25th September - The great ocean road of rain

Unfortunately for the first week, well 4 days really, in the entire time since I quit work all the way back on June 2nd, we have had bad weather. We all have to have it sometime and we haven't had our fair share, even in New Zealand it didn't rain that much, it was just cold. But it did and it is miserable. Hailing in fact.

But on the plus side I'm feeling much better thanks, and we stayed at a SUPER-ECO hostel in Apollo Bay. A newly built, $3 million hostel by YHA and it is quite impressive. Big bay windows overlooking the bay, 2 massive kitchens and 2 massive lounges. We had a double with a balcony AND there was a bath in the blokes. Awesome, we haven't had a bath for months... showers yes, I'm not that stinky!

Stopping on the way to Apollo bay, we took a detour to the lighthouse at Cape Otway. The lighthouse wasn't much so we gave it a miss, but instead slowly drove along the road with Sarah looking up at the Eucalyptus trees looking for wild bears. Low and behold around a corner there was a parked car with two other english girls staring at a tree, so I sent Sarah out to investigate with 'Chris Kamara' the camera. The conversation went a little something like this and in such a high pitched excited way that it couldn't possibly translate into anything digital: -

Girl - 'Can you see the Koala?'

Sarah - 'Yes it's up there!'

Girl - 'Can you see the baby with it'

Sarah and Girl - 'Awwwwwwwww'

There were about 4 on the way back to the main road so the diversion wasn't entirely wasted. One more native species to cross off the list, in the wild too which is double points. More from these critters later.

We had to cruise back along the Great Ocean Road as we have flights up to Cairns and some heat for the Monday afternoon. So we pelted up the twisty ocean roads going up and down mountains looking at the massive waves in the microscopic Hyundai Getz rental, the americans would never allow this into their country. Anyway, we took a corner a little quick, nothing dangerous, just saving time, but the following conversation took place -

Sarah - 'Look out!!!!'

Geof - Swerves car away from object in middle of road, good job the Getz is tiny we had plenty of space.

Sarah - 'Oh my god what IS that?'

Sarah - 'Awwwwwwwwwwww'

Yes, that is the sound of a lazy assed koala bear crossing the road randomly and very slowly having just climbed a cliff face. Cool though, nearly had some endangered species roadkill. I also slowed down to see if the massive Ute I'd just overtaken didn't get it either, fear not the Koala bear lived.

Right we are off to Cairns. Heat will be with us once again, maybe even sunshine.

Laters

Pricey and the Bear hunter