May 2008

Today we go for another 10k walk up the mountains, same old stuff - not that it's boring.

Having done the Grampians part of the journey we can now travel along the Great Ocean Road. This is testimony to the fact you shouldn't go just by what other people say, as I was given the impression that it was a very narrow, winding and dangerous road. It is, but ... it's not excessively so.

We stop off at various points along the route to see waves crashing spectacularly onto the shore or banks. We also get to walk on the beaches. There is a famous story of two people surviving a shipwreck at a place called Loch Ard Gorge and the sea here is clearly very rough. It's a 'must see and visit' place for all tourists. Nearby is a blow hole. The sea rushes in through a channel and bursts out of a hole, a little bit like an erupting volcano.

Also, in the same area are the 'twelve apostles' - there are only seven of them (I think). If I heard the story correctly, they used to be called 'pigs' by the locals, but 'the twelve apostles' made them sound more interesting for tourists. These are naturally formed limestone pillars that stand just off the coast and in the sea. There are only seven of them, but it looks like another one was being created due to the erosion caused by the sea.

We're given the opportunity to take a 7 minute helicopter ride over the area - not free. I've never been in a helicopter before, so why not. It is a memorable experience. The view from above is spectacular. Everyone should have a helicopter. If I had a spare 250 thousand pounds in the bank I would buy one.

I could easily stay here for much longer, but by definition, 'traveling' means I must move on. Here's a picture of two of the apostles

My room was freezing last night ! It probably wasn't really that cold, but Melbourne is a lot further South than Brisbane and that makes a difference. I make my way to where the bus is waiting for me at 7:00am; I'm going on a 3 day excursion to see the Grampian mountains and then to travel along the Great Ocean Road.

I'm not really sure what I signed up for. I was given a choice of a one day, two day or three day trip on the great ocean road and I chose three days. We set off to the Grampians - another international set of about fifteen travellers. This time it's people from other countries I haven't met before like Persia (Iran, I think). This girl doesn't look sixteen years old and she's studying engineering at university here; I'm guessing she's a genius, but I didn't ask. There are no international relationship conflicts throghut the trip.

The Grampians are a range of mountains named after the mountain range in Scotland. There is little logic to this as they aren't similar at all (so I'm told). It takes us about for hours to get there by bus and we go on a hike to one of the peaks. If you're into climbing mountains in a way that doesn't require ropes and other climbing gear this is ideal. The view from the peak is well worth the hour long climb. The intermittent rain is a little bit of a nuisance but nothing more. It's difficult to describe the view: It's high, panoramic, quiet, peaceful, windy, you see a lot of trees below you, other mountains around and although many people have done it before you feel like one of the few who has. And then you make the journey down.

We are then driven to a hostel to stay. The Guide, with our help, cooks us spaghetti bolognese. It wouldn't win any cookery prizes but we all have to eat and are grateful for it. And most people go to bed early.