Ages ago
Door: Lilalai
Blijf op de hoogte en volg Lai
26 Maart 2014 | Australië, Beverley
Here’s another great story as I say myself. Still I’m far behind with giving you all the crazy adventures I did until now. So enjoy reading this story and I hope I finish the rest of the story in now and a week. At the moment I’m in Beverley and catching up with all the people I served at the pub in 2012. They still recognise me and they are glad to have me back in town. If you can't remember what I wrote the last time, then go back to my last story and read the end and then read this one. Enjoy!
Back in Airlie Beach, I booked another 3 more nights in Beaches. This time I shared my room with 7 more girls. The shower and air-con were much better, then the other room and this time I even paid less. Thursday the 13th of February I woke up at 07.00AM, because the girls in my room were all leaving. Some on tours, others to another destination. I took the bus to the wildlife office, tTo get more information about disclosure tracks. The office would open at 09.00AM, so I had another hour to go get some breakfast and lunch at the IGA. Before 09.00AM I was back at the office. I saw people walking inside, but still nobody opened the door. At 09.30AM I was done waiting and knocked on the door. A young woman, probably my age walked in the direction of the door. She didn’t opened the door before she first had a look at the clock. Two minutes later I stood outside. The only useful information she had given me, was that the Whitsunday’s Great Walk was closed, because of the wet season. I literally had waisted 1,5hour of my beautiful day. I decided to go to Conway National Park, so I waited for the bus. The bus driver wasn’t in a good mood either. I was so annoyed by both of the people, that my day didn’t start that well. Any way by common thinking and a good sense of direction I found the coral beach track. I read the sign, but I wish I had not done that, because when I got go the mangroves, my fear overloaded me again. Did I just see a crocodile down there?? Why the hell did they wrote it down? I was definitely not enjoying the walk, so I turned around and walked back. Why was I such a chicken??
I walked to the lookout above the ferry terminal and sat there for 2 hours. An older man named Jim started to talk to me. He promised me that there were no crocodiles on the track. I wouldn’t die or get chased. I would think about it, I said. At 13.00PM I decided to walk all the way back to Airlie Beach. On the way back I found the entrance of another track in the National Park. There were some cars parked, so I would give it a go. It was only 2,3km to the Mount Rooper lookout. At 14.00PM I stared my walk. First I had a look at Conway lookout. The start was already uphill. It was so humid and warm that I had drunk a litre water, before I even had start the walk I found a large branch, to protect me from spider webs and other creatures. I tried to make as much noise as I could. There were some small lizards around, but further then that I saw and heard nothing. The Mount Rooper lookout was really nice. I was so happy, so I took a bunch of photos of myself jumping in front of the camera. It was fun! From the lookout I decided to go further the track. It would be another 3.1km to finish the Mount Rooper Circuit. The area changed and there were more birds and some monitors around. One huge monitor climbed in a tree, right in front of my noise, that was amazing to see. I also met by accident a huge spider. I broke a web with my branch, because it was in the path. The moment I did that, a huge spider became visible. It looked similar as the green spider I saw on South Molle Island. This one was red with orange and had black legs. I destroyed whole his web, to make sure it was not hanging in my neck somewhere. You know that I actually admire those spiders, because the way they make those webs is incredible! Have ever one of you, who reads my stories, watched a spider, making a gorgeous web?? I suggest that you should do it, if you haven’t done so. It is 1 out of 50 things; you should do before you die. It’s a miracle!
When I got to the point to go left for the car park or right for Swamp Bay, I chose right of course. It was only 1km from that point. Swamp Bay was beautiful and because of the low-tide I could walk a fair end. At 17.05PM I had the bus back to Airlie Beach. When I arrived in the room, I was even more happy, because I had no new roommates, so I had the whole room for myself. Jippie! I slept great that night.
Valentines day the 14th of February was a beautiful day. I didn’t really do much exciting’s, then calling with some people. My Valentine for the day was a jug of cider with pink cordial. I enjoyed every bit! The next day I left Airlie Beach and went to Magnetic Island. My first reaction was: Wow it’s really paradise. They welcomed me with open arms, it was the opposite of the girl I had on the phone when I booked a dorm. I cooked myself some dinner. I was happy to do that after a week not cooking for myself.
The next day I explored the island by foot. First to Geoffrey’s Bay, then past Alma Bay, From there to the Forts Car park. The Forts walk should be the best walk on the island, because it’s famous of it’s high population of koala’s and WWII ruins. I didn’t see any koala though and the ruins didn’t really interest me that much. The view on the top of the Forts, was amazing though.
After the Forts walk, I walked to Horseshoe Bay. I pass on the way the Koala Village, who have wildlife tours and I was just in time to join the next one. I hold turtles, skinks, dragons and some birds. I could also hold a snake, but the one time in Alice Springs in 2012 was enough. It started to thunder , so I jumped in a topless barbie car with some others I met in Airlie Beach. I was back in no time, cause she drove as a maniac. A good experience, but I rather walk. In the evening I had some free bubbles, who I surprisely enough liked.
The next day I went snorkelling with Fab in Florence Bay. The weather wasn’t that good, but there was no wind either. The coral wasn’t colourful at all, but the fishes were. We stayed as close to the beach as we could, because there was an unknown world further up. But they told me, that Florence Bay was one of the best spots to snorkel, so I went a bit further in the sea. The fish got bigger and bigger. Even the stingrays were colourful; I never would imagine they were that bright. There was one moment I got lost in the high plants, because stupid me followed a fish. It was a maze where I had to get out of. I got so scared and was thinking all crazy stuff, so it took me a while to get to reality again. When my common sense got back to me again, I looked above the water and swam straight back to the beach, with my arms close to my body. We got a lift back to town, because the bus wouldn’t come by for another hour.
The night wasn’t as comfortable as the nights before, because of the heavy rain. The next morning we had a huge pool right in front of our dorm. My dorm was the most far dorm from the reception, the bar venue and the shower/toilet block . I don’t know why they put a sanctuary dorm all the way at the end of the area, but we were. Any way it was ok once you got used to it, but going to the toilet at night, wasn’t that easy at all. You definitely needed a torch to see the path.
That day I only went for a small walk in the afternoon, because it had stopped raining. I walked to Hawkings Point. On the top we had a view as far as Townsville and that’s 8km’s over sea. It was nice to be outside, after a whole night, morning and most of the afternoon of rain. In the evening I made pasta for two, but I ended up with 3 plates. My measure sucks!! I went to bed at 19.00pm, because I was tired. When I woke up after an hour or so, I remembered I hadn’t washed up yet and I also wanted to take a shower. But I didn’t feel like getting up in any kind of way. It would be ok for me, to go to bed smelly, but leaving my mess for others, would not be ok for me. So after half an hour I went to the kitchen and cleaned my pots. I was satisfied. I took a good hot shower and went to bed. There was a kookaburra on the venue, a possum under the roof and a rock wallaby outside our dorm. It was a good day, even though the rain made us all a bit depressed.
Together with Jo, I walked the track from Nelly Bay to Arcadia Bay (6.2km). In our poncho and rain jacket we started our walk. There was a lot of wildlife on the track, such as: a curled up snake, small lizards, spiders, snails sticked to the trees, birds, eagles and a wallaby. The scenery changed every minute, it was a good walk. We walked over small creeks and waterfalls and even had to walk off the path once, because a whole tree had fallen over the path. Most of the trip we walked without any rain, but when we got to the top a massive hose of rain got us. In about 3 seconds we were soaked in wet. Hahahah. We laughed about it though, because it’s better to have fun with the two of you, then being soaked in wet by your own.
At night the wildlife from the day before were there again and this time I also saw a green tree frog sitting outside our room. It was too quick to take a photo off though.
On the 20th of February it had stopped raining. So I went for a walk. Of course I had missed the bus again, so I had to walk again to the Forts. From there the other track to the other bay’s started. The first lookout was over Arthur’s Bay, and then I went off to Florence Bay, who was much nicer now the sun was out. I stayed there about 1,5 hour, enjoying the place in peace with no one around. Radical Bay was my third stop, the palm trees were huge and wow!!! He water was not that bright though, comparing the view. After Radical Bay I went to Balding Bay. The way up there was beautiful and I could tell that there weren’t many people who walked that track. I had to step over creeks, because of the rainfall the days before. I had to walk through high spinifex, that itches as hell. When I arrived at the beach, I noticed that I was alone. So because it was a nude beach, I got into my white bikini. After I checked the water for jelly fishes, I went into the water. So refreshing!
I was alone in paradise and I loved it! I think it was after 45 minutes, that a local guy joined me. He didn’t stop talking, so eventually I left Paradise for Horseshoe Bay. From there I took the bus home.
The following days I met some great people: Sammy, Rosie and Kat from England and a couple from Italy, who I hang out with a lot.
One morning I woke up at 06.00AM and knew the sun was coming up at that time, so on my flip flops and with my camera I walked down to the rocks. I sat there for about 30 minutes, when I realised that I forgot to turn off my alarm at 07.00AM. I didn’t wanted to wake up my 7 roommates, so I hurried myself back to the top. Halfway I kinda jumped on top of one rock, and I couldn’t find my balance, so I knew I would fall backwards. So I turned myself around and was just thinking where are would fall, where I would hit the rocks, where I would end up. I screamed a bit and eventually my left leg came stuck in between a rock and spinifex. I had a small wound on my shin. Still I had to turn off my alarm, so as quickly as I could with my itchy and bleeding leg I ran uphill to the room. Such a stupid action! In the end I could have been much worse though. I must have had some good karma. I put on some methadone and a plaster.
Even though I could feel my leg, I still wanted to go for a walk. I met the Italian couple and we walked with the tree of us the Arcadia to Horseshoe Bay track. We chat about everything and nothing, it was so nice. The weather was humid and hot, though we hadn’t had one drop of rain yet. Beatrice wanted to see a koala, before they would go to Cairns, so we went to the Forts walk again.
By coincidence I saw a koala. We enjoyed our privilege to take photos without having anyone around to share. My friends climbed some rocks to get closer, but I stayed down. I had seen enough rocks for that day. At 16.50PM we had the bus to Geoffrey’s Bay where we were going to feed rock wallabies. I had a delicious apple for them, too good to give away. But they enjoyed it was much as I would have done. On the beach we watched the sunset and at 19.15PM we walked in darkness to the ferry terminal. We said goodbye!
The next day I had to say goodbye again. The English girls were leaving me, they were heading to Cairns. I was going to miss them. Such great people, a bit too polite, that it scares me, but they have respect for everyone and they enjoy being around others.
On the 24h of February I hired a bike. My bike trip started at 09.00AM. Quite late, considering that I was awake since 06.00AM. The way uphill was really tuff, wow I had some difficulties with going up, but I was thinking that the way back would be easy peasy. If that may be a word. Stupid me had only taken half a litre water, so I made a stop at the Forts to fill up my bottle. And what I’m going to tell you now, probably you won’t believe me……… right in front of me, there were 2 koalas. Yes 2 koalas! I believe it was my treat for the hard work going uphill. I’m considering myself being spoiled now ;-). At Horseshoe Bay I took a break and gave myself some rest. After a whole day of cycling, walking around and searching for hidden waterfalls I cycled all the way back to the hostel. Till the Forts I had to push myself up, I was not planning to get off my bike, as I did in the morning. From the Forts it was all downhill. In no time I was back at Alma Bay woehoe and from there it was only one hill up and then it would be all flat till the hostel. I was smelly, dirty and sweaty, but there was still one track I really wanted to do. So after eating a whole honey melon, I jumped on my bike again. I went uphill to Picnic Bay and then wanted to fly down, but I only deserved it, if I cycled down to the rubbish tip. So I did, then down I turned around and went uphill again. On the top I flew downhill. Wiehiehiewooh it was so cool! Sometimes I had to use the breaks in the corners, because I was going fast as hell. Behind me there was the local bus, but he just had to wait till I got down. Patient, patient ;-). Back at the hostel I had a new roommate. Stef from England. Same age as me, and kind of the same personality, so we connected very well.
The next day I walked all the way to Horseshoe Bay. It took me 2 hours to get there. From there it was another half hour walk to Balding Bay. I wasn’t alone this time, but still there was a spot in the shade. It was peaceful and quiet, until someone said: Hi Lai. Hi John I said back. John recognised my white butt and pink bag. He came sitting at my spot and didn’t stop talking for the next 3 hours. It was almost like he had to shut his mouth when he was at home. I was planning to go sun bating and sleeping, but the whole day turned out differently. There was one good thing about John having around, because the other guy was a pervert. At some point I also didn’t like to be around John, because he was telling stuff about the other guy, that it looked like they were playing a game together. Any way I made it back alive and unharmed. At 16.00PM I was back at Horseshoe Bay and treated myself with a magnum with honey and pistachio, it was yummy, yummy. At 16.30PM I was going to feed Lorikeets at the Koala Village. We got wet bread in our hands and in a couple of seconds they flew right to it. I’ll tell you this: It was bloody painful. They didn’t bite me, it wasn’t that. Just when they were sitting on your shoulders, head and arms their feet and nails were hanging on to your skin. I tried to enjoy it, but it was the worst experience so far in my life!
At 16.45PM I had the bus back to the hostel. It took forever, because the bus dropped off the locals right in front of their homes. In the room we had 3 new girls. One unknown drunken girl was sleeping above me. She was so emotional about a guy she had met. The perfect guy as she described him at the age of 18. She was hilarious, but gave me a bad night of sleep. Even in the morning at 05.30AM she woke up jumped out of the top bunk bed and slammed the door behind her. She repeated this act at least 4 times. The unknown girl was looking for her phone, but she forgot that it was in the recharger. Stef and I were here lifesavers she said. Ahum…………………
The rest of the days, I didn’t really do that much then hanging around the hostel, swimming pool and bar venue. It was only my last night at the hostel, that I got so drunk that I ended up in the men’s toilet, who I assumed to be the ladies room, because there was still a picture of a woman on the door. I was in the men’s toilet for more than an hour. My best friends were the ants. I slept half, until Stef knocked on the door. You’re still here? She asked me. Yep, was my answer. Open the door, she shout at me. No, I answered back. I’m going to bring you to your bed, she said. I told her, that I could find my own bloody room, after 2 weeks. So she left me. At 21.30PM I reached my bed. I had plenty of time to get myself sober again. The next morning I felt pretty good, except for the slight headache. Sleep is the best cure I recon. At 10.10AM Stef and I left the Island. At 12.00AM we had the bus to Cairns. Stef got out in Mission Beach, I would catch up with her in 5 days. I arrived in Cairns at 17.50PM and at 18.45:M I had reached my home for the next couple of days.
Well I can imagine you didn't read that all in once, but if you came to this point, then all I want to say is: Thank you for reading!
See ya soon! Li La Lai
-
26 Maart 2014 - 10:16
Mathea:
Heerlijk Lai, al die wandelingen en heerlijk al die spannende ontmoetingen met onze 'medebewoners' op deze aardbol. Ik heb ook al vaker vol bewondering naar een web staan kijken, het zijn ware kunstwerkjes. Jet en ik hebben afgelopen zaterdag op onze wandeling in de omgeving van Boxtel zwanen gespot die elkaar het hof maakten. Brabant is ook prachtig maar minder spectaculair natuurlijk dan jouw huidige ervaringen. Geniet ze.... ook zonder alcohol..... haha.
Mom Thee
-
06 April 2014 - 12:24
Mathea:
HIEPERDEPIEP HOERA !
Proficiat met je 27 ste verjaardag. Leuk dat het gelukt is om je aan de telefoon te krijgen ... voor nu nog een fijne avond en laatste reis-week down under.
kus, mom Thee -
09 April 2014 - 18:26
José:
Hee lieve Lai, nog HEEL HEEL hartelijk gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag. Ik hoorde van Thee dat je er een mooie dag van gemaakt hebt. Maak er ook maar een heel mooi nieuw volgend levensjaar van. En jeetje wat een avonturen allemaal. Wat heb je toch veel gedaan en gezien.Heel leuk om te lezen! Ik heb er lekker 2 bakjes koffie bij gedronken. Trouwens ook prachtige foto's op facebook voorbij zien komen. Heel mooi die van jou met een watercirkel van je haren met op de achtergrond een waterval. Kreeg zelf helemaal zin om de wandelschoenen aan te trekken en een ver oord op te zoeken. Als ik het goed heb ben je over 2 weken al weer terug in ons kleine landje aan de Noordzee. Geniet dus nog maar met volle teugen en alvast een hele goeie reis terug naar NL. -
11 April 2014 - 12:50
Mathea:
Lieve Lai,
over enkele dagen een hele goede reis terug naar huis.
Dao en ik staan op Schiphol ...... poehe in alle vroegte !
Mom Thee -
11 April 2014 - 13:14
Dao:
Goeiendag zeg wat een verhaaaaaaal weer! Ik bedoel verhalen! Leuk leuk, heb het in 2 etappes gelezen! Toen ik bij de laatste alinea was, was ik alweer vergeten wat je bovenin allemaal had gedaan. Het is gewoon zoveel wat jij allemaal onderneemt! hihi
Maar ik hoor en zie volgende week de verhalen en foto's ook! Tot op Schiphol in de vruuugte! Moeten we nog iets meenemen? Boterham met pindakaas of drop?;)
G'day! -
13 April 2014 - 19:32
Lilalai:
Neeeeeeeeee, niets mee brengen alstublieft!!! Volgens mij ben ik sinds Beverley wel een aantal kilo's aangekomen en ik was zo goed bezig ;-). Het is nu 03.30 hier op het vliegveld in Sydney. Gisterenavond aangkomen vanuit Perth en ik dacht zo maar te blijven op het vliegveld, want ik moet over 2 uur alweer inchecken, opweg naar Zuid Korea. Any way sis, er komen nog zoveel verhalen, ben nog steeds 1,5 maand achter op schema hahahaha. En ja die vroege ochtend morgenvroeg, we zitten in hetzelfde schuitje weet je :-). Kunnen we het samen ook vieren!! Jose dankje wel voor je reactie!! Nou ik ga maar weer eens verder wandelen..................... daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag
Reageer op dit reisverslag
Je kunt nu ook Smileys gebruiken. Via de toolbar, toetsenbord of door eerst : te typen en dan een woord bijvoorbeeld :smiley