Magnetic Island

Our trip to Magnetic Island was pretty tiring but once we got there it was what we'd been looking for.  We had to take a bus from Cairns at midnight and arrived in Townsville a 5am.  We took the 7:45am ferry to Magnetic Island, dropped off our stuff at the hostel, and since we couldn't check in yet we went to the picturesque beach down the road to close our eyes.

We didn't do much the first day but the next morning we rented a 4 wheel drive vehicle to drive around the island which is only about 6km from one side of the island to the other.  We needed a 4x4 because most rental vehicles won't let you go off the main road (even if it's paved) if you don't have a 4x4 for insurance reasons. First we stopped at a beach to snorkel where I wore my stinger suit for the first and only time. After snorkeling we went for a hike to check out the forts that were used for war times back in the day.  It was also a hike where you are most likely to see wild Koalas.  We didn't see any but the hike was was really nice and had a beautiful view. When we got back to our car we were so hot and thirsty and there happened to be a woman that set up here smoothie station while we were on the hike... yummmmm.

Next we went to feed wild wallabee's (mini kangaroos) carrots.  They were sooo cute and would eat right out of your hand. By this point the sun was beginning to set so we drove to the west side of the island and watched a beautiful sunset. We're not sure what the internet situation will be over there so if you don't hear from us in the next week, our phones will be back on when we land in LAX on the 24th at 1pm.

We arrived in Sydney late last night and stayed there for our flight this morning... besides sleeping in a baby changing room we're ready for our resort in Tonga! We'll be at the Reef Resort on one of the Vava'u islands (Kapa).