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It seems like yesterday I was writing the last blog but it was 2 weeks ago so I thought I'd give you another quick update before I forget things!
Our plans were to head north and the main places we wanted to visit was Fraser Island and The Whitsundays Island.
We left Pat and Roy and headed for the Sunshine Coast, we only drove through stopping at some of the beaches - Coolum, Colandra and Noosa Heads.
Our first stop and first night camping in the van on our own was a place called Inskip Point. Inskip Point was a lovely place and the beach was very nice but I cant say I really enoyed the first night camping very much! We got there about 6pm and it was already pitch black outside. We drove through the camping ground and saw a spot that looked ideal for us so thats where we headed, not knowing that there was loads of sand there, so yes, we got stuck! After a few attempts of trying to get out of the sand we realised there was no way we were going to move without help. As we just gave up this
Aussie bloke came over and offered to help and luckily we got the van out - thank God! I think the guy was traveling on his own and may have been a bit lonely so he offered that we go to his tent for some food and some wine which was nice of him but the thing was he looked exactly the same as the guy out if the film 'Wolf Creek' (for those of you that dont know what film that is, it's the film where this man drugs and kills 3 British Backpackers. We had the pleasure of watching it on the West Coast - really wish I hadnt now!) anyway, we got in the van and didnt move the whole night with all the door locked at all times! Looking back now we were being complete muppets! ha ha! but hey, you never know do you!?
Our next stop and our second night was the town of 1770 (seventeen seventy) it was a lovely little town, the beach was lovely. Nothing went wrong and we didnt see or meet any scary people so our second night was fine!
We finally got to Hervy Bay (after
hours and days of driving). Hervey Bay is where you need to be to go to Fraser Island - Fraser Island is the biggest sand island in the world. The tour took us through the rainforest, drove along the beach and took us to some very pretty lakes. We decided to go on a 2 day, 1 night tour. It was really good and the island itself was lovely although I have to say, me and Phil had high expectations and we were a bit dissapointed - I think we have been spoilt by the West Coast, it was breath taking over there - perfect paradise but Ive not seen any of that on the East Coast. We saw all different kinds of wildlife there, turtles, fish, Eagles (we actually saw an Eagel swoop down and pick up a snake!), guanna, eels and of course we saw a dingo, it actually hung around the hut where we had our dinner - prob could smell the big juicy steak we were having!
We also did a 2 night, 3 day sailing trip around the Whitsundays. I was actually quite dreading it because I spoke to a Sweadish girl a few
days before the trip and she said that when she did the trip on the same boat as us it was the worst 3 days of her travelling! but as it turned out, it was actually the highlight of the East Coast so far.
The boat wasnt that great, the cabin stunk of dampness and petrol, no shower, the sheets were dirty and the 'matress' was a thin piece of foam! but hey, we've been in worse! There was 20 of us on the boat which included a group of English lads - Ben, Terry, Luke and Mark and 2 Dutch girls - Merit and Sabine. From the first moment we met we all got on really well and had a really, really good laugh! The 3 days were filled with lots of laughing and p*ss taking and thats what made the trip. The trip itself was ok, we saw a few islands but by the time we got to Whitehaven Bay which is on all the postcards and looks beautiful it was getting dark so we couldnt see the real beauty of the beach which was a shame. We also did some snorkeling which was ok, but again,
the West Coast was much better for that. The Tour Guide was a proper weirdo and was so annoying! At one point I actually had to tell him to get out of my face! He didnt speak to me much after that - thank god!Doing the sailing was something different and something Ive not done before and to be honest Im not in a hurry to do it again! at one point the sea was so rough I thought the boat was going to capsize! rocking from side to side. I didnt feel one bit safe and I was hanging on for dear life! but apparently its ok to do that!? I also got a bit sea sick and today - the day after the trip - Im still rocking like Im the boat - not a nice feeling (especially when your hungover - again!)
We got back to Airlie Beach last night and went out for a few goodbye drinks with the lads. We havent been in a pub for ages! so it was a nice change and a real good night. At the end of the night we headed back to our van which after staying in
the boat was luxury accomodation!
Anyway, we leave tomorrow and are heading south again, we want to get to the Gold Coast asap and stay there for a while before we have to take the van back.
Having the van has been handy and its nice to have the freedom but it can also be a bit boring, we didnt meet 1 person on the way up here and because it gets dark at 6pm you have the whole night sat in the van playing cards and drinking wine! Also, we didnt think we would have spent as much as we have on Petrol so its thrown our buget a bit.
The East Coast is a beautiful place but personally it doesnt come close to Western Australia. I cant understand why all travellers come here and most people leave out the West Coast? Having said that, it is still lovely here just different to the West Coast I suppose.
The time is flying by now - we're going to be home in 10 weeks! I cant believe it. I hope the weather over there improves by then!
Well thats it for now, I'll be intouch again
soon x
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Mum and Dad
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9 weeks to go..
Hi Carly and Phil, only 9 weeks to go now, so now you really have to savour every moment before you return home to WORK! The East Coast looks lovely but like you said it looks like the West Coast takes some beating.!! Carly, now you know why we never let you watch horror movies when you were younger!! Miss you both very much. Love Mum and Dad xxxxxxxx