Following from yesterday’s post, it is time for Day 2 of my 3 day road trip with 3 Italian guys and myself!
….I managed to toss and turn til about 7am where I gave up and read for an hour until the guys awoke. Once everyone was up and had eaten a bit of breakfast (Peanut butter and bread… and an apple) we managed to pack away the soaked tent and all of our gear.
We got in the car and made our way to the Cape Otway Lightstation where we heard we could see wild Koala Bears. Arriving we found out that it was going to cost $20 to go back and see the lighthouse so we decided against it. Instead we went on a lovely walk called the Great Ocean Walk where we became experienced bushwalkers and saw the lighthouse from the distance. The lady at the lighthouse front desk told us that as we drove back to the main road to look up, we would see a ton of Koalas in the treetops. Hopping back into the car, with our nature eyes on, we did! The second we spotted one we began to spot more and more! Sleeping in the treetops, what a good life!
After the morning walk and the koala spottings we were on our way to the most famous view of the Great Ocean Road, the 12 Apostles. Driving from the rolling hills, through the countryside, around the coast, and by the water we spotted over 4 rainbows! This was the one benefit of the crazy windy, temperamental weather we had all trip. We would have sunny skies for a moment and then it would pour for 5 minutes and then go back to sunny with a LOT of wind. Anyways, staring out as these beautiful rocks God had made was just stunning. They stood tall and strong in the middle of the ocean, open to all the weathering and erosion of the wind and waves, yet remaining firm.
It made me think of how we are meant to be: God at times places us in these rough places, out in the ocean with no shelter, allows waves to break over us, and wind to push us from every direction. However, if we remember it is in him that we find our strength, this won’t matter and we will remain erect, hopeful in the waves.
The drive from the 12 Apostles to Logan’s Beach in Warrnambool was one of quiet contemplation for me. Actually this entire trip was one of quiet contemplation since I only understood ¼ of the discussions that were happening around me due to the language barrier. It made me contemplate life, love, faith, and future. It was such a wonderful trip that allowed me to live just in the moment, for me.
Anyways, we had a small stop at this one pool and it reminded me of the H2O pool, and Australian TV show (the teen show that my little brother and I LOVED!) Next the stop at Logan’s Beach was supposed to be one of whale watching as there is still a mom and her calf in the waters, yet with the wind making the waves so crazy, unfortunately we couldn’t spot a whale. However, the views were still stunning!
This is the pool I am convinced H2O was filmed in…
This little bud just hopped right into our car as we were stopped for gas!
Hopping back into the car, I was informed that earlier on that morning the guys had decied we would stay in a warm, dry hostel that night. I was totally on board! I was ready for a shower, warmth and a nice cup of tea. We decided our stop for the night would be in Port Fairy.
Upon arrival we explored one last gem before finding a hostel: Griffiths Island in Port Fairy. WOW! That’s what I have to say about Griffiths Island. It took a bit of my soul and planted it deep in the ground, in the waves, in the sky. I felt God here. As I type this and remember I get chills, wonderful chills that are full of hope. The waves we saw here are the biggest I have ever seen in my life and standing on the edge of rocks as the waves broke in front of me provided a sountrack to my beating heart. This soundtrack played as the sun peaked through the cloudy sky as it began to sink into the ocean, saying goodnight to the world. We strolled, we wrote in the sand, I stared and prayed. God spoke to me here. I felt God’s presence as I stared at the ocean, at the rolling hills, and at the lighthouse standing strong for years. I left a bit of my soul on Griffiths Island and left with more hope than I could fathom.
That night we found a Youth Hostel of Australia where we planted ourselves for the night. We got settled in the cute little hostel, met a few of our fellow vistors: one included a man sent to Port Fairy by his Uni to see how the hospital worked in this small town, an old man who reigned from Italy, and two German girls who were travelling around Australia for 6 weeks. We took showers and the guys fixed pasta for me! We sipped on wine, ate pasta, and spoke in English for an hour! Port Fairy was such a sleepy town. No one was out for our after dinner stroll and the two streets in town seemed to be no more than 15 meters long with nothing happening. It was the perfect night, not too hot, not too cold, comfortable and stable, that’s how I’d describe Port Fairy. It would be a lovely place to raise a family if you wanted the complete community town feel.
And that was Day 2 of the road trip! Tomorrow the trip comes to an end! Thanks for following this journey!!
What an incredible trip for you to be taking, and what a beautiful country you’re getting to see so much more of! It sounds like your trip has been lovely so far, filled with fun, as well as deep, quiet thoughts, and I hope the rest of it is equally amazing. Enjoy the rest of the journey!
I’m so blessed to get this experience to live and travel here for this semester! I have really been shown a lot about life and love through being here! Thank you so much for reading Erin!
What a gorgeous backdrop for a run. I love to be anywhere near the water!
Anywhere near the water is good for me too!! It just is so lovely, whether it be the ocean, a stream, a lake, or a puddle! Water is so pretty!
The beach is my favorite place to be and I just love the stunning photos! I want to see koalas!
It is most definitely mine too! Check back tomorrow for pictures of the koalas, emus, and kangaroos up close and personal (like petting distance!!) Thank you so much for reading this post 🙂
amazing locations + stunning shots + cute pup + adventure in the making. Sounds about right!
Recipe for success right? 🙂 Thank you for reading Lena!! Unfortunately we did have to let the cute pup go, but it was a nice addition for a while!
What lovely photos!! Sounds like an excellent trip 🙂 Thank you for sharing 🙂
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Thank you for reading!! It was such a fun journey!
I loved reading about how God is working in your lives. The photos are gorgeous too! Thanks for sharing–makes me want to go!
Thank you so much for the encouragement Terri! God has been so loving and patient with me as I explore him through this area! I definitely recommend visiting!!
How beautiful! I’m so jealous. I love the beach! But I’m also jealous that you are traveling. I’m living vicariously through you 🙂
The beach is one of the best things ever! It makes me so happy! You are welcome to live vicariously through me but you should get out there and travel yourself! 🙂
Seeing four rainbows is just awesome. The 12 Apostles and the coastal views looks really scenic.
It was so cool! They weren’t huge rainbows or anything but just enough 🙂
All of your pictures look amazing!!! I’m soo jealous you got to go to such a beautiful place!!
Thank you Olivia! It was so amazing!
How glorious. I can see what you feel like it took a bit of your soul. It’s stunning
I know! I felt as though I overshared on photos but it was just too good to not share!!
Even if I do not really run, I would if it would be there! I would love to visit 12 Apostles! It looks like you are having so much fun in there! Nice photos, specially the dog. ;P
Unfortunately I didn’t get to run here but it would have been so wonderful! It is definitely a place to put on your bucket list! I agree about the dog 🙂 So cute!!
This looks so so gorgeous! OMG I would love to run here!
Me too!! Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to run but it would be MARVELOUS!!
That looks like a blast and the scenery is breathtaking. It’s great that you’re having this great experience and you’re able to share it with others along the way. I end u going on trips by myself and I can say the few times I actually traveled with someone else were loads better.
Thank you so much for your encouragement Nile! It was such a good experience to travel with others and get to know them! I am actually about to head off to the Great Barrier Reef for a trip by myself so I will get both experiences! 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Can you actually get near to a koala? I’ve always wanted to see one in the flesh and touch it because they look so cute in pictures. The views there are amazing!
Unfortunately they recommend you don’t pet them, however you can get near! Check out today’s post for close up pictures of the wild koalas!! Thanks for reading 🙂
I can’t believe how gorgeous it is there.
Neither can I!! Everytime I thought I had reached my beautiful views quota there was another!!
Such a pretty nice place to visit! Good to know you’re enjoying your road trip! Can’t wait for the last day!
What an awesome time it looks like you all had. Photos are great!
Looks like it was so much fun – I love the photos and the views too.
Amazing views.
This is genuinely awesome! Thank you for sharing this place with me… I would love to go to amazing places and smile so big when I see people on outdoor adventures like this! 🙂 so cool!
What a fantastic find! Absolutely breathtaking! This place is now on my bucketlist to see. How beautiful. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
The scenery is so gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!
What amazing scenery! Yep, totally just made my bucket list!
This looks like so much fun to do. The scenery is just gorgeous a long with the pup. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing.
What an amazing journey! I am so glad you wrote everything down. Years from now you can read this journal and be reminded of how important it is to seek out the places where you can hear and feel God.
Such beautiful pictures! It seems like you had a wonderful time! 🙂
What a beautiful scene! Looks like a gorgeous place to vacation!
How incredible your trip must have been! Your photos are stunning ❤
Wow, so beautiful! I love the view of the lighthouse 🙂
Those pictures look absolutely stunning! You have a cute puppy 🙂
What a inspiring journey! Gorgeous views, can’t wait to read of your next trip
Wow, what an absolutely stunning location! I’d love to visit one day!
I love being by the beach. It so serene and relaxing. I know you enjoyed a well deserved time away.
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