#WhenTheHeavensOpenedOnFraserIsland

A spot of rain hit us as we gathered into the 4 by 4s ready to drive to Fraser Island (the world's biggest sand island). We had watched a safety video showing us views of blue skies and clear beaches with freshwater lakes and dingoes roaming freely across the island and we were excited to get there and see it for ourselves.

In the car were 3 Swedish people called Victor, Stina and Jolina, then three English girls called Abi, Holly and Sophie and then Steph and me. Abi drove first and had the scary task of reversing on to the ferry. She was pretty annoyed when the woman helped her to steer the car and commented that it was because she was a girl!

The weather started to turn as clouds darkened the once blue sky. By the time we had arrived on the island, a scattered shower was in full motion but let up when we had got to our first destination. Our guide Brent told us about some of the plants in the forest including the King Fern. Worth $4 million each, this particular fern only grows in remote parts of the earth. It must have flowing water around it at all times otherwise it will die. The ferns we were looking at, they estimated were about 500 years old! One Swedish couple had tried to smuggle a baby one out of Australia and are now serving 10 years in prison- moral of the story- don't steal a plant worth 4 mil from Australia!

He told us about the lake that the aboriginal woman used to give birth in and as I looked at it's muddy water and plant debris floating about, I thought how Loren (my heavily pregnant sister) would feel if they told her she had to give birth in there!
After a short walk, we left and I had a go at driving the 4x4 around the island. I was so nervous as we weaved through the smallest gaps and over the branches that were buried in the ground. It was sort of fun but also a relief when we got to the next destination and I could pass the keys to Holly!

We hung on tight as Holly navigated us over the beach, it wasn't long before our wheels were buried beneath the sand and we had to call for help. The waves seemed too close as we waited for Brent to return to get us out. A few gear changes and revs in reverse and we were back on the track. Driving fast across the sand is the key, while avoiding the waves, driving through fresh water puddles and the pouring rain! Just before we reached the camp a golden dingo was jogging beside the car looking miserable in the rain. He sprinted into a near bush and out of sight and then we were at the camp!

Tents! No chance to upgrade this time! Luckily it wasn't long before we were back on the road. I drove us to the next destination, the beach was actually really fun to drive on and I soon became more confident behind the wheel.

Another forest but at the end is a huge freshwater lake with a deep drop. The water is brown because of the surrounding tea tree plants and it's residents are those little fish they used to have in spars that would eat the dead skin off your feet. It became clear to me that my feet must have been at their worst when even dead skin guzzling fish wouldn't go near them for a snack!

Brent told us that if we were to go to the lake now we might miss the

rain.
Brent was wrong!
The rain came down fast and heavily as we trudged through the forest towards the steep sand bank. I stuffed my clothes in my bag and then covered my bag with my coat and ran down into the lake. It was warmer under the water than outside so lots of us chose to have a swim. On the sand surrounding the lake, very cold, unhappy faces sheltered themselves from the rain in their coats and ponchos.

The rain persisted and got heavier, forcing us to head back to the cars, I decided it was pointless to get dressed so I stayed in my bikini and flip flops and dragged myself up the steep and now very slippery hill.

The rain continued through the night, no one wanted to use the toilets as it meant a ten second sprint in the pouring rain and then back again. Luckily our tent didn't take the brunt of the rain. However we weren't completely unaffected. I barely slept as I pushed my face into the damp pillow and every time I moved I felt moisture seeping into my sleeping bag. The floor despite being sand, was like sleeping on a wooden plank and every muscle and joint hurt as I tossed and turned. I was feeling sorry for myself until I got up in the morning.

The entire opposite side of the camping ground had flooded. The water was so deep I could and did wash my flip flops in it. Some people found themselves in a pool of water about 3 or 4 inches deep and Brent's tent had blown completely away so he ended up sleeping in the car. Other people's clothes and belongings were soaked through and they had to borrow warm, dry clothes.

For a long time we all wanted to call it quits and head back to the mainland. The island was too dangerous to drive around, no one had slept, the camp was ruined and everyone was feeling miserable. Fortunately, Brent was an amazing guide and fought with his manager to get a free dryer for everyone's wet stuff, we moved to a dry camp and his manager told him he could put some boxes of goon on the company credit card!

The rain softened but didn't stop as we manoeuvred around the island. My attire for the day was simple, bikini and a rain coat so when we stopped at a lake I would jump out and go for a swim then back in the car I would sit on my raincoat. The group was split between people that dived in the water anyway and those that chose to keep dry in the car. I could understand wanting to be dry but for me I wanted to see and experiences the places I had paid to see- rain or shine!

The best one was the Champagne pools. The only downside was sharp rain drops in my face and eyes! The water was shallow but warm and every few seconds the foam from the sea would bubble over like champagne into the pool. We didn't stay too long as it became uncomfortable to be in the rain but long enough to experience it!

With each passing second, more rain dropped down on us. We saw the famous shipwreck as a blur as we passed by it! The windows were opened for about 5 seconds- just long enough to take a drive by photo and close them up again! The camp stayed dry in the tents but unfortunately the rain spat at us sideways in the common area until we all ended up abandoning socialising and nervously headed to bed.