whitsundays or the wetsundays???

apologies for the lack of communication over the last few days, finding an internet connection has been a tad difficult but i am at the airport killing time in cairns before we hop on a flight to sydney so i have plenty of time to fill you in on what the chat is.

we moved on from trinity beach last sunday after enjoying our last few days chilling on various beaches and visiting cape tribulation on friday. this trip was spent cruising down a river trying to find crocodiles and we did see a baby but we saw more snakes and spiders than i would have liked - the spiders were mammoth and you didnt even spot them till you were underneath uuurgh. my heart nearly gave out a few times but at least they werent poisonous. (seems to be the only thing not life threatening in this country after the bloomin sharks, jelly fish and crocs). we then went on to emmagen creek (very aptly named) for a swim (no crocs i was assured would be there, i thought i was very brave) and then on to cape tribulation to the most amazing beach you have ever seen. unfortunately we couldnt swim in the sea because its stinger season but we did take some lovely photos and i did see a bush turkey - that didnt really make up for the lack of swimming but i suppose it was rather amusing.

on sunday we had a 7.5 hour drive down to airlie beach - it was kinda a boring drive but we had made a grand playlist for occasion and we laughed at the very amusing creek names such as humdinger creek!!!! you could see some of the damage which had been done by the cyclones and floods which had ripped through the area a few weeks back but it didnt seem too bad.

when we reached airlie we went straight to the pub as we needed a drink and some food after being in the car that long - airlie was a really cool place - full of young folk partying so it had a nice laid back vibe and the beer and food were cheap. it was great being in amongst it again as we had been in quite a quiet area in cairns so it was a nice contrast. after quite a session on sunday night we managed to get up very early on monday to board the Alexander Stewart for 3 days cruising round the whitsunday isles.

now whenever i see folks pictures of being in the whitsundays its always amazing white beaches, azure blue waters and lush green tropical plants - on the first day the only thing i saw which was lush green was ricky's face - poor soul was a bit icky on the crossing over to the islands - mind you it was a bit rough. we also saw no bright yellow sunshine that other people claim to see however we were bright yellow through our wearing of yellow raincoats as the heavens opened and we got pelted. however lucky for us it wasnt to last and we enjoyed some good snorkelling - didnt see anything particularly nasty which was nice - i half expected to come face to face with bruce from finding nemo rather than nemo himself (unfortunately he was hiding so we didnt see him either). we did see some sea turtles and cute wee coloured fish in the water as well as sea eagles, cockatoos, lizards and more humungous spiders out of the water.; we also fitted in time for some bushwalks to see some aborigine drawings and a visit to the beautiful whitehaven beach where the sun finally came out and shone for us making it the best day ever. we met some lovely folk and ate some great food as well as seeing the clearest skies i have ever seen - you could see the milky way and some planets without the need for a telescope it was so immense.

sadly the cruise had to come to an end and we had to endure the drive back up to cairns so we could catch our flight back to sydney which is where we are now. ricky is spending his time trying to work out where we will be for the scotland match on sat - i think we will be in auckland already however i have no idea what the time difference is between there and the uk yet. we arrive back in sydney tonight and we have a full day there tomorrow when we will climb the harbour bridge and then meet up with goggs and his missus in the evening for a wee farewell session. we head to auckland on sat morning - cant believe we are leaving australia already, have absolutely loved it here however i am sure new zealand will be equally as amazing. will try and get some of the many pics we have up soon but for now will catch you soon xx