T H E G R E A T B A R R I E R R E E F

New years eve 2009 was spent scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. On the last day of the Noughties we had one of the best experiences of our lives. It was one of the most memorable days for us both. We hadn't originally planned to scuba dive we were just going to snorkel, but when the staff on board the Cruise Whitsundays ship explained how easy it was we decided it was a chance of a lifetime, so we bit the bullet and signed up. The pack itself was really heavy so after they put it on us I tried to stand up and fell back down, once you enter the water it becomes lighter but then you have to worry about the breathing under water factor. At first it felt really bizarre and I just wanted to come back to the surface and take a big gulp of air but the instructor took both our hands and took us down into the reef. The reef itself was spectacular, we went about 7 metres deep and saw more life the deeper we went. The area is home to a friendly 2 metre Mauri fish which comes right up so you can stroke its slimey skin. I had an underwater camera which we still haven't had developed but I'm hoping that I managed to snap a few photos of it, particularly one of Ben with it. The photos of the reef are from inside the semi submersible boat we went on, which was good for non-swimmers but the blue tinted windows took all the colour out of the reef.

W H I T E H E A V E N

Whitehaven Beach is widely recognised as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and is on the Whitsunday Island off the coast of Queensland. A few days after Christmas we took a trip there with Ocean Rafting. The inflatable speed vessel prides itself on an exhilarating, adventure ride to Whitehaven. As it took one of its many high speed turns I fell off my seat flying across to the other side of the boat and landing on fellow passengers legs. The outcome...a very bruised sore bum. We stopped twice to do some snorkelling in the turquoise waters of the Coral Sea, we saw some incredible fish and one particular fish that was a kaleidoscope of colour making it look like it belonged in the 80's! On our onward journey we got soaked in the rain but fortunately just after we reached the island the rain subsided leaving us with the beautiful blue sky we have become accustomed too. We took the scenic walk to Hill Inlet lookout point which over looks the pure white silica shifting sand; there are small deep natural channels that run up from the sea to the beach creating these shifting sand patterns. Hill Inlet sits at the northern end of the 7km Whitehaven beach. This post card perfect paradise island is uninhabited surrounded by forest, clear calm aquamarine sea with views of the surrounding islands. Not a bad place to be washed up for the day.

1 S T S U M M E R B I R T H D A Y

1st December 2009

My first birthday in the sun spent hanging out in the 32 degree heat (thankyou Queensland), relaxing by the pool, seafood on the waterfront, two deserts and too many cocktails. Wearing my present from Charlaine...thankyou chicka!!

C R I K E Y I T S A K O A L A

Getting up close to Animals in Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo