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Published: December 10th 2008
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1st December 2008 - ONWARDS TO WARRNAMBOOL
Once we arrived at Warrnambool we scoped out the campsites. We wanted to find the cheapest one so we drove to all three to check them all out. Turns out there was only $2 difference from the cheapest to the most expensive so we probably spent more on fuel driving to each one!! Once settled it was fairly late afternoon (around 4ish). We decided to get the most out of the campsite and use the pool to get some much needed exercise. After some good swimming we then had a whirl in the spa for 15 minutes. Very nice but at the same time the amount of chlorine in there was re-god-damn-diculous!!! Made our eyes sting and almost stripped our skin raw it was that strong!!! May as well taken a bath in bleach!! Maybe we'll give the pool a miss next time!!
After the longest shower ever trying to get rid of the chlorine smell we headed to the Maritime Centre to try to see the lazer show. Turns out we had missed it for that night so we bought tickets for the next night and headed back to the campsite for
a hot chocolate and some television!!
2nd December 2008 - KOALA SPOTTING & LAZER SHOW
It was pouring down with rain when we woke this morning but luckily by the time we had showered and had breakfast it had cleared a little (though still cloudy and cold.) Either way we were not going to let the weather get in the way of our quest so we headed to Tower Hill Nature Reserve where we would hopefully spot some wild Koalas in the trees.
The reserve is nestled inside a dormant volcano and was apparently a haven for wildlife!! Fingers crossed we would see some. We asked at the shop which walk would be best and they advised that as we were young and fit we should try the long walk of moderate dificulty. By long they meant one hour!!! The walking thing is crazy over here....a 10 minute walk is classed as long and anything over 5 minutes people seem to drive. I call that lazy!!!
We set off on the 'Walk to the Last Volcano'. It took us around a natural crater and through the woodland. We did see some wildlife along the way in the
form of rabbits and an emu but no Koalas!! The walk took around 40 minutes and apart from a couple of hills was pretty leisurely.
When we got back to the gift shop a different guy was working. He told us to go to the picnic are and find a tree that had almost been stripped bare as there would definitely be a koala in it. Wooo!!! We headed that way but there were tons of bare trees.........this was going to be harder than we thought. We spilt off and went different ways around the area.
As I went along my path I spotted a male Koala climbing down a tree and crossing the path in front of me. I shouted for Natalie in a hushed voice (if that makes sense) and ran towards the koala on my tip toes so as not to scare him off. Turns out he wasn't camera shy anyway and as he saw me coming he stopped and sat on the path posing whilst I took his photo. So so cute and I was within touching distance. I wanted to stroke him but I could see his claws which were a little too
He sat and posed for a while.......
Look at the claws......he could literally have ripped my face off I was that close!!! He didn't though.....maybe I am a friend of the bears?!!! sharp for my liking!! He was a wild bear after all....not your average paddington!!!!
After a few minutes sitting he got up and ambled to a nearby tree and then climbed up. They look so funny when they walk.....can't capture it on camera. In the next tree along was a baby and its mother. Others saw us stood looking up and came over to have a gander too. So cool....our quest for Koalas was complete!!!
Our next stop was Thunder Point and Shelley Beach. I only wanted to photograph the sign of Shelley beach but as luck would have it there was no sign when I needed one!! Sorry Shel....I tried!! It was then time for lunch in the van, internet, and into a cafe for a cup of tea to warm us through!!! Just like England!!!
We then chilled in the van for a bit and wrote a few christmas cards before heading out around 9pm to the Maritime Village to get 'Shipwrecked'.
The show was ok....more of a kids show than I imagined but told the story of how a ship called 'Loch Ard' was shipwrecked in 1878 as it travelled from Gravesend, England to
Melbourne, Australia. The ship had been on the water for weeks and had passed trough extreme weather conditions, lack of food and storms. When it was only one days sailing from land it hit a rock and went down near a place they now call 'Loch Ard Gorge'. Only 2 people survived - Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael (An Irish Girl) and a giant china peacock (worth 2 billion dollars today). The rest of Evas family apart from one brother who was still back in Ireland died!! Some would call that bad luck!!! The story was told by the 2 survivors and Captain Gibbs through the use of a video, a walk through a purpose built village by lantern light and a lazer show projected in front of us on the harbour wall!! Really good effects with the lazers, water and the seats moved as if you were really on the boat. The acting was poor through from the Captain and Eva!! They must have blown the budget on Tom who was played by an old Neighbours Character (Paul...used to live with Harold). Thats my educational speel over for a while!!!
After the show it was pretty late and
pretty cold. We found a spot to park in and settled for the night only to be woken in the early hours by someone banging on the side of the van. Two bangs but no laughing and we could hear no footsteps. We both woke with a start but daren't look out. We were both scared and it took us ages to get back to sleep again!!!
3rd December 2008 - GOODBYE WARRNAMBOOL
We woke later than usual this morning afte our disturbed nights sleep. I wish vans were fitted with periscopes so you could see outside without outsiders being able to look in!!! Think there may be a niche in the market there and I may invent a van compatible periscope when i'm home!!!
I felt rubbish this morning....head pounding, nose rivalling Niagra Falls and itchy eyes!! Think its a cross between a head cold and hayfever!! Luckily I'm not a bad patient and didn't want to waste a day so we pushed on as usual. Don't think the lack of warm showers, warm weather and warm food is helping though!!! After our morning routine we had a quick look around the town before heading off on
the road again!
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