Fraser Island: Where You'll Find Sand in All Your Nooks AND Crannies

Lake Mackenzie on Frazer Island. Team B all in the water!
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One of my co-workers (Bronnie) had buzzed about Fraser Island so I thought it would be good, but it was even better than good and for so many different reasons - although it didn't start off that way....

We decided, or rather were sold (by a very good salesman too I might add), to do a 4X4 safari tour in a group of around 11 people that would all be around the same age as us and have similar interests.  So we headed up to Hervey Bay where the tour started - to meet our group.  Well, within 15 seconds of walking into the "orientation hall" Michael and I groaned, almost in unison, as it appeared that we were definitely the oldest ones in the room - and not by a small distance.  We reluctantly took our seats at a table, while loud thunderous party music resounded in the background,  and debated whether or not we should request a refund.  We decided - we're here, we wanted to see it, and at least we have each other - so we stayed.  Turns out it was a good decision.

"WE MISS YOU TEAM B!"

Team B: The Girls!
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Our group was the best!  There were 4 Indian girls that were from London (Kavina, Kilma, Anushya, and Pryia),  Emma, Casper ,Sune, Ollie, and George.  I am not sure how we ended up together because our ages and backgrounds were all completely different.  I think George was the youngest at 18 and of course I was the oldest at 30!  Whatever, it didn't matter, our team got on so great.  From what we witnessed of all the other groups on the same tour we had the best cooperation (everyone pitched in for the most part in some way or another), best activities (night games on the beach thanks to Mike), best food (barbequed in the pouring rain), and best team spirit (we were the first, and close to only, team that got into freezing cold Lake Mackenzie)!  It actually got to the point where our group became pretty exclusive.  Other "teams" would saunter over to try and get us to come join in their party but we were so happy on our own that we just ignored them.  One night we "gave up" an evening of drinking and partying for our own intellectual games in the back of our 4X4.  The young guys were having too much fun creating their own versions of "you can come camping if ..." to be bothered with partying with the other groups - hilarious!

Another picture of ship wreck on Fraser Island.
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The trip itself was so beautiful.  Unfortunately it rained about 70% of the time, but it didn't really stop us from having a great time and enjoying the sights.  We saw a Dingo (from the safety of our car), an abandoned ship, huge sand dunes which were really cool, nice rock formations, beautiful lakes in different shades of blue, and miles upon miles of white sand beach along the thundering waves of the Pacific Ocean.  It was so amazing to essentially live on the beach for 3 days - although we literally did have sand in all of our nooks and crannies as the title of this entry alludes to!  Also, the sunsets, moon, and stars were so much more vivid on the island.  The whole sky was lit right up from the moon - it was good for our evening games sessions.  It was also very fun to drive the 4X4.  Off roading was very neat.  In the jeep I owned I often went off roading, but it wasn't usually on purpose - my family will attest to this!  It was a very different experience being a passenger on this adventure however.  I had to sit in the very back at one point and it wasn't very long before I actually broke out into tears and begged to be let off.  I was so embarassed, but our group was so supportive and made me feel better about it.  I moved closer to the front and was ok to continue on again.  Phew.  There weren't too many options for ways back.  Speaking of on the way back - we got a flat tire on the way to the ferry.  Even when this happened though everyone remained upbeat and the boys quickly got to the changing of the tire.  They had that thing changed in under 10 minutes and we made it to the ferry on time - huge relief.

The ship wreck on Frazer Island
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All in all the trip was amazing and we made a great group of friends.  If any of you are reading this "WE MISS YOU TEAM B!"

Heather and Michael