Save a horse, ride a Cowboy

We set off for Manning gorge this very cold morning but it was far too cold to swim across to the other side to begin the hike so we piled 6 of us into the very small boat and used the rope to pull ourselves to the other side – I’ll admit it definitely didn’t feel like the safest journey I’ve ever been on but we did make it across safely!
It was about an hour and a half hike up to the gorge itself but we were rewarded with beautiful views and beautifully cool water to refresh ourselves with. Christina and I found a perfect spot where we were able to sun bathe but keep our feet dipped in to keep us cool. We chatted for so long about what we both wanted to do with our lives over the next couple of years that we didn’t even realise most of the group had already started heading back and we were almost left behind!

Luckily the long hike had managed to tire me out enough to nap on the ridiculously uncomfortable bus! Boy the things we would do to get Storm’s luxury bus back!! It was a long drive to El Questro Cattle Station but luckily we had a few majestic lookout point along the way! 

    
   
We are camping at El Questro for the next two nights, luckily with it being two nights it means we get the luxury of pitching up a tent to keep us warm! Ariane gave out the instructions (I think it’s already clear that camping isn’t my forte) and our tent was up in no time!! I definitely chose the right roomie there!

Once camp was set up we headed over to the luxury shower huts where we were spoilt with our own individual bathrooms! Unfortunately it had to be too good to be true in some sense and although we did have hot water for once it wasn’t very consistent!

Ariane and I headed over to check out the music at the local bar and grab a quick drink before dinner. We were tempted in my the smell of fish and chips though so treated ourselves to a pre-dinner bar snack whilst listening to the locals attempt to sing some songs – “save a horse, ride a cowboy” was my particular favourite!!  

 
 

Koala days and morning hikes

Yesterday was our koala day on tour, with 750km to travel in one single day from Exmouth to Karijini all we could do was sit back and sleep on the bus. Obviously no complaints from me! After working 70+ hour weeks all semester and having so much society work to finalise before starting the trip a day of sleeping sounds like heaven! 
We got into Karijini just in time for sunset over our campsite and settled in for an early nights sleep (around 9pm!) as we had a 4am wake up call to hike up Mount Bruce to catch the sunrise!

The early morning typically had to come in the middle of the best sleep so far of course! But it was a great hike to the top with fantastic views!! It was a good achievement for me too – knowing all my previous gym efforts haven’t worn off yet.  

   
I thought hiking up to the top would be the hard part but in fact the walk down was much harder! Very steep rocks to ‘scramble’ down and this time the only place to look is down the cliff!! Luckily we all managed okay, it wasn’t until we were back on relatively flat land again that I managed to fall over, graze my hand and damage my other arm! But that’s not really surprising knowing me!

After lunch we headed into Dale Gorge, a 3km hike there and back – wasn’t easy with the thighs already burning!! I led the way for some of the part back however after almost leading the group through several pools and a very tight squeeze through one rock Sarah took over – she definitely did a much better job than myself! When we got to the end there was a huuuge climb through many many stairs to the top and I really wouldn’t be surprised if I wake up with buns of steel like JLo!!

We’re heading back to the camp now for dinner and an attempt at a later night although with the whole bus is asleep around me already I’m not so sure that will happen!

Surfaris

It wouldn’t be an East Coast trip without some surfing so next up we headed towards Surfaris Surf Camp. As we arrived, got ready and headed down to the beach it continued it’s downpour of rain and hail, our instructors kept telling us not to worry as it wouldn’t make a difference once we were in the water but that didn’t help. Thanking our lucky stars as we started to unload the surf boards the sun made an appearance and stayed for the rest of the afternoon!

I was a little hesitant at first to try out surfing as I’ve heard from friends how much water ends up in your eyes/mouth/nose/etc but I powered through, listened to all the instructions and headed out with everyone else…

It certainly wasn’t easy but it was fun!!! You begin to paddle when you’ve decided to take that wave and continue with 4 more paddles once the wave has hit your feet, then spring feet onto the board but hold on with your hands until you’ve caught your balance. Too many times I let go too quickly or leaned to far back and completely wiped out but I soon learnt that was the fun of it!

Unfortunately one of our team landed badly once wiping out and ended up snapping both the bones in her ankle and got rushed off to hospital where she will likely stay for the remaining 2 days of the trip.

The rest of us headed back to the camp for dinner and a few drinks before a well earned sleep!!

Colombia needs trains

First weekend away trip and I am very excited!!!! – although I’ll admit it is mostly for the warm shower I’ll be able to have when I’m there!!

We are going to Santa Rosa to some Thermal Springs for a nice relaxing weekend of sun bathing – if the sun decides to come back out that is. If not we’ll be hiding in the warm springs away from the rain…

5:30 AM alarm set to get to the bus station for 7am to start our journey: two buses and a chiva or jeep!

Colombia really needs to invest in trains! Travelling around would be so much easier if you could get fast trains to and from!!

The sound of the trickling water

My advice to anyone going to the Waterfalls – pay for transport to the top. It is more than worth it!!!

I’m told its an hours walk but there is no way on this earth that it was only an hour, it felt like a year. The views are beautiful and there is finally some clean, fresh air but oh my god the heat was intense!

I’m not a big fan of sweat as I’m sure most people aren’t but we all had to just embrace it and continue.

We were shown a shortcut through a bunch of trees by an old Colombian man however it felt more like a shortcut to death! Unsteady rocks, branches that could knock you out and large drops that you just had to jump – I was scared for my life on several occasions but it definitely made the journey funnier.

We got to a little shack selling water and beer (no fruit juice though!!) and I was told we were half way – I thought I might die having to do it again just to get there!! Luckily it was a joke and we were only a couple of minutes away, we paid the fee and continued through a field full of cows, bills, dogs, cats and more chickens than you could count.

Ahhh what’s that? The sound of water!!! I can’t see it but I can hear it – temptation at its finest!

It was a beautiful waterfall and the reward of cool water surrounding your hot, sticky body was definitely worth it!!!

You can climb further and further up (7 pools apparently) but I only made it to the 3rd before my hunger got the better of me.

The walk back was far worse than I could have imagined. Now I’m no Geologist but surely if you walk up hill to get somewhere you must walk down hill to get back?? But no somehow the walk home was still all up hill!!!!! Running low in energy, water and most of all motivation I struggled to make it all the way.

A good 10 hour sleep sorted me out though and I made it back into the office the next day.

It’s good to know they have a stretcher if needed.