I have been home for 10 days now. I have also been inside for 10 days. I initially thought it was going to be the end of the world and don’t get me wrong, some days I have really struggled to stay positive, but it’s better than being in hospital, or worse. We are not stuck at home. We are safe at home.

Unfortunately, I have other underlying health problems and am immunocompromised and asthmatic (double whammy- just my luck!). This means that, following the advice in a letter from the NHS, I will be inside for the next 12 weeks. I need to be ‘shielded’ which means that I shouldn’t have face to face contact with anyone for the next 3 months. I should eat my meals alone in my room and I need to limit the rooms in the house I use. My boyfriend, who normally lives 9,000 miles away, is only 10 minutes down the road and the fact I don’t know when I will be able to see him breaks my heart. Still think your ‘self isolation’ is bad? – My whole family are having to also self isolate to try and keep me safe. Nobody can go out to the supermarket and my parents are having to work from home. But it’s not the worst thing that could happen. You can binge Netflix, eat loads of snacks, have lie-ins and pyjama days. You can work-out at home, go for a walk, learn a new skill. Spend time with your close family, get drunk and plan for the future. I have been trying my hardest to make the best out of a bad situation and would love to hear the things that you are doing to pass the time.

Even more unfortunate is the fact that today I was admitted to hospital. Because of my UC and not Coronavirus. I needed emergency treatment or I would risk losing my bowel. I have never been so scared for my life/ in my life. What scares me further was the fact I am now not shielded. I have mixed with people in A&E and on the wards. They are trying to get me a private room but obviously with the current influx of patients it’s proving difficult. I am terrified and wish I was still at home but at the moment I have to choose between two evils. You may think it’s not fair having to isolate yourself at home but I urge you to please please listen to the advice and warnings. You have the choice and that’s more freedom than others have so use that to stay safe and keep others safe too.

Travelling is life changing. It is hard. It is beautiful. Some days your heart will be full. Others your heart will break. You will never fully understand the extent to which you change unless you experience it first hand. Aside from all the cliches about finding yourself, you genuinely will learn things that you did not know before. You will learn how strong you really are. You will be forced to make decisions and be determined. You will learn that you are your own worst enemy but also the only company you need at times. You will learn the importance of friendship, family and love and the time apart will ensure that you never again take for granted the moments together. You will meet people who open up your mind to the world. They will make you realise things about yourself you didn’t want to admit. They will become your closest friends and you will share your experiences with them; share your highs and lows with them. Share stories, beds and pizzas with them.

Travel is the only thing you can spend money on which makes you richer. Despite the climax of my adventure I leave with no regrets. I have become braver and more self assured as a person. I thank my mum for inspiring me to take a leap and follow the footsteps she trod thirty years ago. I hope for my children to one day be encouraged to do the same. Life is too short to not experience the world and the world is too big to not explore.

I’ve slept under stars, swam with sharks and fell 15,000ft from the sky. I’ve cuddled a koala, curled up with kangaroos and stroked a snake. I’ve danced in waterfalls, caught knarly waves and climbed mountains. I’ve experienced so much and will forever look back in awe. I have admiration for the beautiful country I was so lucky to explore but also for the person I was coming to Australia and, much more so, the person I am leaving. I’m proud I stuck it out and have memories, friends and experiences that will stay with me for a lifetime. I urge anyone to be brave, take risks and have big adventures. Australia, this is not a goodbye. I will be back.

Annabel x

Not a very imaginative title but I am feeling a lil bit tired and uninspired today. Actually losing track of the days in here. It’s like I’m on the road all over again. Docs came back this morning and said that after reviewing all my tests and everything else they can see the inflammation is more severe than when I was first diagnosed. Back home it was diagnosed as left sided colitis but it is actually pancolitis which means it’s the whole extent of my colon and bowels which is more dangerous and can cause more problems. They are going to monitor me and if I am starting to feel better by this evening (a miracle is needed) they will look at getting me out in the next week. If not then they need to do more tests and start the next stage of treatment for a few weeks before they can then send me home.

Sounds simple enough right? Well with the whole Coronavirus situation, the getting home part is looking to be more tricky than the getting out of hospital part. I’ve had a social worker come and see me who is in touch with the consulate at the embassy in Brisbane trying to sort out my visa and flights home and I (my Mum) have tried to contact insurance to change my flights if needed. (Praying for an upgrade to business class)! My life feels like a soap opera at the moment but I don’t see anyone coming to cast me for Neighbours?!

After escaping my room today – don’t panic, it was authorised – I sat outside to get some fresh air and… it began raining. I mean I guess it makes being stuck inside a little bit easier but the one time I get outside I was hoping for a little top up on the tan. Oh well, I’ll have to just keep moisturising with the hospital-grade cream to keep the tan fresh. It’s also now 3pm and I’m nil-by-mouth until tomorrow lunchtime as they want to do more tests. This is the worst part as the hospital food is the only thing still exciting me (sad, I know) but I guess I’ll lose a few extra pounds that I accumulated whilst travelling. Going to do some online retail therapy to cheer me up and have something to look forward to for when I finally get home- a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!

P.S. I also finished ‘The Stranger’ on Netflix so need a need binge worthy series please!

Annabel x

Sunday. A slower start today. After a 5:30am wake up I managed to sleep again until 7:30. I’m still undecided as to whether I slept better in a 12 man dorm or in here on my own… No doctors doing the rounds today so will have to wait until tomorrow for more news.

Monday. Fresh week and really hoping to be out by Friday. The doctors have said that I’m still too poorly to fly but when I get out that late what I will be doing. No more adventures, no more stops, just a one way ticket home. Although I’m obviously devastated, I know that it’s the best thing and health always comes first. Especially with the ongoing and worrying situation with Coronavirus, it will be best for me at the end of the day. I have just had another x-ray and still waiting for results to come back. I’m still under precautions in quarantine too (no idea why) but having my daily morning gossip with the cleaner, I found out that the president/ prime minister or whoever of Papea New Guinea is next door to me! Obviously on the high profile ward!

As I said, I had an x-ray today and this hunky, wolverine-looking man had the pleasure of pushing my wheelchair. I am quite capable of walking and I hate being pushed around but this time I wasn’t complaining. I mean, nothing like a harmless flirt with an attractive Ozzie doc to pass the time (no need to panic Charlie). Anyone would be lying if they said that they’ve never had a dream about a man in a doctor’s uniform with a stethoscope around his neck. So ladies, if you’re single and looking for someone to set your heart rate through the roof (probably not a good thing for me whilst being hooked up to monitors) then get yourself admitted to Cairns Hospital! – Auntie Kate this tip is for you! Otherwise the other option is that you’re going to be faced with mullets and moustaches. If you think I’m joking then think again. Seriously! Having a mullet is apparently ‘the fashion’ over here and more often than not it is paired with a 70s porn star tache. I wish I was kidding. Not everyone looks like the Hemsworth brothers unfortunately.

Other than that it’s been pretty uneventful. I’ve finished two books and a TV series and now getting ready to watch a movie. Oh and my bags have been dropped off by the hostel so I’ve finally washed my hair and changed my clothes- I feel like a new woman!

Annabel x

As my visit to Cairns has been so rudely interrupted by my uncooperative immune system, I thought I’d split this location up into two parts. I had a list of about thirty things to see and do in Cairns and actually managed a fair few so here we go…

There’s so much free stuff to do here and the climate is a big bonus. Although it’s the Australian tropics (which means that yes, it rains, quite a lot), it is more-often-than-not sunny and very very warm! Because you cannot swim in the sea here (jellyfish) or even really wander on the beaches (crocodiles) there is a lovely, large lagoon right on the water’s edge. It’s similar to Airlie Beach but a lot bigger and there’s real sand here so you feel like you’re getting the whole ‘beachy’ experience. If, you’re like me, and you’re kinda sick of sand getting e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e then there’s also grass areas to lounge around on and take a picnic. If you’re into your fitness (I have maybe let mine slip whilst being over here in the ‘holiday’ mentality) then there are free classes held in or next to the lagoon: aqua Zumba, yoga, volleyball… the list goes on! Next to the lagoon is a market, which hosts daily night markets from 5pm-11pm and literally sells anything you could ever imagine you’d need. A pair of real kangaroo testicles that double up as a key ring- no problem. A bottle opener that plays Kylie Minogue – you bet. If you’re looking for more a ‘high-end’ shopping experience then there is a large shopping centre in town and also an outlet shopping centre about a 10 minute drive away so when it does rain you can still fill your time wisely.

When I think of Australia, one of the first things that pops into my head is the Great Barrier Reef. With all the talk about it’s uncertain future I wanted to see it before it is eventually destroyed by global warming. I mean, the effects of coral bleaching was obvious, but I still was in awe of the remaining beauty and marine life I got to experience. We visited two spots to snorkel and dive, spending over an hour in the water at each location. No pictures could really do it justice, it was just breathtaking. And… I saw a shark. A wild shark… it swam about 10 metres below me and the scariest part was… I wasn’t scared in the slightest. It was just surreal. This is a moment I will never forget.

After exploring the depths of the ocean, my next stop was to see Queensland from a completely different angle- the sky. Kuranda is a mountain village, tucked away in the world’s oldest rainforest. We took a scenic train ride up the mountain before arriving in the picturesque village. Here we visited Australia’s largest butterfly sanctuary and had tea and cakes in a cafe overlooking the rainforest. If I thought that the views on the way up were breathtaking, then the views coming back down on the Skyrail were something else… Above the canopy, we descended down over Barron Gorge and numerous waterfalls. Although it started to rain, this only added to the atmosphere (after all, we were in a rainforest)!

I still want to visit the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation and the Atherton Tablelands whilst staying in Cairns. Fingers crossed I can get myself well enough to continue my adventure because I’m not ready to pack my bags just yet!

Good things to come…

Annabel x

8am.

Not the best start ever. After finally getting to sleep at 3am I was woken up to have my obs done at 5:30am. Even though I have my own room I’ve been really struggling to sleep and people who know me will know how grumpy I get when I do not get enough sleep (sorry Charlie). Even so, I tried to stay positive, freshening up with a shower before FaceTiming my boyfriend, friends and family. The time difference means that it’s later in the UK and US so the earlier I get up the more I get to talk to them which was the only plus side of the early wake up call. I am so lucky to have all the support I do and got a little boost in the form of a video Charlie made after roping in my friends to record little messages for me. It was the first time I’ve cried happy tears since being here so thank you for that. Thank you also to everyone who sent messages of support, Netflix and book recommendations. I feel overwhelmed and less lonely today which was needed. Because I was rushed into hospital, I was totally unprepared, meaning that I did not bring any shampoo or conditioner with me (gross, I know). Can I wash my hair with body soap or do hospitals have shampoo?! Does anyone work in hospitals and know any tricks of the trade – who do I have to befriend (apart from the tea and coffee lady). Help! At the moment I’m trying to detangle a mane of frizz!

9am.

Breakfast is my absolute fave meal of the day and normally I struggle to decide between toast or cereal but when you’re in hospital there’s no need to decide – just have both! I had cornflakes with full fat cream, jam on toast, a yoghurt, apple juice and of course… a cup of tea! (I’m seriously sick of the sight, smell and taste of it now). It’s the most I’ve eaten since being in hospital (and probably Australia) but I know it’s good because they are worried about me losing weight. When I was last admitted to hospital I dropped over a stone in two weeks and weighed less that 49kg (7.7stone) which was not healthy. I can confirm that my appetite is back with full force today though!

9:30am.

A visit from a doctor knocked my spirits slightly. After being admitted I was told they would probably keep me in for three days minimum. Now it’s looking as if it’s going to be another three days minimum from now. They tried to switch my intravenous steroids to oral ones yesterday but this was too soon and set me back to where I was before I came in. So I need to reintroduce the steroids through my cannula to then hopefully kickstart my admission. Let’s do this!

10am.

So many visitors this morning, aren’t I lucky! This time it was for a blood test (as though they needed anymore after 10 vials yesterday!?). It wasn’t that easy though… After poking and prodding me with various needles in multiple veins the nurse had to go and ask for assistance. I was overly dehydrated and lost a lot of blood so my veins were not playing ball this morning. I lay there ferociously pumping my hands into fists, willing the blood to follow suit. No luck. Another nurse. More needles. More pumping. Some tears and gritted teeth. Finally we are in! They managed to find a small vein in my hand and get the blood they needed. Phew. Just before I felt like I could have passed out. All this time I was having flashbacks to my time in hospital in London when it took 5 people (2, admittedly, were holding me down) to get a cannula in because, again, they couldn’t find a suitable vein. If I don’t have another blood test for a long while it will still be too soon. Now for a power nap because I feel like I’ve been sucked of all my energy (and blood).

11:30am.

I managed a short nap before someone came in to make up my bed. Literally, so much better than hostel housekeeping.

12:30pm.

Another visit from specialist doctor. He has contradicted earlier doctor and wants to keep me on oral steroids. I really don’t care what they do at this point, just so long as it helps me get better and get out of here.

1:30pm

Lunch time! Wooooooo. Definitely have my appetite back today. Which was good as lunch was actually super nice. I had roast turkey with mashed potato, roasted pumpkin and a cranberry gravy and then jelly and ice cream for dessert. It was like a Christmas dinner mixed with a children‘s birthday party! And guess what… a cup of tea too!

6pm.

So I pretty much napped all afternoon after starting a new series on Netflix – thanks to those who recommended ‘the Stranger’, I’m already hooked! Dinner was lasagna, my all time favourite home-cooked meal (hint hint for when I get home mum). Dessert was ice cream and jelly… again, there seems to be a recurring theme and then a coffee flavoured milk box! Not too bad if you ask me. Two cooked meals a day is more than I’ve been used to for the past few months. It’s basically a luxury!

Going to binge watch some more of ‘The Stranger’ and probably sleep some more. Fingers crossed it won’t be too long before I’m back in the sun- I can feel my tan fading already!

Annabel x

As you can probably tell from my title I’m already going stir crazy!

5am.

It’s day 2 but I feel as though I should be carving lines into the wall marking at least a week. So I’ve been moved and I’m now in isolation room 1. Rooms 2-5 all have coronarvirus patients in. That’s less than 20 metres away! Not scary at all… Other than that nothing too exciting happening, hence why time is passing so slooooowly. I’ve read for a couple of hours, watched some things on Netflix (if you aren’t on the ‘Love is Blind’ hype where have you been- seriously?! It’s so bad but it’s oh so additive) and made shapes from the clouds out of the window. I mean I’m super lonely so any tips of things to do when you’re stuck in a room with literally NOTHING to do to stop me going crazy would be appreciated.

11am.

The only excitement was when a nurse came in and said I was having a PICC line fitted (an IV line straight to the heart). I freaked out, cried a little and refused as it seemed unnecessary, only for her to go away and then come back and tell me she got the wrong patient. PHEW! Imagine if I would have just let her go ahead and do it! Other than that I’ve had a few more tests done this morning- 10 vials of blood to be exact and have just basically been super lazy bored. My consultant expects me to be in at least until early next week so it’s just a waiting game.

1pm.

After a visit from a dietician I have been moved from a liquid diet to a high protein and high energy one. This means plenty of meats and dairy products and even a few sweet treats! (I would have never thought that chocolate milk would become an essential part of my diet but I’m definitely not complaining). Lunch, however, was a disaster. Moroccan lamb curry. Sounds delicious… other than the fact I don’t eat lamb. Forcing myself to eat as my dietician has said it’s super important I keep my calorie intake up I just could not stomach it. Dessert of ice cream and custard went down a whole lot easier though! And I also snuck some of the snacks Pihla had brought me, oops!

3pm.

I normally hide the pain and discomfort pretty well as it’s become the norm for me. In honesty I can’t remember a time when I actually felt perfectly ‘normal’. Today, however, the pain has returned with a vengeance. I’ve tried multiple times to try and describe it to my friends and family but it’s indescribable. It’s severe abdominal pain which makes you feel like you could pass out, coming in waves and contraction-like motions. It takes your breath away. A lot of people do not know what UC is and I get a lot of people ask if it’s contagious (no) or tell me they think they have had it once (I am certain that you have not had it ‘once’). It’s hard to explain to people because I look well and healthy. But I’m not. UC controls your life, although I’ve battled to make sure it doesn’t as much as I can. It are these moments when I’m sick of being sick. I feel like I’m never going to get better. It drains me not only physically but emotionally. I wish daily at 11:11 or when I have an eyelash fall out that I didn’t have this disease. People I love have told me they wished they had it instead of me but I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I hope that by me writing this post it will help more people understand the disease and more importantly, talk about it.

This afternoon I just have to wait for more observations and tests to be done before I get started on a new treatment this evening – thrilling times. Honestly, please send me some ideas of things to do when you’re stuck in a room alone – book and film/TV recommendations, games, even just drop me a message for a chit chat!

One more thing- apparently plasters and heart monitoring patches will remove tan – both fake and natural. So, I will most definitely have to stay in Australia once discharged if only to make sure I don’t go home with white circular patches all over my body. I haven’t endured 9 weeks of tanning and burning for that!

I’m off to have my 5th cup of tea and by the way, mum, if you’re reading this (which I know you are) please try and get some sleep. It’s 3am where you are. I promise, I. am. fine!

Update 1: 5pm.

Starting to feel hungry but no dinner has been brought yet 😦

Update 2: 6pm.

So 6pm is dinner time! For starters; pumpkin soup, for mains; chicken dijonnaise with rice and then dessert; jelly and ice cream! All washed down with a chocolate milkshake- yum! And then also.. yep you guessed it.. a cup of tea. Do you think it’s because I’m British or something?

Annabel x

Before you all jump to conclusions – NO, I have not tested positive for Coronavirus. I am having a flare up of my UC which suckkkkss.

So I did not think I would be sat writing my next blog from a hospital bed. Obviously I am fully aware of my condition and the risks and complications which come with it. But being the stubborn and strong-willed person I am, I was not going to let it stop me from living my life. (Plus I’d booked non-refundable flights and quit my job so I wasn’t in a position to back out.) I’d done soooo well and I’d made it sooooo far (literally all the way up the East Coast to my final stop) before BOOM, emergency room.

Thank goodness for reciprocal health care. If you are coming to Australia from the UK or other participating countries (the list can be found online) you can sign up for free to Medicare. This allows you free public health care whilst visiting Australia. After a visit to the local bulk billing (look out for this term when finding GPs) doctor I was sent straight to A&E where within 10 minutes I was in a bed, tubed and hooked up to various machines. I had bloods and x-rays done within the hour and was moved onto the relevant ward after another couple. Although I arrived onto the ward in the afternoon, I was booked into have a investigative procedure that same evening.

Because of this I was nil by mouth (basically no eating or drinking) and as I had not eaten I was starving by this point. This was also when my family back home woke up and saw my messages. I think this was the scariest part. After my mum freaked out, replying to every message with ‘OMG’ and insisting I get on a flight that day I calmed them down reassuring that I was in the best place. And I really am. (Also my dad got shut down after he sent a picture of his swollen thumb on the group chat to which my mum replied that it was ‘the least of her worries’ and I can only imagine the conversations going on back home! LOL)

I mean other than the obvious cons of being in hospital whilst I should be seeing Australia it’s not all bad. I have my own en-suite room, which I haven’t had for over 2 months. I had a peaceful and undisturbed nights sleep (probably also down to all the drugs I had been given). I get fed three times a day (plus snacks!) and drink numerous cups of tea whilst looking out of my window at the sea. That’s right- the hospital is literally on the beach!! Plus it is actually raining right now so I’m not missing out on tanning time. The efficiency here is phenomenal and the consultants even seem to know some of my consultants from back home! The staff are all super lovely and helpful and make being alone not so scary. At the end of the day they are working their hardest to get me better as soon as possible and do not want me to have to cut my trip short (which may be the outcome although I’m fighting this).

The hostel I was booked into have also been amazing support. They have moved my booking, stored my luggage (believe it or not my clothes were the last of my worries before I was rushed to A&E) and even offered visits to keep me company and check on me. It’s completely overwhelming to know that even on the other side of the world I am not alone.

Finally, my friend Pihla who has been with me since Sydney has been the biggest star. She actually had a flight to Perth the evening I was admitted but still sat with me all day, making me laugh and keeping me from losing my mind with boredom. She also went to get me more clothes and the most important thing – SNACKS!!! You better be reading this girl because I want to say the biggest thank you for being my home away from home ♥️. Hopefully I’ll see you in Perth when I get out of here.

That was day 1 of my unplanned excursion in Cairns. Stay tuned for the rest of my stay (which I’m hoping won’t require multiple blog posts!)

P.S. I wish there was someone with me when I came round from being sedated as the nurses said that apparently I was jokes and nobody got to appreciate the only time I am funny. Damn!

Annabel x

Magnetic Island. The Law of Attraction states that positive thoughts will bring positive experiences and magnetic island – known affectionately as ‘Maggie’ by the locals – definitely lives up to its name. The positive force on the island is apparent as soon as you step off the ferry in the harbour. It has a overwhelmingly tropical vibe, with palm trees lining the bleached white beaches against a backdrop of rainforests. The bus drivers even wear Hawaiian shirts and if you’re driving yourself then it’s either in a topless little barbie cars or mini moke!

If you’re looking to explore Australia’s nature scene then this is your place: koalas can be spotted along the forts walk and wallabies can be fed amongst the rocks on the beach. There are waterfalls hidden amongst the rainforests and the reefs off one of the island’s twelve bays are home to hundreds of fish, sting rays, sharks and turtles.

We spent our three days on the island basking in the beauty and serenity of the beaches, snorkelling the reefs, driving around in a little pink topless car and exploring the many walks through the rainforests. If we thought mainland Australia was hot, we were unprepared for the humidity of the island. It is a different level. You will sweat from places you didn’t even think possible. For example, I swear I was sweating from my eyelids. The sea gives no relief other than to the wash away said sweat. It is like a hot bath and you will definitely be taking a cold shower when you are done for the day.

Because of the heat, we thought we would get up extra early to start our day of trekking. Not that it made too much difference! A two hour trek up the mountains to the old forts was beautiful but totally exhausting and very (very) sweaty. Luckily the views made it all worth it and the koala spotting along the way helped too. We took some precarious pictures on the edge of some rocks (sorry mum) and had some snacks before heading back down to our little car. Jumping over the doors became harder as the day went on but driving at a speedy 40kmph (they didn’t go much faster than that) we felt the wind in our hair and I felt like I was in a movie. Having a car for the first time in Australia was amazing as it meant we could explore the whole island in our own time. We went snorkelling in two different bays; Geoffrey Bay, where we did not see too much; and then Florence Bay, where.. wow. Although it was another long and sweaty walk, we were suddenly alone on this piece of paradise. The sea sparkled in a crescent, surrounded by steep cliffs. In the water we saw sooooo many fish and… a sting ray!!! Leaving here we felt accomplished and filled with joy from the beauty of discovering new places and things. Before sunset we drove to the most eastern point of the island where we were greeted by loads of tiny wallabies. Here we shared our snacks (they love apples and are part of their diet) before heading home for some well earned rest!

Maggie. You’re a gem of the East Coast and I feel lucky that I got to explore you. If you’re travelling and looking for somewhere to stay, Base is in a great location (Picnic Bay) but a very ‘party party’ hostel- think boozy bingo and drinking competitions . On the other side of the island in Horseshoe Bay is the YHA, near the koala sanctuary and a little bit more on the quiet side! If you have any questions, just ask!

Annabel x

This place looks as though it has been transported right from the back of a postcard. It is unbelievable. Crystal clear blue waters and perfectly white sand. I felt like I was in paradise. If you are planning on travelling the East Coast of Australia this has to be on your list of places to visit because it compares to nowhere else in the world. The photographs of the islands are beautiful but still do not do justice to the beauty of the place. It took my breath away.

After spending the night in Airlie Beach, also known as ‘the heart of the reef’ we set sail towards Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island. As the name suggests, the sand is… white. You can probably tell that I am finding it hard to fully describe the beauty of the place because I feel like to completely appreciate it then you need to see it yourself. Add it to your bucket list, I promise that you will not be disappointed.

After an afternoon of exploring, tired and a little sunburnt, we jumped back onto the boat. Once aboard the boat the sun was setting, and with 360 degree views, we had the best seats in the house. I could lie and say that I then went onto get the best nights sleep of my life but this blog is all about honesty. If you have not slept on a boat before, the rockiness of the waves is one thing. Throw into the mix the lack of air conditioning and the fact that you are sleeping below deck in the middle of summer in the Australian tropics and it’s a whole new ball game. I think I got a combined total of one hour sleep, broken by nearly getting thrown out of bed by the waves and the fact I felt like the heat was going to kill me.

5am could not come soon enough (I never thought I’d say that) and I could hear the engine start back up. Onto day two… snorkelling! The Whitsundays is part of the Great Barrier Reef and wow, it did not disappoint. All the things you expect from the reef: colourful corals, fish, turtles were there waiting to be discovered. Armed with my stinger suit, snorkel and woggle (the latest in island fashion) I floated my way around. After snorkelling in three locations and becoming very shrivelled in the water, the boat then headed back home towards Airlie Beach.

Once on dry land again we spent the night partying, drinking and dancing. Who am I kidding, after a sleepless night and two action packed days we headed for bed at 7pm with some ice cold water and Woolworths cookies. Somehow in my drained and disillusion state I was also tricked into booking a skydive. That’s right. I actually paid money to jump out of a plane.

6am Saturday morning and I’m sat strapped to the front of some guy (who was actually from Norwich can you believe it?!) ready to risk my life. I booked the smaller jump at 8,500 ft because I don’t believe in such a thing as a ‘small skydive’. But, once in the air I was told that ‘the Boss’ had given me a free upgrade to the 15,000ft jump as I was the only one booked onto the smaller one. Brilliant. I want words with ‘the Boss’. All this said… it was the best thing I’ve ever done. Honestly. I’m not just saying that to look tough. Although the videos may show me looking terrified, by the time I was falling and could appreciate the views below me I was loving it. And I can honestly say I would do it again and again and again. If you’re debating it but too scared, just take the leap and do it. You will not regret it.

If anything, Australia has made me fearless. I have jumped out of a plane, swam in shark infested waters and climbed mountains. The one thing that still scares me, however, is hostel kitchens. Those places will never be fun.

Annabel x