Whitsunday's and Fraser Island.

Whitsunday's was a blast!
We boarded our sailboat 'Habibi' and I was keeping my fingers crossed that I wouldn't get sick. About an hour into the trip, I realized that my body was alright, and that I would be fine for the rest of the sail. We sailed for a few hours the first day, and anchored in Hook Bay for the night. There was a cook on the crew, so all the meals were provided. We had a bbq the first night. We also had quite a few drinks. Amazingly, no one fell overboard.

The next morning, we sailed to Whitsunday island, and chilled out in the sun on the beach. Since it's stinger season out there, we had to wear stinger suits, which I thought were just fantastic. After a few hours on the beach, we sailed further on, and stopped at the reef for some snorkeling. The captain was really counting on turtles being there, but unfortunately we saw none.

The second night was much like the first, only everyone knew eachother better. We rocked out on my guitar, had some drinks, and were having a good time, then the captain said he wanted to show us something. What was it? A mask and snorkel, only the snorkel had been turned into a beer bong. Uh oh. Everyone was drinking goon that night, except for me. Lots of goon was poured down that snorkel.
Once we returned to Airlie Beach, we grabbed some supplies, and headed back out on the road. That night we stopped at a free camping spot on the outskirts of Mackay. Once we set up camp, most people went to bed. But a few of us decided to go check out the local pub. The Eton Hotel. We walked in, and we could tell this was a very local pub, that probably never saw backpackers before. Frankie, Gavin, Jon, Seb, and myself ordered some beers, and before we had even finished half of them, one of the locals ordered us another round. Before we had even got to those beers, the same man ordered us a jug. He came down and started talking to us, and we purchased him a jug this time. Meanwhile, the bartender just stood at the side of the bar where we were sitting and chatted to us about things from James Bond, to Rugby, to Bundaberg Rum. He asked us if we knew how to drink Bundaberg(which is Australian Rum, and is horrible). We said we didn't. "Well, I'll show you." He gave us some free shots and told us after you get it in your mouth you have to swish it all over to get the flavour out. I'm sure I got the flavour out. It was terrible. I think Bundaberg is gross even when it's mixed with coke. Nonetheless, it was free and we were grateful.

The next day we set out for Hervey Bay. We camped outside of the town. In the morning, we went into the town, shopped around a bit, and then James's car broke down again. We tried to press on, but it broke down yet again. In the end, we had to leave it outside a ranch, because we didn't have time to get it fixed as we had to be in Rainbow Bay by 3:30pm to check in for our 2-night,4x4 trip to Fraser Island the next day. We made it in time, had our orientation, then hit the sack.

Fraser Island is the biggest sand island in the world. There was a lot of sand. We didn't get there to till the afternoon, so we set up camp and started the festivities. There were 3 4x4's, and 11 people in each. A pretty good amount of people to start a party. No one was awake passed midnight. In the morning we packed up, and set out for Lake Mckenzie. It had been so long since I swam in fresh water. It was gorgeous. After that, we drove to Lake Wobby. A few times it felt like the truck was going to flip because the roads were so treacherous. Once we left there, it was time to go back and set up camp again and make dinner. Night two was much like the first.On the third day, we started the day with a drive to an old shipwreck, followed by a drive along the beach to Indian head. We had to be at the ferry before 3:30p. We left at 1pm, which we thought would be plenty of time. Once we realized we might not make it in time, we flew along the beach. Fortunately, all three trucks made it just in time, even though we had been separated that day.Today, Gavin and James headed back to get his car(hopefully), and Seb took a car load down to Brisbane. The rest of us are staying in Rainbow beach tonight, and heading for Brisbane tomorrow.if i were a superhero, i'd wear that stinger suit.

the mental express

"So Steve, what did you do for your birthday?"

"Well, I rode on a ferry, had some chicken, then sat in a car for about four hours!"

If that was it, it wouldn't have been a very good birthday. Eventually, after James's car broke down the second time, we got to a Liquor store in Airlie Beach. I purchased a bottle of Slate Bourbon, which after drinking goon for the last few weeks, was a real treat. After I bought it, I noticed they had a Slate promotion going on. I asked the guy behind the counter if I could have a shirt, seeing as it was my birthday, and I bought some bourbon. Unfortunately, you have to buy the pre-mix to get the gear. But, after a puppy dog look on my part, he said, "I can give you a hat?" "SURE!" Well, when he was grabbing the hat he looked up at me again and said, "Medium or extra large?" SCORE. Hat and a shirt. Birthday's rule. Afterwards, we headed to a camp site, and had some drinks. Yadda yadda yadda....

Now, for the adventure thus far....

We left Cairns, and our first stop was Mission Beach for a night. On the way, we went to Josephine Falls, which was absolutely beautiful. Then it was off to Mission Beach. Guitar, goon, laughs, camping, self explanatory.

From Mission Beach, we headed south, and stayed in Saunders Creek, at a 24/hr rest stop. Nothing exiting to report, sorry.

The following day, we set out for Magnetic Island. Took a ferry out, and tried to book into a camp site. They were both full. The girl behind the desk said, "If you can't find a place, you guys could stay in my back yard?" And so it was set. She gave us directions, and we drove to her house, and set up our junk in the backyard. It was a fun night. Since everyone on the 'Mental Express' has heard me play guitar before, most of them already sing along with some of the songs I've written. We partied it up with goon, then retired to our tents.

The next day we checked into a campsite, and celebrated Clint's 26th birthday. Unfortunately we were all pretty tired from the previous day's, so we didn't tie it on very tight.

In the morning, which was my birthday, we packed up and headed for the ferry. (see opening paragraph)

Tomorrow, we begin a 2 day, 2 night sailing trip through the Whitsunday's, which I've heard is quite the little party, and you can better believe with the 'Mental Express' crew on board, there's bound to be a few people leaning over the edge.

frankie loves birthday's.

cape tribulation

The free Internet at the hostel has been down for about a week, so I was unable to get on here.

During that week, we headed up to Cape Tribulation. We took Frankie and Liza along with us as well. It was awesome. Slept in a tent in the rain forest. That's a first for me. The beach was spectacular. We sat down in chest deep water and drank champagne, then we headed into the shade where I rocked on the guitar for awhile. It was 2 days of relaxing, and 2 nights of goon for everyone but me. I decided I'd take a night off, because I know what is in store for me down the coast.

On the way back, we went to a lookout that looks out over the Daintree Rainforest. Again, a spectacular view to say the least.

Afterwards, we drove to the crocodile boat tours. Wow, again. When we were at the farm in Broome, we were protected with a fence. Now, we are in a boat that the Croc's could easily flip over if they wanted to. Luckily for us, we got to see the biggest croc that lives in the river. 5.5 meters long, and about as wide as they get. Our tour guide said he saw 'Fat Albert' take a full sized bull down, and swam with the bull on his back after he had drowned it. He warned us that we couldn't get too close because if he got agitated, he would come at the boat quicker than we would be able to get away. We started floating closer, and then the croc dropped under. Everybody's heart stopped. We all survived.

The drive was also quite amazing. We drove right along the beach with the ocean only a stones throw away.

What's next?

The 'Mental Express'. 'Cairns - ?'

12 of us from the hostel have teamed up, and are going to do the East Coast as a group.

We just booked our trips to Fraser Island, Whitsunday's and the Noosa Everglades. If these few weeks in Cairns were a sign of things to come, this trip is going to be a bloodbath.

such a tourist.

life's a garden, dig it.

Halloween is one of my favourite day's of the year. Mainly because it's an excuse to dress up and act like a jerk. This Halloween was no different.

We started of the festivities at the hostel, with an all you can eat, $4 bbq. It was good to get a good solid meal in, because I knew it was going to be a big night.

Clint dressed up as 'Nanna Jo', Amy dressed up as a mermaid, Gavin as a Chippendale, and me, I was 'Levi Jeans'. I have never stayed in character for so long before. From the time I left my room, to the time I returned to my room at the end of the night, I only broke character a few times. The best part of being a redneck/trucker ect, was it gave me a good excuse to shotgun a whole bunch of beers.

From the hostel, a bus came and picked us up and took us to 'The Woolshed'. Obviously, in Australia they don't take Halloween as serious as we do. I'd say only 60-70% of the people in there were actually dressed up. But, all that mattered was that I was dressed up, and I was having a good time.

Today, is Mad Monday here at the Asylum. I haven't participated in a Mad Monday since Drew, Matt and myself were last here at the beginning of March, so this should be a good time.

Until then, keep on keepin on.

Good ole' Nanna Jo.