magnetic island

G'day guys,

Well had another good few days which were a bit more laid back. So the day before yesterday we got a 6 hour bus journey to a place called Townsville. The bus journey wasn't too bad actually. Haha the bus drivers wear these really funny uniforms here with shorts and knee high socks. The Aussies are all extremely friendly...even the bus drivers!!!! But I guess driving a bus down coastal roads is a bit nicer than jammed in traffic in England. Here the roads are really quiet- haven't seen a traffic jam once yet not even in Sydney!!

Sooo arrived in Townsville around 3pm. Our hostel offered free pick ups from the bus RESULT!!! So we rang and....nobody was available to pick us up damn. It's around a 20 minute walk...which is fine usually...but with heavy backpacks wouldn't be pleasant!!! Anywayy we managed to make it, with a bit of moaning and groaning!! Checked into our hostel and had a little wander round the area. Got some vouchers for cheap tea- six dollar burgers at a place where they were usually twelve dollars!! Bargain!! Then went to the cinema!! Haha as usual, to see a film called 21. I've actually read the book and remembered liking it, it's about a guy who gets sucked into counting cards in casinos in Las Vegas, but of course it all goes wrong...not a bad film.

The next day we decided to get the ferry across to Magnetic island....mapped and named by Captain Cook because of the magnetic effect it apparently had on his compass!! The ferry took around 20 minutes and we then got a bus to a nice bay. Wow, the island was beautiful. Really gorgeous. We had a walk down the beach which was empty apart from crabs and birds. We then got lunch then the bus to another part of the islands to do a 'forts walk' which is where a bunch of defences were built during WW11. Some lovely views were to be had from there and the walk was pretty nice and shaded under the eucalyptus trees where many koalas apparently live (couldn't see any though). On the way back Nick pretty much had me running saying we were going to miss the bus...of course we arruved with 15 minutes to spare. I also cut my toe quite badly as I was too busy looking in the trees for the elusive koalas instead of concentrating where I was walking!!! Flip flops probably weren't the most appropriate footwear!! Oops!!

Anywayy we then returned back to mainland where I got my second ice-cream of the day, then got a free bbq in our hostel!!! A possum (really gorgeous creature) came to investigate what the smell was!!!

Sooo we absolutely love Oz!!! Having a great time

love you all xxxxx

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