On the Road Again pt. 2

The next night was quiet and tranquil. Well it was until some moron on a dirtbike decided that he was going to go tearing through the forest in the middle of the night although, it was a nice change from the wombats shaking the car from the night before.  In the morning there was still no one on my beach so I sat and had breakfast and read till some people showed up. I then moved on and headed towards Eden.

A little later in the day I felt a headache coming on so I found a nice park to camp at that was far from the road but just above Eden. It was a perfect place to just wait out the pain. Next morning I went to the Killer Whale Museum.

This is Old Tom

Back in the day whales were hunted for their blubber to turn into oil for everything from bicycle lubricant to light. While this sounds sad I find it incredible that the men that hunted the whales were even successful. They would go after these huge whales in the little wooden rowboats, then one of the rowers would try and harpoon the whale when they got close enough. It must have been terrifying. The unique part of Eden’s history is the killer whales. They worked with the whalers to help them catch other whales in exchange for the killer whales’ favorite parts to eat (lips and tung). The killer whales would coral a whale into Two Fold Bay then send one of their team to alert the whalers and then lead the whalers to where they had the corralled whale for them to kill. Old Tom was the leader for this team of killer whales and sometimes he would even pull on the harpoon ropes to help out the whalers.

After Eden I went and spent the weekend in Noojee (beautiful rainforest where they have so many off roading tracks!). I started on a trail and was taking it slow when as I was crossing a bridge a kangaroo jumped out behind the guardrail and I had no time to stop; the kangaroo got hit. I was in shock but the kangaroo just kept going. I figured it was a sign that maybe I shouldn’t go off much further and made camp next to the river just below Toorongo Falls. The area is so cool. It has trails marked all over the place and even has special parking for motorcycle trailers. It is an off roaders heaven.

I spent my last night just south of Alexandra along side a river and next to some cows. There were some friendly fellow travelers and we enjoyed the evening talking over coffee. It was a perfect end to my week.

"It feels good to be lost in the right direction" -somebody

I was lost a LOST this trip but I found such beautiful places and had the road almost always to myself. It was such a strange and new feeling but it was also very nice.

Noojee Historic trestle bridge

Australian Maritime Museum

This place was amazing and I was thoroughly impressed. The guides were kind and informative. The boats were awe inspiring and full of history. The exhibits were all great at giving you a feel of maritime history throughout the ages.

Bathroom Selfies are ok when they are on an old Destroyer.

on the submarine 

in the sub

also in the sub

The James Craig

The patrol boat Advance

"Hey ma, if you could se me now, arms spread wide on the starboard bow, gonna fly this boat to the moon somehow, Like Kevin Garnett anything is possible" -The Lonely Island

Sydney so Far

 

  The first two weeks here were very rainy and cold for a Southern California girl so I didn't go out too much.
      I did however learn how to take the train all over the city and spent the first couple days just getting lost.  On one day that was supposed to be sunny I decided to go and see 'Sculptures by the Sea' at Bondi beach which had been recommended by several people.  The walk was great and took one along the cliffs where the sculptures were. Unfortunately it was too crowded to get any good pictures.  right as I was reaching the end of my walk the sky decided to dump buckets on everyone.  It was kind of entertaining to see all these people on the beach, dressed for getting wet, running to take cover from the rain. I continued on my path as I was in a bikini anyways and it wasn't a cold rain. It was surprisingly a lot of fun. I was hoping the rain would end soon and I would get a great spot on a now vacant beach. But the rain didn't stop so I hopped on the bus and went home.
     This is the first week that has been sunny and it's going to be a hot one. I've spent the last couple days at the beach. Tomorrow I think I will go and take a tour of the Opera house.

 

"I read; I travel; I become" - Derek Walcott 

Ive spent a bunch of days reading on the beach. It is so peaceful and relaxing. It allows time for reflection and thoughts to settle.

Food!

     There are two groups of people in this world: those who eat to live and those who live to eat.
     Those who eat to live have no passion for food. The idea of eating pasta with meat sauce and veggies for three nights in a row has no effect on them. It is healthy and fills a void, what could be wrong with that. Rainy days you weather through eat the same as usual and maybe read a book. To them spicy is just spicy. There aren't variations of spicy and seasonings are extras you don't need it's fine if it comes mixed in a packet. To those who eat to live, having a chicken sandwich for lunch is perfectly fine and snacks are for getting fat. What is the purpose of snacks?
     To those who live to eat, snacks are a way of life. They are delicious morsels that hold one over until the next meal. A chicken sandwich every day is not fine, although it may be considered a challenge.  A challenge to figure out all of the different ways to make this sandwich and not get bored with the same taste. Seasoning are unique and each one has its own qualities to flavor a meal. Spicy has multiple levels and variations and having the exact same pasta dish multiple days in a row would be inconceivable. Rainy days are ideal for a cooking/baking day where one might heat up the house trying new things or making a favorite dish then sitting down with a book and slowly enjoy the fruits of one's labors. Those who live to eat have a great passion for food.
     The house I am helpx - ing  at is loving. It is located perfectly. It's near Sydney but not so close that one feels stuck in the city. The people are so kind and caring. The issue is they eat to live and I live to eat. Oh snacks how I miss you and I really, really, really want to bake cookies right now!

"Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious." - Ruth Reichl     This speaks to me. I love food and life. They are both so full of new possible experiences. Life and food bring people together.