'The Island'

Well after hearing about 'The Island' for so long and being disappointed that I wasn't able to go, the last minute decision to go was pretty exciting, giving work about a weeks notice that i'd be away for more then 2 weeks, then heading off to Newcastle in trusty Stuck SheiBe/The Beast after work 2pm getting in at about 11pm. 'Some' sleep then up again to leave for Queensland at 4:04am (4 minutes over schedule) with Dad, Jenny and Kez #1, soon to be named K1 being the 1st born and me K2 being the second.

LOTS of driving is an understatement, squished in the back of the car trying to catch up on lost sleep from the week before trying to get organised. BUT finally arrived at Em and Steve's NEW HOUSE that I hadn't seen yet. So glad I was able to see it with them living there, very cute and domesticated, they have definitely made it there own. Also good to see backyard blitz in the flesh, did a good job. After buying veges for the island and getting food organised we retired at Em/Steve's. Only downer was getting the MIGRAINE of the century from about 4pm till the early hours of the morning, not fun with vomiting and stuff you don't need to know about etc etc worst time of my life and not a fun way to start the holiday. BUT was feeling ok the next day as we set off again all packed and ready to hit the sand. BUT first another stop over and nights stay in a caravan park where we met some of the others who would be joining us, BBQ then bed. Another bit of a drive and we were all in Gladstone at the loading dock for the barge that would take us on the 6 hour journey to paradise. Packed all the STUFF, of which was plenty full into our allocated containers and had them forklifted onto the barge (this was the easy part).

Label girl

Loading the boats on the barge

After setting up a pretty comfy spot with mattresses, it was time to relax, for the next 6 hours at least, and kick off a bit of driving dust with the nice sea breeze. Pretty cruisey ride over and very exciting to see the first few glimpses of the island...

Pinos lesson on fish

There she is

THEN the work began, working up a sweat hand lifting everyones stuff off the barge onto the beach in a human chain, the men (or very muscly women) carrying the larger heavy stuff and rolling water barrels off the barge, was a little chaotic but everything got off alright... THEN it was time to carry everything from the beach to the campsite between the trees in what can only be described as a cubby house, covered in bird shit. THEN to set up camp!!!! ONLY about 30-40 hours of travel, unpacking and setting up and we were finally there, munching into some defrosted soup mmm much deserved and appreciated by all. K1 surprised us all with DIBBO'S SURVIVOR TSHRTS and immunity torches that we were all to wear at every happy hour and the first immunity votes began, voting for poeple who had done something outstanding or notable that day and of course K1 won the votes for organising the the shirts and had to wear the immunity idle-stuffed-horn necklace for the remainder of the night. THEN a very good sleep.

Camp spectational

'Don't just stand there...doooo something'

Tues 25th- Up early to finish setting up camp then straight into the wettys for an afternoon of island adventuring and FUN!! Snorkels at the ready we experienced the best of the great barrier reef seeing the most amazing 'brochure' like sights and colourful coral, with the most beautiful day. Japanese noodles for dinner and Cody taking immunity for throwing out precious clean water!!

Pro spearer

Filleting station

Wed 26th- A rainy night, making us realise how much we took the 1st clear day for granted, 

though clearing up late morning, and another beautiful day. Went to see an old gravesite of a young girl who dies in 1800s from mysterious convulsions, then walked around the island seeing turtle holes and realising how remote we were, an amazing paradise. Went for an arvo snorkel and swim out to the boats and back, escaping the jaws of the SHARKS, that other people on the island kept telling us about. Happy hour again in our shirts, drinking the most revolting strawberry daiquiris but not willing to stop as it was expensive alcohol. Absolutely magical, clear air, watching the sunset while the noddy birds returned from a day out at see, with wonderful people. jenny win immunity for cooking corn!

Thurs 27th- Badminton/volleyball court goes up and is a big hit with the 2 camps, with much competition. All went for a snorkel first walking the half hour through the reef ripping my shoes to shreds but was a fun time together with Jenny on the shore gathering all the fish as the guys caught them, I EVEN GOT myself a FISH!! They look bigger under the water, but scored me immunity that night at happy hour. CRUMBED fish for dinner!!

matching wettys

Fri 28th- Up at sunrise to take a few photos. Some more volley ball , getting quite serious now, while the men went out spearing for that night dinner/feast. Went to look for K1 who was up at the crack of dawn to go fishing and hadn't returned so we went help carry ALL the fish back for her, but there was none, none the less K1 still had the biggest smile on her face and was enjoying herself. Em win immunity for an amazing volleyball serve that rebounds off the trees and back in play scoring a point!! And you guessed it, fresh FISH for dinner YUM!!

Massage in the wilderness

Pro volleyball comp

Relaxing after a hard days relaxing

Fishin for sharks

Brekky bliss

Pro fishermen

Sat 29th- A bit of a sleep in, everyone getting out there gourmet breakfast (bacon eggs and pancakes). Some relaxing and reading on the beach, then relaxing and reading in the hammock, then back on the beach... THE LIFE. We all must have been exhausted from the first few days and slept for a few hours after lunch. The woke for some more camp site competitive volleyball. K1 catches a shark at happy hour and wins immunity! Party night follows happy hour at Mr Baz's tent singing into the night with some rum!!

Extreme fishing 

Sun 30th- This time I got up and went for a spear/snorkel with the guys, my first ride in the boat. I bit scary being out in the middle of the ocean looking out under the water into just a blue obis, however the coral was outstanding!! I didn't catch anything and Cody broke yet ANOTHER spear gun so just went for a casual snorkel as sitting in the boat made me super nauseous (maybe something to do with the drinks the night before but wasn't going to admit it). Back to shore to join the others at some reading and badminton. Monopoly and bocci on the beach followed, as the whether wasn't too great. After bush showers, we were back into our Survivor shirts ready for happy hour, starting to get into the swing of things now each having our routines. Dad winning immunity for being unsociable with a sneaky hangover (and hiding in the tent sleeping all day) BUT mostly for catching us a sensational coral trout for dinner YUM!

Hiking through the coral to the the edge of the reef

Beach yoga at sunset

Mon 1st- Tag team spearing this morning with everyone having a go at spotting in the boat as the men caught yet again more delicious fish. Whether being a little cloudy and not the best for snorkelling more games were had, I even fit in a bit of study and almost finished an assignment, while the guys set out to out do each other making mouse traps. The official naming and signage of the camp SPECTATIONAL. After some salmon wraps for lunch, bri and dip for happy hour, coral trout entree and crumbed parrot fish for dinner we were all very well fed, Alex winning immunity for her fashionable tan lines, laying low unsociably all day and an impressive swim back to shore in wetsuit and snorkel. 

Dinner!!

The bar rations

Beach babe

Tues 2nd- Another games, reading, competitive volleyball day as was very windy and even forced us to have happy hour under the tent with no sunset HOWEVER didn't stop SOME of us from having a little sneaky party night... take a guess who! Steve wins immunity for always coming second and for stealing mice from Pino in an attempt to make his trap look more successful...

Mouse trap building

sensational

 Weds 3rd- I finished Cody' book today reading way ahead of him. As the food was running a little scarce I made some bread for lunch and dinner was an interesting assortment of canned veges and bits and pieces. Realising we had PLENTY of fresh water we all splurged a little on showers and had immunity around K1's 'campfire', with me winning immunity for the bread and for freaking out being pooped on by the birds (nearly made it through the holiday without it, guess I was too cocky). Last sunset and happy hour in the beach.

Immunity ceremony 

Sunrise 

Leish, Cody and Alex leeping on the beach

Waiting for the barge all packed up

THEN THE JOURNEY HOME!! Up early we all got stuck in and got the camp packed up pretty well and waited for the barge, after waving goodbye to the island it was a rocky ride back to the mainland with a few of us being sick, catching up on the real world after coming into reception, then the unpacking and repacking. THEN just a LONG drive back to our relative posts, mine being just a tad further with a 30 hour drive back to Albury for my massage course...

All in all it was a spectational holiday with some great people, scenery and memories, something I will always remember and look forward to the next one, this time in an even bigger longer way!!!!