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Published: January 4th 2010
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Shipwreck, Fraser IslandHi Everyone,
I have had the most relaxing and enjoyable Christmas and New Year ever!! Sorry, I know you all have had freezing weather back home. If it makes you feel any better the humidity is really fierce here, can hardly breath at times! I am getting a nice tan though.
We travelled up to Airlie Beach to visit the Great Barrier Reef for Christmas, leaving Hervey Bat at 4.30am to avoid the heat, it was a 10 hour drive. There is only one main costal road - the Bruce Highway, which is a single lane highway with overtaking lanes only every 20 kilometres or so, the aussie drivers are woeful! the road was littered with dead kangaroos. On the way up it was obvious that there is a poverty problem here, some houses were no more than shacks, they seem to favour using microwaves as roadside post boxes!
We stayed in an air conditioned cabin - an absolute necessity! Cristmas dinner was a 'barbie' on the beach, santa hats and swimsuits were the dress code of the day. The most stress free dinner ever. Swmming in the ocean is not allowed at Airlie Beach because of the sharks and
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75 mile beach, Fraser Island stingers - jellyfish to you and me! However we made good use of a beautiful man made lagoon to cool off in.
On Boxing Day we sailed out to Hardy Reef on the Great Barrier Reef, it was absolutely stunning, it must be one of the most beautiful places on earth! We swam with the fishes, every colour you can imagine.
Stephen and I enroled for scuba diving introduction, to say I was nervous was an understatement, to start with I didn't think I was going to make it down the steps with the weight of the tanks. Anyway we got into the water and had to practice basic checks like taking the air regulator out and clearing the mask... I almost chickened out!! 8 started and only 4 finished, Stephen wasn't able to equalise so had to return to the surface, he was really disappointed. I had an ache in my jaws with my teeth clamped around the mouthpiece, I was not going to lose it!! It is a whole other world down there, the sunlight streaming down was spectacular, we only went down about 15 metres but I think I am hooked!! Another personal challenge achieved.
Frances and
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The Cathedral, Sand formation at Fraser Island I took a helicopter ride over the reef, this was a fantastic way to view the reef, heart island was beautiful!
A fantastic trip even with the long drive each way! Thanks Derek - he wouldn't let the women drive!
We spent a few days just chilling and shopping, must remember I only have a rucksack!
We saw New Year in with a family BBQ and a 'few' drinks!
I spent Saturday and Sunday on Fraser Island, it has been a world heritage site since 1992, absolutely amazing. A really diverse Island, rainwater lakes - Lake Mackenzie azure blue, Lake Wabbie a sage green and Lake Allum - red!, colourful sand dune formations and rainforests, absolutely breath taking (will have to check the thesurus for other words to describe beautiful). I joined a group in a 4 wheel drive bus to see the island, again no swimming here! but it didnt matter because we had the lakes. While trekking 5 km in 35 degree heat and high humidity - not a pretty sight! - we saw a python, a 3 foot long goanna (lizard) and a dingo. How brave am I? This was my first solo adventure, I met some
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Indian Head, Fraser Island lovely people, shared a room with Chinese and German girls, then met some Irish girls at the beach bar. We all got up at 4.30 am to watch the sunrise on the beach!
Anyway getting ready to say goodbye to France, Derek and the kids and off to New Zealand tomorrow. Will be in touch soon.
Sue xx
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Lauren
non-member comment
:)
Do you REALLY wanna cum home?? xx