Thursday, Dec 21, 2007

Tuesday evening, we drove through the night from Sydney to get to Melbourne in the morning. When we arrived we checked out the city a little and laid low. After spending the past day or so in Melbourne, Victoria we decided to get back on the road one last time.

Today, the three bromigos woke up early and embarked on another mini road trip. Our destination was the sight, Twelve Apostles. Although we had many sight seeing opportunities, which of course we took advantage of.

Our trail was the Great Ocean Highway, which is route B100--running east to west along windy roads that following the steep coastline of southern Victoria.

We drove through Torquay, and Jan Juc, where we stopped at the world famous surf spot, Bells Beach. Jef was disappointed that the swell was down for the season and the waves were not breaking at all. The sand was composed mostly of small rocks and ocean-tossed shells; it was very different sand compared to that of the west coast, but also different from the sand on beaches further west down the coast--still a unique sight, like everything here.

The Great Ocean road provided so many spectacular views, all very fleeting and hard to catch. It was a rainy drive, but the stormy light painted an iridescent landscape with colors not typical of coastal beauty. Nothing is more mysterious than seeing a dark cloud quickly escaping the coast by drifting entirely silent and swift over a steep hill of gum trees and rocks; mysteriously serene.


We eventually arrived at 12 Apostles. There were many people, and about 100 flies to accompany each. The Apostles are Limestone Outcrops which have been separated from the Australian coast by years of constant ocean erosion. Now, they appear as towering rock sculptures dotting the coast with their immense presence. Just two years ago, one of the Apostles crumbled under a weak foundation devestated by the ocean erosion. Therefore, the 12 are no longer--I think the current count is 9 or 7. There are certainly enough Apostles remaining to capture the enormity of this place... just check it out:


I jumped over the safety line, as usual, and climbed out on one of the rock out crops:


Little did I know that part of the rock on which I'm standing was supportd by a thin arch; and in an environment which is constantly eroding and falling apart, I realized this probably wasn't the best move to make, but I'm alive! and would probably do it again because the view and experience was quite unique.

After we enjoyed the sights at 12 Aposotles we ventured further down the road, driving further into the Port Campbell National Park. Our next stop was Loch Ard, where many famous shipwrecks occured in the late 1800s due to the reef and jagged coast line. Here there were many great sights like 'Cave Cove' (I think), where I ventured into a deep cave, kinda scary.

And other great sights like the Muttonbird Island, blowholes, and excellent coastal views. We visited a cemetary which dated back as far as 1879, which held memory for families or others who perished in this dangerous sea coast.


After soaking in the quiet views, and leaving when they were populated with loud tourists we headed back to Melbourne--stopping in Apollo Bay for some quality Fish and Chips from a great take away establishment.