Upon arrival at Katoomba mountain lodge I had full intentions of unwinding, getting some groceries, fitting in a cat nap and cooking a good dinner.. But we all know how traveling with no plans goes!
I went to walk to the view site of the three sisters where I was approached by two girls from Germany- in that moment I didn't realize how much I would learn from them. They asked if I wanted to join them on their afternoon walk to the Leura Cascades, little did I know this walk would become a 5.5 hour hike!!!!!
It was magical. Walking through the lush green mountains, birds chirping, I really felt like I had hit the jackpot. Gesa and Johanna are both from Germany, but opposite ends! Both are 19 and are staying here in Australia and looking for farm work in the north. It was such a pleasure to chat with them. We discussed everything from religion to slang in both countries!
The Leura cascades were marvelous, the small waterfalls were so beautiful I'm having a hard time expressing their beauty.
Panic set in when the sunset and we hadn't found our way back yet. Luckily I had my headlight, my flashlight and matches just in case!!!
When we made it back we made plans for a hike in Blackheath called The Hanging Rock. From the time we left our hostel to the time returned to the exact spot we had been gone 7 hours and 14 minutes. 6.5 of those hours had been walking and hiking!!! The hike was amazing, difficult but so worth the magnificent views. You could hear waterfalls without seeing them. The wind telling us stories along the way. The scares of bush fire burns painted the trees. It was a truly breathtaking hiking, literally and figurative :) I wasn't brave enough to cross the small opening connecting mainland to the hanging rock-- looking down was scary enough!! Eventually we returned and I had plans to sit down and figure out what hike I would do the next day.
During dinner I met the most wonderful character, Fabio. Of Belgium and Pakistani decent Fabio has been living, studying and teaching equine studies at the University of Melbourne. He was looking for land for his horses for when he retires next year. He told me he was returning to Melbourne after three weeks of looking for properties, looking at rental houses and finding a barn. I told him I wasn't able to travel the great ocean road my last visit to Melbourne and was hoping to get back there eventually... At this point he stopped me and said what are you waiting for, I told him I wanted to hike a few more days and he said I could always hike when I return to Sydney with my mom... He proceeded to ask me "would you like a ride to Melbourne tomorrow? I am leaving at 6:00 AM" I hesitated at first-- I slept on it. The next morning I was up at 5:30, had one cup of tea and was on the road by 6:00!!!!! So much for a planned week in the mountains -- but I got two memorable days with Gesa and Johanna!!
The journey was amazing- 12 hours 44 minutes from Blue Mountains to Melbourne. It was Thursday of Thanksgiving (but really Wednesday in the states). Fabio told me stories about his broken relationship with his mother, his horses, and his friend Robert whom lived until 107. When Fabio asked Robert the secret to living so long he gavee him three reasons. Unaware of where I was staying that night I started walking to hostels, the first too expensive, the second too much of a party hostel, finally I arrived at The Ritz... I took a nice long hot shower and had a nice evening meeting people from the hostel. Most of them from the UK looking for work or already working and paying rent by the week to the hostel. A big group of them were going to explore the great ocean road this weekend, knowing I was already planning on going with Fabio Sunday I didn't inquire about details.
I went to sleep about 11 with no plans for the morning so I slept in!!!
Yesterday I walked to Ackland street and while the US was celebrating Thanksgiving I enjoyed a cappuccino and a sweet treat from Ackland Street famous for cakes and pastries! I walked into the city and explored the Melbourne museum for the afternoon!!
Fabio gave me a ring today apologetic and saying he had a meeting with the realtor blah blah blah so I walked back to the hostel and asked around seeing if they had already left and one gal had mentioned they had room for one in the car leaving this afternoon!!! So I am going to pack right after I hit publish for this post and will keep ya'll posted on this crazy fun adventure I am having!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment