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Published: March 7th 2007
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We arrived at the bus station in Townsville in the early evening. We then found our way (somewhat haphazardly) to the correct gate for the half an hour ferry crossing to Magnetic Island, known simply as Maggie Is. to locals. After lugging the bags on and purchasing a ticket we relaxed for the journey and wondered what Maggie Is. had in store for us. Upon docking of the ferry we boarded a bus that tours the Island dropping off visitor at hostels and other venues. The bus ride took us around winding streets and then eventually we were dropped off outside our chosen hostel. We had been quite lucky to get a booking here back in Sydney, and that was three weeks prior! The whole reason for it being so popular was due to an event taking place for the Full Moon Party. Tim Deluxe was playing and as we have enjoyed his tunes before so we were excited to be going. The first evening we were there we had a few drinks and chatted with our room mates before calling it night, saving ourselves for the party the following night.
We had been toying with the idea the night
View from the road
Amazingly clear water and lovely coves surround the Island before about hiring a little open top car to enable us to see as much as possible in the two days we had. So in the morning we hired what they call a topless car and toured the Island for the day. We went right to the furthest side form where we where staying in Nelly Bay to Horseshoe Bay. We went on a walk past Arthur’s Bay lookout point and up to the old fortress that sits at the top of a hill. Sorry that is really vague but I cant actually remember that name of it! We met a nice girl (Lucy) on the way up and later invited her to join us for the remainder of the day. We went to several other bays, all beautiful, and had lunch together. During lunch loads of birds came to the table around us, some where really colourful parrots and there were also what I think was a stork of some kind. But when our food arrived we had to relocate inside due to the numbers of flies. I really enjoyed this day buzzing around the Island in such a silly looking car. We had to drop that car back
before five though. They were not going to let anyone keep them over night while there was an all night party going on. We hadn’t thought of how we were going to get back to the hostel after taking the car back and ended up having to fork out for a taxi back as a walk would have taken too long and we had to get ready for the evening ahead.
Once back we got ready and met up with Sylvia the really nice girl who helped us book everything for the East Coast leg of the trip in Oz. That night was really good and we danced around for ages. It wasn’t quite what I had imagined though, as you weren’t allowed on the beach and the music didn’t appear to be to be to some peoples tastes. But we loved it and were glad to have a chance to dance for ages like we used to do back in the UK to similar tunes. We watched the sun come up with Karen (we shared a dorm - hey Hun hope your ok?) and then it was off to bed to recover.
A large majority of the
rest of the morning was spent in bed! We managed to surface for lunch though and then chilled out for the rest of the afternoon. There were some new arrives in our dorm. We befriended two great American guys and spent the evening drinking and fooling around. Thommo took part in a dance competition and managed to pull off a wonderful canoe move (knee on one knee with arms in the air like using a ore, then drag self across the floor whilst doing a stroke of the ore) however, he also managed to give himself friction burns on both knees. Sorry Thommo but it was so funny!
We caught the bus to Mission Beach late morning the following day. One place we stopped for a rest and refuel had a river close by. When we wandered over to have a look there was a sign saying Beware of the Crocodiles. When we arrived at Mission Beach we took a walk to the beach. Even though it was a cloudy day it was nice to just sit and watch people.
The main reason for us going to Mission Beach was to experience white water rafting on the Tully
Birds everywhere
These birds were all around where we stopped to grab a bite to eat! Lovely colours. River. This took place the following day. For some reason we had thought it would be a great idea to do the Extreme rafting, even though neither of us has done it before and aren’t that confident in water. Well I can handle a pool or the sometimes even the sea doesn’t batter me too much. But a raging river is a totally different animal. The trip consisted of getting geared up and hopping in a 7person red boat. We were quickly given a few instructions and then we were on our way down the river. I had a strange feeling of excitement mixed with adrenaline about what was about to happen. It was very easy to begin with but don’t get me wrong it was straight into it. Then after a short while our instructor, a crazy but cool dude, gave us the option of a practice of what to do should we flip. A few didn’t want this but most thought it best to see what happens. It was great fun and we were allowed to swim down the river for a while. During which time I went the wrong way behind a rock and was trying to
Watch out for the Kolas!
There are meant to be quite a few on the Island, but we never saw any in the wild. You could go to one of the hostels and see them but we didnt bother as saw some earlier in the trip. swim against the current. By the time I realise what I was doing the other where shouting at me. It was a relief to give in and go the other way! Anyway we all got back in the boat and carried on down more rapids. We climbed out the boat again and all jumped down a water shoot. Thommo was the first to go and he took ages to come up, but after the thumbs up was given we all followed. You jumped in and it sucked you under then spat you out, it took from 2 to 12 seconds to come up. We all got back in, some of us needed a bit of a pull! The next obstacle was to swim a rapid. I don’t think I really understood what we would be doing, well I did but I totally underestimated it. I was just floating down the river then the water slapped me hard in the face, I managed to take a breath like they had instructed then after a bit of bumpiness and rough water my legs were sucked from in front of me and I think I was then whirled around, bit confused about the
Wasted people
These guys where in the dorm next to us! It was quite funny to watch them all. rest, just remember it felt like ages since I had taken a breath. Then all of a sudden I was out of it and remembered to swim at a fast pace to the left hand side as there was a big drop not long after. There was a rocky part that everyone was standing on having exited the river. I got to the rock but found I couldn’t stand up straight away. My legs were too shaky, I think the adrenaline rush had been to much. I did enjoy it in a way but I can honestly say that if someone asked me to do it again I would say no! The other event on the river was jumping of a 14metre stack. Some people weren’t to keen after the rapid swim but it felt good and after what had happened five minutes before it wasn’t difficult at all. I really enjoyed the trip on the whole, would just skip the voluntary swim next time. My back held up enough too. The most shocking thing of the day though was that there were two quite small girls in one boat that couldn’t even swim! I mean come on, that takes
Poor Boy
Thommo feeling very sorry for himself the day after he burnt his knees showing off dancing! a lot of guts to be hurled down a river knowing that you could easily fall out, in fact some instructors make you fall out. Our dude was cool though and even did some neat tricks with the boat (on was called the helicopter to those who have done it or know about it). After this trip we got a lift with the company to Cairns.
Onwards to Cairns……………..
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