Paradise and men in skirts

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Well hello there people!
Didn't stay in Mission as long as expected cause of weather and prospects of the next bus not coming through for about 4 days blah blah blah but am really glad i decided to go cause next stop was Magnetic Island or 'Maggie' as it is known to the locals and let me tell you that place is paradise!!
Stayed in this gorgeous hostel right on the beach in these funky little beach huts and at last the weather got good!! Really good, which is exactly what you need when you are faced with a beautiful beach and the prospect of a couple of days to chill out on it!.
We arrived early afternoon and went straight out on the Sea Kayaks. Such a laugh. I was in a double Kayak with a brit girl called Danielle (who incidently i had met on the trip from Darwin to Cairns - small world when your travelling) and we just couldn't get the whole paddling thing, kept knocking paddles while trying to avoid being thrown out by the waves!! After that i spent a little bit of time organising what i will be doing over the next couple of weeks (amazing how organised you have to be even when you have the time to sit back) Then the evening was spent enjoying happy hour, watching the sunset and playing a very strange drinking game with Ed (Med Student from New Jersey), Laura (English rose cross breeder??!!) and her boyfriend Dave (Ex-hairdresser). Can't quite remember all the rules but it basically involved a deck of cards, a wierd cocktail, and having to occasionally shout 'wanker' at the bar man (poor bloke).
Despite the heavy night i was up early the next morning for a hike up to the highest point in Maggie for some amazing views. After the hike those moving on hopped on the bus and those of us staying just kopped a squat on the beach and relaxed for the rest of the day - such a hard life man!! Maggie is such a chilled out place that it is practically asleep - so so good.
Left Maggie behind yesterday and hopped of the bus at Townsville. Didn't know much about the town but we had driven through on the way to the ferry and i liked the look of it so i decided i stay for a bit. Staying in a really nice hostel in the middle of everything, although saying that Townsville is so small everything is walkable. Went to the Museum of Tropical Queensland and absolutely loved it - its one of those museums that has lots of buttons so as you can imagine there were 5 year olds in there with more maturity and restraint than me!! Just spent last night hanging at the hostel before the best night sleep ever - i'm not kidding these beds are the best!
Today is Anzac Day in Australia (Kinda like Remembrance Sunday) so i got up this morning and headed over to the marina to watch the parade. It's a big deal in the Townsville calender so the whole town was out waving their flags and watching the old boys walk past parading their masses of medals. There were lots of old cars, horses, music, men in kilts, sailors in the crisp white suits (although sadly none quite fulfilled the Officer and a Gentleman Fantasy). After that i had another afternoon of grown up fun and went to the Aquarium. And yes i saw Nemo, Marlon and Dori. I knew it was them because they asked me directions before swimming off to join the 'Jelly Man' Turtle.
Gonna head out now and see what other Anzac Day celebrations i can find (think most of the Aussies are already pissed) and then tomorrow i'm off to Airlie Beach to spend a few days before i go sailing around the Whitsundays (so so excited about that one) so i'll check with you lot again soon.
See ya xx

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Photos

Magnetic Island
Look at the terrible conditions i am forced to stay in - its like being a student all over again!!

Townsville
The city of Townsville with Castle Hill in the background (will be climbing it tomorrow)

Anzac Day
The Anzac Day Parade

Smile for the camera
He is clearly very happy to be wearing that skirt - sorry kilt!

Wheres Nemo?
My names Dori and heres my story I'm from the reef and i don't eat beef

Big Fish
This guy was the size of me - fish and chips anyone?

Comments

[amy]

aww mannnnn
you've just thoroughly ruined my day! I MISS MAGGIE ISLAND. base backpackers IS paradise you are right.. that hostel will stay in my mind forever.. one BEAUTIFUL place.. mmm palm trees! is odd looking at your first photo, i have memories of our crowd being rather drunk (from a different drinking game) and us going through that gate down to the beach where skinny dippers took to the water. lord. **blinded.** take care missy. will be good to catch up when you're back and swap photos, if a tad depressing that it means we'll be sat in the UK. speak soon. i want a postcard, they're EVERYWHERE, no excuses :P xxx

[Laura]

BIG FISH
DID YOU REALLY HAVE TO HAVE A CLOSE UP OF THAT BLOODY MASSIVE FISHES HEAD, I RAN AROUND THE FRONT ROOM SCREAMING, ITS EYES FOLLOWED ME EVERYWHERE!!!!!!! I HATE FISH EYES!!!!! AND HEADS!!!!!