Airlie Beach is a bit of a con really in that it hasn't got one. A beach that is. Only imported sand from some 60 kms up the road - Bowen to be precise. This place is backpackers heaven/hell depending on your viewpoint really...loads of fast internet cafes (heaven), but loads of dodgy travel agents, sailing companies, bars, and people...Unsurprisingly we've brought our bus to Hervey Bay forward to Tuesday - meaning we've only got tonight in this god-foresaken place, as tomorrow we board Iluka for our Whitsunday's sailing experience. It nearly didn't happen as when we went to see ProSail yesterday they only had 3 (including us) booked onto the trip, needing at least 2 more to definitely venture out. We were told we'd be downgraded to a (much) worse boat and get a little bit of cash back for our trouble - we weren't happy last night to say the least. That said we're now a group of seven, and because we paid nearly full price and they're now discounting we should be upgraded to a cabin from a dorm...every cloud and all that...

As I write this my bro is boarding his flight to the UK (via Singapore) and by the time I next check email he'll be home the poor sod. It's weird to think but it's still about another week until we're halfway through our trip - scary stuff!

So here's to 3 days sailing, sunning, and snorkelling (what great aliteration, Mr. Parsons (my English teacher) would be soooo proud) - catch you all in a few days...