This morning we woke up freezing and numb fingered...the night before, although we were all bundled up, was a very cold and sleepless night. We woke up very early and packed everything up...including our soaking wet tent!! Actually we didnt really pack the tent...just threw it in the back...hahaha. We got in the car and went into town in hopes of finding a place that was serving hot tea and cocoa...just when we thought all hope was lost we found a little cafe right on the edge of town. We each got a hot cocoa, a little snack...warmed up, and then we hit the road again. We backtracked to the Twelve Apostles and were the first ones there. We made the trek down the the picture platforms and got some great shots...but then my battery ran out so we went back to the car. By the time we got back to the platform a few more people had come so we got some great shots of us together in front of the Apostles. Unfortunately Haley and I are both behind in the times so we didnt get many digital pictures on this trip...we both have old ass cameras. However, I did figure out how to use my digital video camera as a digi cam. So I have a few pictures, but not with the both of us in them. We had an amazing time at the Apostles, but we had to move on...we had a long day ahead of us.
We made it on the next stop...the Loch Ard Gorge. There we saw amazing shore lines, caves, beautiful waters, amazing beaches, and heard the tale of the shipwreck...Loch Ard Gorge. About 120 years ago the ship crashed into the massive cliffs of the gorge. Of the 55 members on the ship, only 2 were able to survive the tretcherous waves and get to shore. A man named Tom dragged a woman named Eva to shore, and hid her in a nearby cave while he went to find help. Unfortunately the entire shoreline was lined with cliffs...but Tom managed to climb out and find help. He found help and brought it back to Eva, saving both of their lives. The ship still remains at the bottom of the sea, a reminder of how dangerous the sea can really be.
From the gorge we went on the see the Blowhole, the sounds that came from it were amazing as the waves crashed through. As we walked on, we came up to Thunder Cave, another cave along the rough cliff shores that made a very loud thunder as the waves rolled through...giving it its name...Thunder Caves.
Next we came to London Bridge, a rock formation in the water that resembles London Bridge...giving it its name. Also at this stop we walked down to the Grotto, which was another really cool rock formation on the water....this was our last stop on the Great Ocean Road...now we headed towards the Grampians National Park.
Along the way we passed through many small towns...one by the name of Allansford had a CHEESE factory!! Of course Haley and I could not refuse...we pulled over and did a little tasting...of about 20 kinds of cheese...YUMMY. Before we knew it we were in the Grampians, bush land all around us, and signs everywhere saying beware of kangaroos, koalas, and Emus!! We were totally psyched, we were going about 30 mph on a straight empty road for about 2 hours in hopes of seeing these animals. Of course the second we put our gaurd down they were everywhere!! We came to a field and they were all over, we ran out of the car and into the field to take pics. That made my entire trip to Aussie worth it!! They were SOOO damn cool. After that sighting it started to get a little dark, so we decided to go and find our camp site for the night. Along the way we came across a huge forest fire, we freaked out, but apparently its burning off season so there is nothing to worry about...but it was really scary and creepy. We finally found our camp site...and stumbled through the woods to find some fire wood...which didnt work out too well...all we could find was twigs...which started the fire, but didnt get us very far.
We decided to sleep in the car tonight...because it was so cold the night before, and we didnt feel like sleeping in our CRAPPY tent again. Unfortunately without the fire our campsite was pitch black, so there wasnt much we could do there...we ended up playing cards and other paper games as long as we could...we went to bed at 9pm....what a day!! But that wasnt the end of it...we woke up at 1am...tired and sore from sleeping in out TINY car, and were both feeling like it had been the whole night...unfortunately it had just begun!!
Quote of the night:
"This is like HELL in a small box!!"
~Marisa, 3am
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