edge, the horses scrambled down then jumped their way back up the hill. I was so hyped up my adrenaline levels were going crazy. I was so glad that we were put on kinda western style saddles as I dunno if I would have stayed in the saddle otherwise! Anyway after the thrill ride we settled down to a casual walk to muster a herd of goats from the
Bloody fast goat!
Me attempting to catch the goat fields to the arena area. The others joined up and off we went making silly noises at the goats to keep them moving and trying not to stand on the poor things. Whilst I was doing this David was having a go a clay-pigeon shooting. When I joined him 2hrs later we all had a go a lasooing and then gathered around the arena to play at pretend branding of the goats. They are fast when they don't wanna be caught! I ran around the arena falling all over the place to catch the bloody thing!
We had a BBQ dinner then had storys from the old man who owned the farm and whip cracking. Lastly it was time for a giggle when the north-bound bus v's the south-bound bus competed on the mechanic bucking bull. David didn't have a good go and came off quite quickley, I managed to stay on for 14 bucks, which was pretty good- generally the girls weren't that bad but the boys stayed on the longest and the South-bound bus won (we were north-bound).
The next day we were back of the bus, our destination Airlie Beach. We hung about here for a week
whilst waiting for our sailing trip around the Whitsunday Islands/Great barrier reef.
We were so lucky as all week it had been raining alot and some of the boats were cancelled e.t.c but just at the day we were due came it was bright sunshine.
We went on a slightly more expensive boat to the main backpacker boats as we had herd many horror stories of such boats. We were so glad we did, the catermaran was gorgeous and we actually had our own beds to sleep in (unlike some other boats!!).
We cruised to the first bay where we snorkelled amongst so many brightly coloured fish- it was amazing. Over the 3 days we snorkelled 5 times in different areas, chilled on the boat, David helped with the sails and chilled out in the evenings with great food, company and games including a very interesting game of twister!
Unfortunately we didn't have a go at scuba as one it was quite expensive but also because David managed to get a slight ear infection from all the swimming he'd been doing, so we couldn't anyway. But the coral is shalllow anyway so you can see plenty snorkelling.
On the second
day we went to whitehaven beach were the sand makes a swirl in th shallow water making a very pretty effect. We had many photos taken then played about in the white silica sand.
Next stop was Townville although we didn't see much as if is a very spead out town it seemed ok at the beach area was again beautiful. From Townsville we got the ferrie to Magnetic Island were we chilled alot by the pool. The hostel was right on the beach so a few nights gazing into the sea at night was nice. Whilst there I finally managed to get a cuddle with a koala-hurray at last! We also had cuddles with a snake, cockatoo and a small croc. We had a little bush walk and saw a huge spider, lots of fruit bats making alot of noise, lots of butterflies and green ants nest-where the guide ate one eeewww.
Back on the bus for the last time we headed to our final Aussie destibnation- Cairns.
Whilst here we went on an eco tour of the 'tablelands', where we walked through the rainforest, saw lots of creepy crawlys, went on a volcanic crater lake cruise and went
to an old spanish castle set in the rainforest. This place was called Paronella park and has a story of a Spanish mans dream that he made come true. The place was very mystical and I could imagine it having fairies flying about, you can see what I mean buy the pics.
So now just chilling till we fly on Friday- its now Wednesday.
Will update again in NZ.
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Carly
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You lucky buggers! Need I say more. Everyone at work sends their love, Jen is home apparently, haven't seen her yet but we're having a get together soon hopefully. Take care love Carly.