Fraser Island

let me say that Fraser Island has been the highlight of my trip.

I arrived at my hostel in Hervey bay, staying just one night before pick up for the Island adventure. I met a few people... snobby damn hippie backpackers giving me crap for doing a 'guided' tour rather than a self guided tour. I am who I am, and that is not a camper! Can you believe staying in a hostel is a luxury?! I never thought I would be one to say that!

My tour was 40 strong and I found 5 other girls that were the most fun! We were the life of the three days we spent together. I clicked with two of them in particular- two that will be no doubt friends for life... Gemma and Jenna... can you believe it?! How goofy- we were Gemma, Jenna and Gianna. The six of us kept everyone entertained and made the trip even more exciting... them along with a some others made this totally memorable.

Day one was filled with activity. We first went to Basin Lake. The road on Fraser Island requires 4 wheel drive... and a lot of other power car talk that I don't understand. We were in the bus for 40 with 8 horse power and an 8 cylinder engine and a crap load of gears... not sure if that is all the same thing... but this was one tough machine! We flew down these sand roads which the self guided tours got stuck in- ha- happy digging dirty hippies! Back to the lake- it was emerald green! Truly amazing. The water was clean and calm, but the most spectacular color. I guess it is that color due to the chloroform or something like that. All I know is that is was beautiful and I have never seen anything like it before.

A quick interruption about Fraser Island- it is the biggest SAND island in the world. Meaning, it is all sand and forest actually grows in the sand. Now they explained all of it and how this is possible.. but I will ask you to refer to the Internet to read about it and then maybe report back to me because I haven't a clue!

Next stop was Lake Mackenzie. This is probably my favorite lake I have ever seen. It was crystal blue water with the whitest powdery fine sand I have ever seen. This couple I made friends with (Swedish couple Mateja and Eddy- so awesome! Can't wait to visit them in Europe!), Gemma, Jenna and I walked down a little path to a more secluded aread of the lake. We basically had a whole private area to ourselves. The sand is rich in minerals and so fine that it is known to be a great exfoliate. We covered our bodies in sand and scrubbed away! I tried giving myself a pedicure but unfortunately I needed way more than some sand to smooth these feet! I am dying for a pedi!

We did a jungle walk... but I must say- see one reforest see them all. I think I am done with rain forests... too many creepy crawlies to come and attack! We did see some very impressive greenery though... some cool lizards and gigantic spiders.

That night we went to Dingo Bar- named after the scrawny but vicious animals that roam the island. They attack babies! They just looked like malnourished dogs to me though. The bar was a blast. I met some Scottish dudes and drank with them till 4am. They are a crazy bunch... I wont go through the menu we plowed through or I should say guzzled down that night it would take up too much time- but one thing is for sure it ws a late but fun night! Scottish peeps can drink and drink and drink and apparently I can too! It made for a rough morning, but all the worth it. We will call the night an opportunity for cultural enlightenment- I am just trying to learn all that I can about the world and its people and this meerly introduced me to the Scottish culture- so as you can see it was quite essential to my mission statement of the trip.

The next day was equally impressive, if not more so. We first went to a creek which starts in the forest and leads to the beach front. It is not that long, but a lot of fun. We started at the top and the stream allows you to float down. At the base of the creek was the pool that it formed. There were some lil boys with a boogie board running and sliding on it so we girls thought we would try. As my friends coaxed me on apparently I developed a bit of a viewing crowd, unannounced to me of course. As I ran and slid on the boogie board and toppled over... ohh about a second after hitting it the entire pool area applauded in synchronicity for my complete embarrassment. What's a girl to do but stand with my arms raised high with my Olympic gold pose and ear to ear grin... gotta be able to laugh at yourself! It wasn't so funny when our oldie tour guide came and tackled me in the water... talk about a creepy crawlie!

We also went to Champagne pools. This is where large rocks block the ocean and as the waves come crashing over- it had formed pools of water where were able to sit and chill. They were really pretty and very relaxing. The view was breath taking. I havee to say it is so hard to describe any of this with any due justice on its true beauty. Any picture you get from my description add oodles of more beauty to it and you might get the right mental image of it.

There is a 60 meter high rock formation that stands right on the beach called Indian Head. We climbed it in the dead hot sun with scorching hot sand and made it to the top. It was well worth it! To look at crystal blue ocean water with its natural habitat swimming about was incredible. We saw SHARKS and sea turtles and other unidentifiable swimming creatures! Defo another highlight. The roads to get to all of these places were the beach! The beach is their highway... gold sand with forest on one side and the ocean on the other...

I also took a 30 minute plain ride over the whole island. It was a 14 passenger itty bitty scary thing. But absolutely my favorite thing I have done thus far. I got to sit in the front seat next to the hotty pilate. I basically saw all the lakes and such that we visited but just from the aerial view. It was cool to see the vastness of it all and most impressive was seeing large sand dunes (looked like the Sahara) in the midst of rich green forest- just a crazy sight!

Speaking of the sand dunes- we went there too. We had to walk down them... but we rolled down them! It was great fun, but with dehydration and a hungover belly I am not sure if it was the greatest idea! At the base of it was another emerald green lake. We swam with catfish and turtles...loads of fun!

That night was another late night at the Dingo bar. The girls and I played drinking games... they have the f*ck game in England too! Only the words are slightly different... made me think of you Phi Siggers! That night the sky was clear as could be, not one cloud. It made for the most spectacular sky... we saw every possible star you could ever imagine. The milky way and Venus were visible with bare eyes! As we were appreciating the enormity of it all, we saw a shooting star!

Loads more happened, but I fear I have left this blog asstray and have too much to catch up on... so I will leave Fraser Island at that. By far it is one of my favorite places on earth... but I have so much more to see! Next stop was Airley beach and the Whitsundays... I need more time to write about that... stay tuned!