So after the forced cancellation of my 3 day tour, I found a 2 day option to do almost the same trip. I jumped at the chance to get out of my rut (go big or go home) and get out of the city.
The day started with a 0715 pickup in the strangest and brightest orange tour van. Over 7 tons of 4WD power, this lil'' beast plowed it's way through sand and rocked like a boss. Note to everyone: when the guide says to put on your seatbelt....you put on your seatbelt.
The coolest part of this trip was Indian Head cliff. Part in due to the fact that we got to see the sunset from a really cool vantage point and were also treated to a small show by some humpback whales passing through.
I could literally go on and on about every place that we visited. For instance, I got to drink fresh water out of one of the many streams on the island (that also had a reddish tint to it, an indication of tea tree oil that had been seeping in). I even got to wade in a muddy pool of silica, apparently great for the skin! Seriously...I could go on.
Despite the rush of the day and even meeting a new friend, I spent quite a bit of time just thinking about my life and where I want to go. (A topic best left discussed in person.) But as each day passes, it's becoming more and more clear what direction that is. Finally, I'm starting to gain clarity in my priorities.
Overall, today was refreshing and relaxing.
I only hope day 2 is just as amazing and productive.
/////
Day 6 - Fraser Island Part 2
So to recap, yesterday was amazing. The environment was overwhelmingly wonderful and beautiful enough that my mood couldn't be ruined by my highly pretentious tour guide. He brings new terms to the word: douchebag.
Haha. But everytime I get annoyed, I look around at the beautiful landscape and realize I can just put in my headphones and tune him out.
But let's get back to the positive. I was roomed with the most interesting group of young ladies. A Taiwainese college sophomore from Melbourne, a Canadian school teacher from Melbourne and a Mexican young professional who had just finished her Masters in Sports Management. This sounds like the lead in to a really bad joke btw...
We had the most insightful and open conversation that I've ever had with a complete group of strangers...and women. It was nice to feel empathy from another woman, since being in the military, it's hard to get that from uber competitive, must-prove-myself type of girls that typically don the boots and camo.
There are always exceptions!! Wonderful, amazing and live very far away from me, exceptions!
Moving on...
Woke up to watch the sunrise above the horizon. It was simply awe-inspiring. I wanted to punch someone in the face at that moment...I felt THAT good.
Note: Aussie breakfast and lunch are pretty much the same damn thing as an American breakfast and lunch. Just different terms.
After breakfast, we drove into the island and went on a 3.1km walk through the rainforest. For me, it was a 3.1km jog through the rainforest. Something my guide had mentioned earlier about this island being host to 7 out of 10 of the world's deadliest snakes and an army of leeches was enough to convince me that I could use a lil' workout.
Oh and I did that in sandals. Leech and snake free. :-)
Next, went on a wonderfully boring, but informative tour of the trees and an old logging station. Supposedly some of the Satinay trees here are worth over a million dollars. My tour guide encouraged all of us to "hug" a million dollars. I refused. So he hugged me instead......annnnnnd again during another part of the trip when demonstrating how some vines wrap themselves around the trees. Why me! Wasn't it enough that you threw silica mud at me yesterday?
Ew. No more please.
Oh and got to finally step outside while our bus was on the ferry coming back to the mainland. What is another word for awesome???
I will miss you Fraser Island. Too bad I didn't touch that cursed wooden outpost - yes, supposedly all the women who touch this get married soon.
Tomorrow! A walk in the bush and glow worms!
Listen to this while you wait: Jungle Love - Steve Miller Band
No comments:
Post a Comment