Chantler's first post

I thought it was about time I posted on this blog as a couple of people have mentioned Sadler's apparant obsession with alcohol. Although we have spent much of our time boozing, I thought I'd add my own side of life in Oz.
I'm having a fantastic time but to be honest, Australia isn't that different from back home, especially being surrounded a load of Brits most of the time anyway. The obvious difference is the weather and I'd imaginge that's why most people don't want to leave. Its the middle of winter and yesterday we spent the day by the man-made lagoon in the middle of Cairns. It was 27 degrees, blazing sunshine and most of the population of Cairns were down there sunbathing.
We've been up to Cape Tribulation and Daintree Rainforest today and the thing I've noticed is that the Rainforest here is actually just like any forest you'd get in the UK whch was quite disappointing - I was expecting something a bit more jungley.
I'm sure you've all read Adam's post about our boat trip round the Whitsundays. They really are one of the most beautiful islands and the sand was so white - I think that'll be the location of one of our first holidays when we're settled in Brisbane. (Although Adam's just pointed out that we're actually on holiday now!) And as for my first forey into the world of snorkelling....well it was eventful and although I did actually start to hyperventilate and think I was about to die, we're going out again tomorrow to the Great Barrier Reef to do some more snorkelling . Snorkelling isn't, in fact, as easy as you'd think. The skipper of the boat we were on told us just to spit in our masks, put our flippers on and bite onto the breathing tube, which doesn't actually work as I found out the hard way when I began breathing in water and my mask clouded over. And you definitely can't swim with flippers on - Sadler thought it was hilarious as I was trying to doggy paddle to the shore. When I finally calmed down enough to put my head in the water and breathe I was only confront with two jelly fish and I gave up pretty much after that. But I'm sure tomorrow will be different so I'll try and get some pictures to post of the sealife and Coral.
Anyway I'm off to have my tea and watch the Aussie get beaten yet again in the cricket....