Ahh yes...so Surfers Paradise. Don't think I will be going there again. I feel very lucky though, as the hostel I was staying in was completely chav central, but the apartment that I was sharing and 7 other really nice people. They didn't fit in with the rest of the hostel, but they were so friendly. I asked one of the girls in my dorm what there was to do, and apparently the only thing was theme parks or go to the beach. Even the beach I have heard isn't that great, just has good waves, and the people are pretty much the same as in the hostel. We spent the day in our communal lounge playing cards and watching daytime tv due to torrential rain. At least I was only there for a day, and at least the people I was sharing with were really nice. We went out to a club later which might as well have been a club in England, you wouldn't have been able to tell.
Had a bit of a panic about the whereabouts of my credit card for the duration of my next coach journey. I found it in my passport 6 hours later.

So now I'm in Hervey Bay. There is not a lot here but the beach is absolutely gorgeous. I've just spent a really nice day sunbathing and swimming in the turquoise waters, surrounded by rainforest. Really, really gorgeous place. Super friendly people.

I thought I should read something set in Australia, whilst lying around in the sun, so I bought a book about a guy in the 1800's who was shipwrecked on the coast of Australia and adopted by an aboriginal clan. Can't remember what it's called or who it's by but so far it's really good.

I'm off to Fraser Island tomorrow - the worlds largest sand island - for a 3 day 4wd camping adventure. Really looking forward to it! Everyone I've met who have already done it says it's amazing!

Before I go, I suppose I should mention Valentines Day. I spoke to a lot of my friends who were complaining about being single and depressed yesterday. Well....I spent it on my own in a caravan with a takeaway and some girly magazines and couldn't have been happier. Even though I'm travelling alone, I'm as far from lonely as I could be. I'm discovering the most amazing independence that comes with backpacking on your own, and it really is the greatest lifestyle ever. It really gives you the opportunity to reflect on how beautiful the world is and how amazing life is. I've always been sociable, but travelling alone takes that to new levels - everyone you meet becomes your new friend. Throughout this trip when I've been sitting alone - be it in my caravan, on the edge of a cliff looking out to the endless sea, on a breathtaking beach, in my teepee, or in the middle of the rainforest surrounded by giant lizards - I've had a real chance to think about the way I want my life to be....and I think....just maybe...I'm turning into a total hippy. We don't really need our big mansions, designer clothes and flashy cars. We don't even need to find a one true love to keep us safe and loved for the rest of our lives. The world is so incredible that we just need to learn to appreciate it. And I know that I'm so lucky to be able to travel the world and see all the things I'm seeing, that rather than getting some flashy job and becoming rich, maybe I should be spending my life helping the worlds less fortunate people....because surely that would be making more of my life.....

I shall be ignoring all comments on the last paragraph and me becoming a hippy after going to Byron Bay.