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Published: January 21st 2008
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After a promising day of sunshine on Airlie beach we were both excited to be boarding the Solway Lass. We climbed aboard and were introduced to the over enthusiastic crew. After a quick safety talk we set sail to our first stop. As soon as we left the harbour the heavens opened (which would continue for the whole trip). We got to know our fellow shipmates on the first evening as we enjoyed the on-ship bar. (Rum especially, that's what pirates drink!) We were in a six bed cabin, with two english girls, one scottish girl and a very tall german boy. A sleepless night for Harry as the rocking of the boat made her seasick, whilst Jon was like a baby being rocked in the cradle.
After breakfast and a quick sail we arrived at WhiteHaven beach. The rain stopped until we got into the speed boat to be taken to the island. The rain was unbelievable as soon as we touched the island. (Never seen rain like it in my life, it was insane. And they reckon they have a drought in Queensland!) After trekking what now became a waterfall, we reached the top of the lookout. Usually you
can see for miles and miles but we couldn't even see the boat three hundred metres away! We walked back down towards the beach and with our stinger suits reluctantly put on we played in the sea. Playing in the sea and running around on the beach in the rain was fun for about twenty minutes, then we wanted to go back. Back on board we had lunch (we ate about six times a day on this boat, but it gave us something to do!) Not much else was done on the first full day as the rain did not stop once.
We woke up earlyish and there was finally some sun. The plan for the morning was to go snorkelling, and the weather seemed to be on our side. Stinger suits on again we were taken to Blue Pearl Bay. As it wasn't raining the views of the coral reef and the fish were very clear. The crew threw food for the fish pretty much on top of our heads and the fish came from miles away to eat it. It was a really cool experience. We both enjoyed the snorkelling until it began to rain AGAIN! More food,
then we spent some time reading and playing UNO with some swedish boys. Although there is only so much UNO you can play. Everyone went to bed early, as the rain continued.
Next day we went to a resort on one of the islands. The rain held off on the final day, Jon went for a walk with some of the gang whilst Harry relaxed in the spa with her mate Kimberley from Dover! We had birds land on us when we first arrived on the island. Then we headed back to Airlie, where the rain had never stopped!!!
We arrived to flooded shops, closed roads and to top it all off a cancelled bus journey to Cairns! This meant we had to pay for another nights accommodation in Airlie and reschedule everything we had planned up in Cairns! Next day our bus journey was on and we arrived in a super hot Cairns where the rain had not yet reached! Stayed in a nice little backpackers but were a bit shocked at the number of Aborogines hanging around the street corners. The next day was whitewater rafting at Tully river. Early pick up at half six, we were driven
down the road to Tully. Kitted up with helmets and life jackets and told scary stories about the dangers we were to encounter that day! Jon was extremely excited about this whilst Harry was a little bit weary! After a few big rapids and a drenching in the waterfall (which actually was quite painful) Harry began to enjoy herself. We were the only two not to fall out of the boat in the rapids, but we voluntarily jumped in anyway. A lazy day in Cairns by the lagoon topped off a pretty wicked East Coast tour.
We flew to Sydney yesterday and our now only a few hours away from going to the airport again for a free night's accommodation. Our flight tomorrow is at ten in the morning and we are staying in Christchurch for a while. No great plans as yet but some extreme sports are on the horizon.
Happy Birthday to Pops Bowden. James hope you had a good Birthday. Steveo you seem to be in the form of your life since your beloved number 10 left. Hi to everybody else. P.s write on our blog!
If struggling to do it try on Harry's facebook page.
Love
to all Duncans/Baileys/Pysdens/Marshes
Lots of Love Jonny and Harry
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Andy B
non-member comment
Hey dudes - who'd have believed it - you travel to the other side of the world, to a place that's in the middle of it's summer and you end up playing cards indoors whilst it pours down outside...kinda sounds like a July day here! In fact it is raining as I write this - mind you it's pretty chilly too with no obvious signs of brightening up! I hope it does before this evening as some of the lads will probably decide to give footy a miss - don't like getting wet you see - mentioning no names of course. Speaking of getting wet - Pops got a soaking on his birthday. A few of the gang went up to the Hoe yesterday after lunch to watch the waves. Everyone getting close enough to experience the power of the water as it hit the shore, but good ol' Pops went a little too close, and of course with age your reaction times slow and sure enough with the next wave exploding against the rocks Pops was left dripping from head to toe! Awesome! Wel, despite the rain it looks like you guys are having fun from the pictures you posted. Some corkers...especially Jon finally getting caught out at cards - the pic says it all - always new he must've been cheating all the time at poker! My other favourite is the actual look of distress on Jon's face as he tries to work out how the cruise liner did in fact get past the bridge!! Look forward to seeing plenty more snaps from NZ dudes. Hope you guys manage to hook up with the Dryes - say 'hi' to them all for me. And Jon, see if you can sneak a Spurs poster up somewhere in the house - that's your challenge bro! Take it easy guys and God Bless. Will keep you up to date with important results in the footy (Arsenal tonight and Man Utd in the FA cup on Sunday), loads happening in the Heineken cup too - Saracens seeded top for the quarters - amazing! Catch you later. Lots of love, Andy.