Whitsundays, Magnetic Island and Cairns

Me sat next to a wall painted by school children about the soldiers stationed here
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Hello Hello!

So this is the last entry for the east coast. If it wasn’t for the computer in cairns it would have been up along time ago with the rest of the entries! Blooming Technology! It was going really well too. Probably my best entry yet! Full of jokes and witty remarks!! but oh well - c’est la vie!!

You know what… I was rubbish!

So I am now sat on my sofa in perth, using my mate Dave’s laptop watching ‘Dead Mans Shoes’ (cracking film). Its about 1 month since I was over t’other side of the country, I just hope I can remember all our antics!

Daan chilling
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We arrived in Airlie beach and checked into a hostel. It was far too hot to sleep in the van and tent. We were only there for one night before heading out to the whitsunday islands. Mike and the mechanics checked in somewhere down the road. we had a few hours looking around the town and a swim in the lagoon before going out that evening. (just want to interrupt here, but there has just been the biggest thunder clap I have ever heard!! Boom!).

Well… personally I didn’t really like Airlie. The town was nice enough but at night it turns into a horrid beer boys townie night spot. Within about 1 hour we saw a fight, and in a pool competition when I snookered some lad he threatened me and said I was a cheat! Ha! What a dick! So.. I think you get the picture! Wasn’t the best of nights! But the next day we were up and off to on our sailing trip so there was a light! In the morning we went and got supplies for the boat (beer!) and trotted off to the harbor. We were on a catamaran with about 40 other people. It was a little busy but not too bad. Everyone could find a spot to chill so all was good. We sailed for a couple of hours, at a nice pace, taking it easy man and relaxing all cool! The weather was glorious and the scenery pretty darn good!This is the life!

What a nice picture!
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We arrived at our island which was going to be our home for a couple of nights. We were impressed. 9 hole golf course, tennis courts , cocktail bar, pool and spa… Ooof!

That night after dinner the reps gathered us all together for fun and games. It was all good. I think everyone was in bed by about 11pm! It was just as well really because we were up and out on the boat at 7:30!! WHAT WHAT!!

We were off on a days sailing around the islands and a trip to the renowned whitehaven beach. I think it has been in the top 5 ‘best beaches in the world’ for a while now, and you can see why. Bright white sand, amazing blue water. Very cool. We spent a couple of hours there bobbing in and out of the water in our lovely stinger suits (had to wear them because of jellyfish – didn’t see one though!). So the day was basically a relaxed affair, splashing about having fun! We arrived back on the island at 4 which gave us just enough time for a round of golf. You know what… I was rubbish! Lost about 4 balls! I did hit a couple of sweet shots, one being into the sea after we had finished the round. I have always wanted to do that… and now I have! Tick it off the list!

Looking Da Bomb!
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The second night was a lot less rowdy then the first. Although there was an Irish group that still went at it hard of course! Its was nice, actually got to talk to some people instead of shouting!

The next morning we sailed back towards Airlie stopping off for some snorkeling and lunch. We spent another night in Airlie which was better then the first. We got to spend it with the group on our boat and talk about old times! So.... Whitsundays were amazing but Airlie not quite my cup of tea! The next morning we were off to townsville.

Nice view
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Well, from what I saw of townsville it looked alright, but to be honest – I didn’t really leave the hostel. We were so tired from the whitsundays we used the evening to chill out, wash our clothes and catch up on some TV. Oh I did visit a supermarket, which was well stocked and the staff very approachable – Good on ya!

This part of the coast is all about Magnetic Island. Its 30 min from Townsville on a ferry and is the sunniest place on the east coast. Something like 290 days of sunshine a year! All good! Magnetic island is a special place for me. Firstly its a beautiful place, with amazing scenery! Secondly my granddad was stationed out here in the war! How crazy is that. It’s the one place on my trip that I knew I had to visit. My gran told me about it before I left and some stories about what he got up to. It was pretty important to me to see somewhere that my granddad had been 60ish years earlier!

Renz rying to feed a rock wallaby
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So we got the ferry over in the morning which was a nice little trip, arrived and jumped into a taxi to go to our hostel. It was very nice. There was a pool, restaurant and bar all next to the beach. We spent the rest of the afternoon on the beach and mooching around and then spent the evening at the restaurant and bar. I had a very good thai green curry! We had booked a car for the next day to explore the island so we were in bed at a reasonable hour!

The next morning we were off. There was a recommended route from the car hire company which seemed pretty good. So first stop was the north bays. There were 3 beautiful, deserted beaches. We decided to take a few pics for my gran all waving at the camera with a view behind. We missioned on to feed some rock wallabies towards the central coast area. They are pretty cute, just like mini kangaroos. They hop up to you and take the food from your hand.

the pier
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The next destination was to the old war towers. This had to be somewhere that my granddad had been. You park at the bottom of a hill and take a 40 minute stroll through the bush. At the top of the hill, which is the highest part of the island, there are 2 war forts that were used to look out to sea for the approaching japanese enemy. The guns were never fired once! It’s a very cool place with stunning views all around – a must if you get the chance.

After the fort walk we drove to the most westerly point to watch the sun set… how romantic. We actually arrived quite early so didn’t stay too long… we have seen a few sun sets this year…. Plus we were starving! We drove back to camp and hit the restaurant. That evening we caught the bus to the only real late night bar and had some fun. Then got one of the two taxi’s on the island back to bed!

view half way up the fort walk
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We were up early and headed back to townsville. We had a big drive to cairns to complete! Magnetic island…it was great - I salute you!

Okey Dokey. Me and the boys had 4 days with each other in cairns. A very emotional time! The guys booked a dive on the barrier reef for the next day, but because I was saving the pennies I opted out. Instead I drove the van north for a couple of hours to check out some of the tropical rainforest. I wasn’t disappointed. Mossman Gorge was beautiful. I walked the forest track and enjoyed a fresh water swim in the river, Cracking! On the way back I stopped off in Port Douglas for a coffee and mooch about. Its very nice. Some big stars have holiday homes here – the biggest (in my opinion) being Mick Jagger. So that was my day on my own – I arrived back at the hostel pretty much the same time as the boys. We went out for some grub!

Looking out of the fort
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The next day was white water rafting. What a cool experience. I have always wanted to do it but for some reason other activities always came first. We were there by midday and quickly donned our sexy helmet and life jackets. Before we knew it were were paddling down the river. It was such a cool experience. There was a couple of occasions we were able to jump out and just float our way with the flow of the water with beautiful scenery all around us. Ace!

So…. It was coming to the end of the east coast experience. Myself and the boys went out for one last night. It was all good fun. Lots of reminiscing and picture taking!

Top Dog
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The east coast has been one of the best times of my life and a lot of it was down the company I was with. Two awesome Dutch Legends! Daan and Renz…. Safe as you like and hopefully friends for a long time!

So after the big night we had a chilled out day and a nice meal in the evening. The morning after the guys were off to the airport. I waved them off into their taxi, the next time I shall see them will be in Holland… as soon as I can!!

I spent the next 4 nights chilling out and socialising with my room mate. We went to watch Hot Fuzz – a damn cool film!

Waiting for the sunset
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So that’s it guys. The end of the east coast diary…. Just one word to some it up….. Amazing!

I’ll join you on the west side BO!!