Gosh a lot has been happening since I wrote last! I arrived Wednesday in Airlie Beach, checked into my 17 bed hostel room and then off to the travel agent to figure out my plans. Waiting till the last minute did pay off because I was able to get the standby rates. I 
booked a 2 day/2 night sail around the Whitsunday islands thatleft Thursday afternoon. About 2 we all met at a cafe and boarded the boat. It could not have been better! The boat normally holds 28 but it was only about half full because this season has been really slow. It was perfect though because we were all able to spread out. Out of the 13 people on board there was only one group of three girls which came together everyone else was traveling alone. We had good representation from all over the world. Out of 13 there was people from Brazil, Pacedonia, Holland, Ireland, Germany, France, America, Spain and Australia. It was nice to have someone cook for us too! The food was wonderful and we had fresh
fruit and snacks every mid morning, afternoon, and evening! I think I probably gained 10 pounds! We got to help in sailing by raising the sails using the grinders which is quite a workout and ended up snorkeling on 3 different islands in the Whitsundays. Once we got to the lookout on Whitehaven beach it started raining though! Thank goodness that only lasted about 5 
minutes and it turned out to be a beautiful day on the beach! We played a soccer game for an hour or so... talk about hard to run on sand! Everything has worked out wonderfully. Got to be good friends with one of the girls on the boat from Ireland who has lived in Sydney for the last 5 months and she will be back there for 3 weeks. She is going to help me get settled, introduce me to all of her friends, help me find a place to live so that was comforting! Saturday night went to dinner and out with all of the people still in town from the boat and Sunday caught the Greyhound to a small town called Mackay. Once I arrived at Mackay I went to check in at the one hostel. WELL, the lady says she wr
ote to tell me that my reservation was denied because they were full; however, she did not! Not exactly the place that I pictured springing for my first private room. The lady at Geckos said the motel is "just up the way" a common Aussie term. I should have known when I set off that DOES NOT mean it is close at all. I walked about 15 blocks with my heavy bag because it is about as easy to hail a taxi in Columbus as it is in Mackay. I eventually made it and I ended up staying in a lovely little retirement community of Sun Palm Plaza :/. I decided to make the most of it and spent the night in my large bed relaxing and watching tv excited about a good night's sleep. Long about 5 am the loudest storm known to man comes through. In 3 hours they received 5 inches of rain and we lost power. I ended up taking a taxi to the airport the next day not quite as well rested as I would have hoped. Once I arrived at the check in counter
the lady tells me how Jet star is a point to point service so once I arrive in Brisbane for my lay over I am going to need to go to baggage claim, get my bag, and go back through the check in process. The only upside to this is it gave me something to do in my 5 hour lay over due to the next flight being pushed back due to inclement weather. The only good news was that we were one of the few flights that didn't get cancelled. Everything headed north was cancelled for the night. With all of that being said though, Airlie Beach was amazing and worth the hassel of getting there and getting out. Long about 10 last night I arrived and checked into my hostel in Sydney. The people in my room are very nice which is always a 
relief. This morning I awoke early excited to be back in the city. I went up to the office immediately to retrive my battery charger for my computer which has prevented me from
having my laptop for the last 3 or so weeks. I got on the elevator and clicked floor 17... from my memory of the last time I was there. I should have known that my memory isn't good! I got off on the wrong floor. Knowing I was only 1 floor off I decided not to be lazy and take the stairs. I go down a flight of stairs and went to open the door.... the doors lock from the inside. Then, using my common sense decided surely the bottom floor has access to the street so I proceed down 17 fights of stairs to arrive at the last... locked door... with an alarm and a fine for opening it. I then began calling everyone who I know their number off the top of my head or was in my Aussie phone book. Thanks a lot you guys for NOT answering. I finally reached Brian awaking him from a nap. Bet he didn't expect to hear from me in Australia! Nonetheless he looked up the office number and I asked the girl from
California who works the front desk to come let me in! Mind you, this is after I had to go BACK up 18 flights of stairs. What a great way to start the day! Once in the office though I was excited to find out while we were away a lot of really nice people are in town and living in Sydney for a while. Actually a good bit are American or Canadian. The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. I looked at some places to live. First one... well to say the least not liveable. Second was very nice! However, I always said I would like to go to China... I think if I lived there a trip to China would not be in order because the whole entire community is Chinese. I am going tomorrow out to Bondi Beach to look at a house with two girls-- one from America, one from Canada. Keep your fingers crossed! I am about ready to ditch the backpack and hostel living! Well that is all for now!
booked a 2 day/2 night sail around the Whitsunday islands thatleft Thursday afternoon. About 2 we all met at a cafe and boarded the boat. It could not have been better! The boat normally holds 28 but it was only about half full because this season has been really slow. It was perfect though because we were all able to spread out. Out of the 13 people on board there was only one group of three girls which came together everyone else was traveling alone. We had good representation from all over the world. Out of 13 there was people from Brazil, Pacedonia, Holland, Ireland, Germany, France, America, Spain and Australia. It was nice to have someone cook for us too! The food was wonderful and we had fresh
fruit and snacks every mid morning, afternoon, and evening! I think I probably gained 10 pounds! We got to help in sailing by raising the sails using the grinders which is quite a workout and ended up snorkeling on 3 different islands in the Whitsundays. Once we got to the lookout on Whitehaven beach it started raining though! Thank goodness that only lasted about 5 
minutes and it turned out to be a beautiful day on the beach! We played a soccer game for an hour or so... talk about hard to run on sand! Everything has worked out wonderfully. Got to be good friends with one of the girls on the boat from Ireland who has lived in Sydney for the last 5 months and she will be back there for 3 weeks. She is going to help me get settled, introduce me to all of her friends, help me find a place to live so that was comforting! Saturday night went to dinner and out with all of the people still in town from the boat and Sunday caught the Greyhound to a small town called Mackay. Once I arrived at Mackay I went to check in at the one hostel. WELL, the lady says she wr
ote to tell me that my reservation was denied because they were full; however, she did not! Not exactly the place that I pictured springing for my first private room. The lady at Geckos said the motel is "just up the way" a common Aussie term. I should have known when I set off that DOES NOT mean it is close at all. I walked about 15 blocks with my heavy bag because it is about as easy to hail a taxi in Columbus as it is in Mackay. I eventually made it and I ended up staying in a lovely little retirement community of Sun Palm Plaza :/. I decided to make the most of it and spent the night in my large bed relaxing and watching tv excited about a good night's sleep. Long about 5 am the loudest storm known to man comes through. In 3 hours they received 5 inches of rain and we lost power. I ended up taking a taxi to the airport the next day not quite as well rested as I would have hoped. Once I arrived at the check in counter
the lady tells me how Jet star is a point to point service so once I arrive in Brisbane for my lay over I am going to need to go to baggage claim, get my bag, and go back through the check in process. The only upside to this is it gave me something to do in my 5 hour lay over due to the next flight being pushed back due to inclement weather. The only good news was that we were one of the few flights that didn't get cancelled. Everything headed north was cancelled for the night. With all of that being said though, Airlie Beach was amazing and worth the hassel of getting there and getting out. Long about 10 last night I arrived and checked into my hostel in Sydney. The people in my room are very nice which is always a 
relief. This morning I awoke early excited to be back in the city. I went up to the office immediately to retrive my battery charger for my computer which has prevented me from
having my laptop for the last 3 or so weeks. I got on the elevator and clicked floor 17... from my memory of the last time I was there. I should have known that my memory isn't good! I got off on the wrong floor. Knowing I was only 1 floor off I decided not to be lazy and take the stairs. I go down a flight of stairs and went to open the door.... the doors lock from the inside. Then, using my common sense decided surely the bottom floor has access to the street so I proceed down 17 fights of stairs to arrive at the last... locked door... with an alarm and a fine for opening it. I then began calling everyone who I know their number off the top of my head or was in my Aussie phone book. Thanks a lot you guys for NOT answering. I finally reached Brian awaking him from a nap. Bet he didn't expect to hear from me in Australia! Nonetheless he looked up the office number and I asked the girl from
California who works the front desk to come let me in! Mind you, this is after I had to go BACK up 18 flights of stairs. What a great way to start the day! Once in the office though I was excited to find out while we were away a lot of really nice people are in town and living in Sydney for a while. Actually a good bit are American or Canadian. The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. I looked at some places to live. First one... well to say the least not liveable. Second was very nice! However, I always said I would like to go to China... I think if I lived there a trip to China would not be in order because the whole entire community is Chinese. I am going tomorrow out to Bondi Beach to look at a house with two girls-- one from America, one from Canada. Keep your fingers crossed! I am about ready to ditch the backpack and hostel living! Well that is all for now! 
Hello, Jill! I know you are glad you missed the game last week. NOT GOOD!!!!We still had fun, of course. Sounds as though your adventure is continuing. The sail sounded fabulous. We are jealous of all the experiences you girls are having, and hope for more memorable times.
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