Well from the Whitsunday's Islands (just imagine picture-postcard views and glorious white beaches) it was on to Fraser Island, which is the largest sand island in Australia (and I think the world, although don't quote me on that). Now initially Fraser Island sound like a lot of fun 4x4 driving on sand paths, camping, navigating your own way around and not a traffic officer in sight to slap a parking ticket on your car. And it was a lot of fun, however it being the largest SAND island in Oz, there was one slight draw back...... Sand everywhere, in your shoes, in your bag, in the burgers (you some how managed to slightly cremate them on the bbq) and in the gallons of drink you have hauled across the hour long ferry journey from Hervey Bay on the main land. At first the sand roads, beaches, floors of toilets and mattress underneath your sleeping bag were a challenge and it was quite fun. But after a day and night surrounded by sand, believe me, you are through with the whole sand thing and would quite happily give it up for some concrete and solid flooring. Having said this though and complained whilst I was there, Fraser Island was an excellent adventure considering you are actually left on a beach with a Landrover-type vehicle, told to be back there at 1800 hours the next day. Yes, they did speak like that. It kind of made you feel like you were in army but with no enemy! Yes you had some maps, but come on, how many of us actually paid attention in geography when they were telling us how to read a map of sand dunes? Thought not many! But you jump in get on with it and head off driving a 4x4 you probably couldn't have afforded to insure at home and drive around on tiny sand roads where if you meet an oncoming vehicle, the only rule for giving way is that the largest vehicle wins! It's great and then you find yourself at the wrong side of the island, with 20 minutes left to navigate yourself back to the ferry landing spot before your hopes of a hot shower disappear and you're left to wallow in a sandy bed for another night! But you make in time and live to tell the tale of your expert navigation skills and some rather dodgy 4x4 driving skills, including taking on a rather large sand dune and feeling very scared as you went airborne and then relieved at having a solid floor beneath your feet again! From Fraser and its sand and dingos, to the Gold Coast which is a total contrast. Here, instead of lots of scraggly looking people who have spent a few days living on a sand island, pretty much everyone is a surfer, life guard or wanna be surfers and wanna be life guards! The Gold Coast is a bizarre place where sky scrapers meet the beach and there are enough theme parks to rival Florida. It's a big contrast to the stark nature of Fraser Island, but nevertheless it is another one of the joys of Oz. By the end of this trip, I'm gonna be all beached out and will probably have an allergy to sand - I've seen that much of it!
Claire
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