By the morning the power was still not back which meant I did not have a fully charged phone, and also that I could not access any WiFi which left me in a position where I couldn't check Facebook, the football and everything else going on in the world. Luckily by about 6 the power did come back which was amazing, although I probably could have done without it after seeing the Southampton score! One thing I haven't mentioned yet is the occasional cramps I keep getting in my legs. As I woke up this morning it was really painful when I moved them which is another thing I can't explain. My body is deteriorating by the day with my unhealing open blister on one toe, big chunk of skin missing on another toe, and lots of bruises over my feet. Hopefully I will make it to the end of the trip in one piece!
We were yesterday instructed to meet at 8 in the hostel common room ready for our trip to Fraser Island. I packed light with just a couple of sets of clothes, sleeping bag, sandals, wash kit, suncream and water, and also my power socket in hope of power over there! We got shown all the food and other essentials being taken, although they made it clear it was not an all you and eat tour! About an hour later we had packed everything into this trailer on the back on the lead vehicle which included all the food and alcohol, all stored with plenty of ice. I bought some Tooheys for the trip with this Swedish guy! The trip basically works with a lead vehicle driven by our guide, Geoff, and then three other tag along vehicles. I was in the second car with 5 Germans and 2 Swedish, although they all spoke English in general as that was the only common language. There are 8 people to each vehicle making 32 people on the trip in all.
After driving down the road out of Rainbow Beach we got to a point where our guide gave us a briefing about safety on the island, basically saying the video we yesterday watched was completely useless. He basically just told us about car safety and dingo safety, telling us about the time some Norwegian got drunk and wandered off, fell asleep then nearly got eaten by Dingoes! We continued along the sand now in 4wd to Inskip Point to catch a barge across to the island. About 10 minutes after boarding the barge we arrived onto the biggest sand island in the world ready for 3 days of 4wd fun touring the island. We landed on the southern tip of the island, and as you are not allowed to drive on the western side we headed east along the 75 mile beach. It is actually a really big island!
Driving along hard sands due to the weather which was just heavy showers and then boiling sun, we followed the tracks in front of us passing many vehicles and sand dunes en route. We continued along the beach for a while, where the sea looked brown for some reason, and also going over the occasional bit of running water to the Eulong Beach Resort. This was one of the few areas of the island which had a shop, restaurant and a small residential area. It was here at 11 we had lunch, due to the fact many of us did not have breakfast. Lunch was basically just make your own sandwiches which included meats, cheese and salad. What we didn't realise however was that it had to last us for three days! This area was also classed as a dingo safe area, made secure by the high fences and electrified cattle grid we crossed when entering.
After lunch we continued north up the beach, this time with this dodgy German driver who kept driving through the waves and splashing us, as well as going over bumps at speed which kept making us bang our heads on the roof! A short while later we arrived at our next stop, Lake Wabby, although it was about a 45 minute walk to the lake from where we stopped on the beach. Walking through this heavily wooded area, not classed as rainforest however, we weaved round the track to this massive sand dune. The area was in fact classed as a desert, and it was amazing seeing the massive sands sweep right into the distance and also down to the ocean. After walking through the desert this big lake came into sight surrounded by trees on three sides with the desert on one side. We just ran down the big sand dune and dived straight into the lake, which was green due to the Eucalyptus oils and other natural things. Apparently swimming in here was really good for your skin. Due to Fraser Island being a sand island however, apparently this lake will disappear in about 80 years as the sand gobbles up the lake at a rate of about 3m a year!
After heading back through the desert and woods, taking in the amazing views in the process and finally getting some really good photos, we jumped back into the cars to head to our next stop, the Maheno Shipwreck. Our new driver got us stuck in the sand however, but we were soon free using our tour guides reverse back and the drive forward technique. I was in control of the cars radio as I had the best English! En route the shipwreck we had to take a couple of inland tracks due to the high tide and rocks, which was a very bumpy ride. A short while later we arrived at the shipwreck. Apparently it used to be a cruise ship in the early 1900s, but went into decline by the 1930s so was purchased by the Japanese. They decided to sell the propellers to pay off a debt before deciding to tow it back to Japan. There was a storm however when it passed Fraser Island and towing chain broke, washing it up to Fraser Island and it has been there ever since! It was probably a good job though as Japan was planning to use the metal for weapons in the war.
After getting a few photos, ignoring the stay within 3m away from the boat law, we continued north of the coast to our camp called K'gari. We passed a wild dingo en route which came up to sniff the car. They look just like cute dogs! Our camp was run a local aboriginal tripe, which is in decline however as in the 1800s most of the women and children were forced to jump of the cliff by the Europeans. It was getting late when we arrived so we cracked straight on with dinner which was an Asian Stir Fry. In English this was rice with chicken and vegetables. It took a while to cook however as the gas ran out to start with, and then the water took ages to boil for the rice. By about 7 it was finally ready and we got a sizable portion, although I thought back to Thailand where I had this on an all you can eat basis! I was well and truly on the Tooheys by now, playing silly games round the camp fire with the few English people in the group, before managing to find a working power source to charge my phone up. By the time it was time for bed I opted to sleep in the car over the tent. It was a choice between soft seat or the ground and the soft seats seemed like a good idea at the time!
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