Whitsundays who? Moreton has a nice little hold on me

DAY 24

'SPECIAL' TIMES I'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER - My 5.45am wake up call was NOT downright joyful. At least, the sun made a most appreciated comeback after the gloomy days; hip hip hip hooray for it coming out to play. Our MICAT was teeming with Aussie teen bogans on the crossing who were making ME cross; running riot and treading on my feet, standing right in front of me and my splendid view although I was seated at the front on the boat's top deck.  Not only that, but the ferry ran late because of this school outing which threw us off our schedule and we didn't arrive until after 10am. A double choc chip muffin from the cafe was necessary to numb the pain. 

Moreton Island is a mere 25km offshore from the city of Brisbane so it is an easy day trip. Being the world's third largest sand island (after Fraser and North Stradbroke) there is a significant amount of fun to be had here. Sand tobogganing down some of the steepest sandhills in the world is one of the adrenaline-rush activities that draw in tourists. Darn! Heck! It was too bad that we couldn't sand toboggan down the mammoth dunes on our visit because the ground was too wet from the stupido storms of the weekend. It was one of the adventure experiences I was most excited for throughout my entire travels. WHAT IS THIS LIFE??? :'( 

Like an eleven year old child, I had a wee pout on the beach while the rest of our party proceeded to snorkel among Tangalooma Wrecks in aquamarine sea. 15 vessels were deliberately sunk under the sea to form a break wall for small boats. On a gorgeous day such as it was, it would've been pure paradisaical to take the plunge for a swim and snorkel but I was too self-conscious for the fishies to see my rump roast. It was rapturous to just paddle in the pristine waters but there was no joy to be had in an attempt to sand board down a sandy embankment on my butt without a board! 

THE WORD 'BEAUTIFUL' SEEMS TOO WIDELY INADEQUATE A WORD: The second you step foot onto an endless expanse of white sand; you are struck with a serious case of affection for the isle of allure. Moreton offers a tropical paradise backdrop like something out of the desert island movies. Paying this peninsula the ultimate compliment still wouldn't be enough as it lays down some kind of mandate for how visually eye-catching an archipelago should be. How could anybody not be happy here all the time? 

Four wheeling over rugged terrain was a bumpy ride! Dolphin detecting brought joy on the journey; the marine mammals were way out at sea but countless short sightings were a delight. It is the sharks that are rulers of the ocean and despite us not seeing any, they are often seen thrashing around; sometimes as closes as two feet offshore. The crew saw a basking shark while snorkeling in one of the wrecks but nobody had to push its nose into its brain because he let them be. 

My heart wrenched to see the HORRIBLE, decaying remains of a humpback/sperm whale's jaw; who washed up on the beach and died as it couldn't swim backwards back out to the sea. The smell permeating our nostrils was rancid that I refrained from inhaling very much. It was not very cool of us to pose for pictures beside it; I felt heartless but from a scientific point of view it was of interest.  

I'M LOVING THE FORE LAND WITH MY EYES - Onward to Cape Moreton Lighthouse; the first built in Queensland for our picnic lunch. Before feasting, nature called and unless I wanted to spend my penny in the sea there was only a drop dunny!! *Gasp* it was yucky and cicada bugs frightened me with the alarming, piercing sound of distress that they give off. We tucked into our rolls and cookies while appreciating the trove of treasures of seascapes surrounding us.  

Blue Lagoon (not the Icelandic famed one) needs to brag on itself with its tranquil, crystal freakin' clear waters. This naturally formed fresh water lake is 'infused with tea tree oils' so it is clearly an ideal setting for holiday relaxation. There could be no more gorgeous a spot; just pick the appropriate adjective of awe and insert it <HERE> Our 'team' leader Ed, was a bit of a ledge and more so for blasting out my man Buble's cover of 'Feelin' good' on his boom box. I longed to have it entirely to myself and  splash about free as a river (haha Dr K Neighbours song reference) as the only other 6 there took a dip and me a reeeeefreshing wade. 

#TOURGUIDEFAIL - Ed scooping up a yabbie which bit him with its claw-like pinchers; hotheaded blighter. 

Sadly, we only had a mere 4 and a half hours there as we had to drop the girls off at the fancy schancy resort (where Ed has met Federer and hung out on the beach with Sigma) before catching our ferry back to Bris :( You will leave wanting MORE of Moreton for it has healing powers of light and happiness. 

In the evening, I was so happy to be reunited with the dazzling and TOO pretty Katie :) It didn't matter that it was a short but sweet meet up as it was AMAZING to see her after a few years. We went for a Chinese meal along South Bank; my grilled chicken, garlic and chilli rice was spiiiicy but darn lip-smacking. Our catch up on lives and goss was lovely but over all too quickly; then we walked along the river for a few pics before another farewell. Dessert? Don't mind if I doodle! I went for a Nitrogenie  from the genies of liquid nitrogen and was blown away. The cup of pavlova pash is a magical time for your mouth with its smashed meringue and passion fruit coulis. *THE* dream of ice cream defied all my expectations deliciously.  

Wandered back to my backpackers under twinkly starlight, as I made wishes upon them; realising that a lot had already been granted in Oz. It's crazy how 3 weeks has felt like 3 months anywhere else on earth but that's what happens when you zoom around BING BOOM BAM. I'm loving nearly every second of Rianney the Montigue's excellent adventures. 

Ciao little darlings xxx