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Published: December 12th 2006
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Checked into Dingos Backpackers on Rainbow Beach in prep for our Fraser Island tour. In the afternoon we were divided into our groups of 11. There was the 7 of us, one English guy called Chris (aka Perky) and 3 Israily guys called Shahar aka Dawn (we couldn't prononce his name so he went with Dawn as its means the same thing, despite it being a girls name), Guy and Omri. They were all 23 and seemed like nice guys. Food, alcohol etc was sorted in prep for the next day.
Following morning we were given all our equipment and had various talks on the Island, the 4x4 and advice on placed to go. Once we had packed up the car, Bekka nominated herself to drive first and we set off to catch the ferry. Once we reached the Island we had to drive off the ferry on to the beach for a short distance and then onto a dirt track. The first car got completely stuck, then we did and the others too. However, everyone else managed to get themseleves out and we were still floundering. Finally managed to get back on track after a lot of pushing and
various plans that failed. Whether you can drive on the beaches all depends on the tide being out and we had been given a map with all the times on, but unfortunatly all of us got off the track too late to get onto the beach to head up to Lake Mackenzie so we were stuck just off the beach for 3 hours. But we made lunch and enjoyed the sun. Our team, now named Team Extreme was the first to set off as we got fed up of waiting. All the others looked at us as if we were crazy as we set off. The ride along the beach was fun as we bounced around and tried to avoid all the wash outs. Once off the beach we headed along a very bumpy/holey track up to the lack. Guy drove and did well, we only neally tipped over once!!! The lake was beautiful, so lovely to swim in and cool off. Gorgeous white sad, it was such a shame that everyone else had to be there too. We had decided that we were going to get to the Ship Wreak before sunset, so we did not have as long
as we would have liked at the lake as we had to set off to avoid the tide and darkness.
After a long, very bumpy ride along the dirt tracks leading us away from the lake, and a slightly hairy ride along the beach, we reached the wreck before dark. We were hoping to meet up with the other groups but they were know where in sight. Set up camp and got dinner on the go. Guy insisted on being Chef and actually with Bekka's help, produced a very nice meal. We ate and drank, played music and had did a fair amount of dancing round our 4x4. It was good fun and nice getting to know the boys who seemed like nice guys.
We rose early and packed up the car only to find that we'd lost the key. Fortunatly, only a little unpacking was needed as Omri found it in his bag. Set off with Chris driving towards Indi Creek. On the way, bouncing around in the back of the truck tensions were a little high which Chris didn't see a large wash out (where rain water drains back into the sea often causing little rivers)
and we ended up going over a little sand cliff and very nearly totaling our 4x4. This shook everyone up even more and no one was very happy. The boys managed to dig it out and there was actually no damage to the car, luckily! The creek was very pretty and we wadded through looking for crocs - no luck! We then climbed back into our 4x4 and head up to the northen most part of the island, Indian Head. I sat for ages at the top of the cliff edge and watched the turtles, sharks and sting rays below. It was really nice and chilled, bit of a break from all the sand. We then drove to a camping ground and set up with several of the other groups. Again Guy prepared a nice meal and we all sat and chatted.
In the morning we once again got up early and hoped to make it to Lake Wobby before we had to be at the Ferry for 12.30. However, we had not got enough water the night before so a lot of time was spent deciding whether to go on the walk to the lake with little water,
but finally we decided water was too important. So the boys went to get water and we gate crashed a local swimming pool. Managed to get back to the ferry without getting stuck in the sand too much, however coming off the ferry the other end, we got completely stuck and we had to pratically push the bloody thing out. This was the final straw and by the time we returned to the hostel, all of the girls had really really had enough.
I think I enjoyed the trip quite a bit more than the others. Being in very close quaters with boys we don't know, not being able to shower and the uncertainty of the driving really freaked the girls out. They are now very adverse to any mention of Frasor Island or a 4x4. This was a real shame as most people rave about the experience and really enjoy getting down and dirty, but it just wasn't for us. Returning to the hostel for a well earned shower and a play in the pool was prob everyone fav bit.
Strangely enough, whilst playing pool volleyball, a guy I went to Uni with (Bungle, for all of
those who will know who I mean) walked past. Very odd to see someone you know from a different area of live in Oz!!
We have since moved on to Noosa and spent 5 nights in the Koala Backpackers. From here we went to Austraila Zoo, the zoo owned by the late Steve Irwin and family. It wasn't quite as good as I hoped but we saw lots of cool animals (will add some pics onto my blog asap). Apart from our day trip to the zoo, not much really to report as spent 2 days hungover, a day on the beach and a fair amount of time shopping. We met quite a few people there who we have met traveling down the coast which was quite cool. From there we moved on to Brisbane where we have spent the last two nights. Very good for shopping, but its really just enough city reminding us of both London and Birmingham. Explored the city yesterday, taking a boat along the river and walking round a very pretty park, but that was about it. We are now moving on to Surfers Paradise for a few nights.
Big love to all
xxx
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Robin P
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***Merry Christmas with sand in your shoes***
Hey, blog’s looking good and it’s good to see you looking very tanned and well still so jealous that you’re there soaking up the rays on the beaches & having lots of fun. Did you try any of those special cookies in Byron?? Can’t believe England have lost the Ashes already Nightmare!! Make sure those Aussies aren’t gloating too much!! Feels really Christmassy here lots of Christmas songs being played and decorations everywhere!!! And yep its absolutely freezing, but all good as need to acclimatise for the slopes in Jan fingers crossed there be some snow by then :-) Take care beautiful and have a wicked Christmas and New Years. Maybe be millions of miles away, but will be thinking of you. Rob xxxxx