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December 17th - December 21st
Day 31- Port Macquarie
We woke and headed off for our kayaking trip. We had rang and booked on the previous evening and been told to be at the city centre bridge for 11am. When we arrived we were introduced to our guides, Mark and Ruth. Both were as mad as a box of frogs. Mark was like Steve Irwin on acid and Ruth was just seriously happy to be along for the ride. When the other people arrived we jumped in a kayak and headed up the river into the mangroves. After going along a really small rapid that went underneath a tunnel we were surrounded by the mangrove swamps. The mangroves grow all the way out into the river and are teaming with life. After a short time the buildings all disappeared and so did the river bank, all we could see now were trees and river. As the mangroves encroach into the river it becomes quite tricky to get a kayak through and many times we were ducking and dodging branches. Melanie even decided at one point to limbo underneath a branch leaving Dec to steer and paddle through the tiny gap!! After a time we were led up a section of river that was blocked. We went up there so we could see all the lizards that chill out in the trees and potentially spot a koala. No koalas but the lizards we saw were called fire tongues or flame tongues we can't really remember as we weren't listening to that part because we were wedged into a tree. We didn't wedge ourselves into a tree if you were wondering, Declan is more than capable of controlling a kayak and Mel is a great little paddler. Oh no, our kayak was stuck in the side by a Kenyan couple who had never been kayaking before and who spent the entire trip bickering about who should steer. Down through another section of mangrove we stumbled upon hundreds of bats. All the bats were asleep as it was daytime. This didn't stop crazy Mark from banging the tree trunk with his paddle and sending the bats flying through the air. These bats, like the ones we mentioned before in Singapore, were huge. Like the size of a Christmas turkey!!! As the bats were flying to find a tree away from Marky Mark a keen eyed eagle sat watching the events, ready to pick off a young bat midflight. After paddling round for about an hour we headed back to the river mouth. As we floated back down the river we came across some aboriginal art work right in the middle of the swamps. By artwork we mean three Woolworths trolleys stacked up and rusting away.
Back out in Port we headed across the ocean for one of the few small islands that lie off the coast. The tide had picked up abit now and the paddling got a little bit tougher. No bother for us, Deccy's got a scout badge for most things, one is for kayaking!! Stroke, stroke, stroke!!!!! As we were heading for our little island we passed the rocky shoreline of the port. People had taken it upon themselves to paint a large amount of the rocks different colours and with different messages adding a little bit of colour to the shoreline. So we were paddling away and eventually made it to the beach or at the least the run up to the beach. Suddenly as if from nowhere, a massive wave lifted our kayak and was sending us hurtling towards the beach. We took on a slight angle as we approached and the kayak was turning sideways as the crest of the wave started to break......Stopping there for a second, if you didn't already know, approaching a shoreline sideways in any sea faring vessel is bad news......Without a moment's hesitation Declan jumped out of the kayak and started forcing it straight. Marky met us on the break and guided the craft into the shore. Mark Commended Declan's actions saying he saved the vessel, and the occupant, a savage bashing onto the shore. Mel steps out, camera safely in tow, dry as a bone. We walk up the dunes and Ruth starts passing out some fruit. On the far beach we noticed a solitary surfer. This surfer was stark bullock naked!!! Obviously going there to enjoy the privacy he hadn't thought a kayak group would turn up and be staring at him. When he finally realised he fell off his board and washed up on the shore. Grabbing the board he darted up the beach to gather his things as the crowd start making funny gestures!!! We were disrupted from our jeering by a familiar noise coming from the beach. A pod of wild dolphins were heading into the bay as the tide was now at its highest. Seizing the opportunity for a paddle with the dolphins we all jumped back in our kayaks and battled through the waves into the bay. After a few hours kayaking we were tired but we mustered up the energy to chase the dolphins back into the port. People along the shoreline had also noticed them and were moving in for a look. After near killing ourselves paddling against the ocean currents we caught up with the pod and watched as they went about their business. The dolphins were quite elusive but there was so many of them that it was impossible not to have one pop up next to the kayak. It was a really fitting ending to a good day on the waters around Port Macquarie.
After a spot of lunch we headed up to the Koala hospital on the hill. The story of the koala is a sad one. Having been around for 15 million years it only took the 'white' settlers a century to wipe out 12 species and destroy most of their habitat during the 19th century. During the 20th century the booming koala fur trade led to millions being killed each year. During the final killing season in 1927, over half a million were killed in a month. After this the public outcry made the fur trade and killing of koalas illegal. Like most endangered animals the species are being protected and looked after and only have to do one thing in return, breed. But no, the koalas aren't meeting people in the middle, their fussy b*****s and only 'go at it' every two years, so their numbers are on the decline. The hospital treats and reintegrates koalas rescued from the wild. The koalas are here for a wide range of injuries, but mainly dog attacks and motor incidents. Of the ones that aren't road kill or pet food the rest are in the hospital for the treatment of STDs. Yes, koalas are grubby little b*****s and carry Chlamydia. Males will mate with multiple females and the disease is running rife through the koala community. Anyway, so we go to the hospital and we see the injured koalas. The hospital is not state funded and the whole operation is run and maintained by an army of volunteers. We were guided around the site by an old lady who only works Mondays. She told us all the koalas' stories and explained why some koalas are permanent residents. 95% of all the koalas that go there are released but there were a few that were too injured to return. However the permanent residents are then used to breed offspring that are released when ready, so there not just sitting there doing nothing. Mel bought herself another fridge magnet to aid their cause, she was reminded that she doesn't have a fridge but it didn't stop her.
That evening we ate some lovely hotdogs and waited while time ticked away. Even though we are thousands of miles away Declan had managed to set up a meeting with back home. We were waiting for Brumtown to wake up and all Deccy's old class to make their way to school. Just before our bedtime Declan Skyped his old class and was quizzed on everything he had been up to. Most of the questions were asking about where 'hid girlfriend' was, and Declan even had to do a little dance. The class sang him Jingle bells and then it was time for bed. What a day!!!!
Day 32- Port Macquarie to Nelson Bay ( 250km)
We've spent a month in a van!!!! Go us!!! So today we start edging ever nearer to Sydney. Were only a few hours away when we turn off the highway and take the 45km road west back towards the sea and into an area called Port Stephens. Port Stephens is made up of about 5 small towns of which Nelson bay is the biggest. We ventured around the town and eventually stopped for lunch. Now wanting to treat ourselves, we decide to go to a restaurant for lunch. We order, and the portions that arrived are delightfully massive!!!! After lunch and feeling a little lethargic we find a place to camp and head towards the pool. We set our Sun loungers up even though the pool is heaving with kids, most of whom are now having their 6 week holidays. Even though we both have books to read and there is alot of noise coming from the pool, the big lunch finally got the better of us and we fell asleep. A few hours later we wake to find the whole pool empty and the sun nearly set!! Declan peels his face off the sun lounger and has a massive imprint of the chair on his face. We sleepily walk back to the van and proceed to lie down some more. We have since concluded that the excessive kayaking and the massive lunch are the reasons for our mid afternoon siesta. We skip dinner and set the van up for bed. Not being able to sleep we put on the 3 hour epic that is Australia (the film) and beam the night away to a bit of Hugh Jackman's amazingness!!! "Drove em home Drover"
33-Port Stephens (20km)
We basically spent the day driving around Port Stephens looking at the sites and finding somewhere to stay. We made it to the top of Nelson Bay hill and saw the amazing views of Port Stephens from two different lookouts. We then headed off for somewhere to stay and use the day to lie around. When we eventually did find a place in Anna Bay, we parked up and headed to the beach. After Sir Whingy had moaned for an hour about the sand being all over him we journeyed back to the pool to finish off some chapters of our books. Not wanting to be unprepared we spent most of the afternoon packing up our belongings, Mel's 'unnamed bag' seems smaller and lighter than it was around Asia. Declan's Highlander, is being as loyal and true as ever, eats up clothes and asks for more. We then decided that we would be even more efficient and tidy the van today so we wouldn't have to do much tomorrow.
Day 34- Port Stephens to The Entrance ( 140km)
· The actual distance is shorter but someone went the wrong way!
So we haven't really got anywhere left that we wanted to see. We spent some time looking at the map and noticed Cardiff, Swansea and Newcastle all on the way to Sydney. Now we wouldn't want to visit those places back home so there Aussie counterparts can't be much better. We left Port Stephens and decided that out of the three, Swansea would be the best choice. After Port Stephens we drove through Newcastle. We were told weeks ago Newcastle was an industry town and there was nothing there, they were right. As we drove in we saw huge, 15 storey coal machines ploughing the ground to hell. The conveyor belts that came from them ran straight into the waiting ships on the bay. Big signs all around the city proclaimed it as being the place that keeps Australia moving. They were right, it does power the whole country but at its own expense. It may have been the clouds covering the sky but the whole place felt dark and empty of life. We continued on. We got to Swansea and decided that it wasn't the nicest of places so continued on to a place on the signs known only as 'The Entrance'. As it sounds quite ominous we directed ourselves there. Now to get to The Entrance we had to drive around a huge Lake. By huge we mean 30km long. Being an intelligent country with a good road network there were two options when we came to the head of the lake. Right led straight on towards Sydney, left led to The Entrance. Now at the time Declan was busy working out where the van needed to be dropped off in the metropolis that is Sydney. The decision was left to Melanie, she inevitably choose the wrong lane.
This was corrected further on and we navigated to The Entrance. We found out it is basically the town closest to the entrance to where the lake is filled by the sea, hence its name. There wasn't alot on offer so we found a place to stay and had a good dinner while having a little drink to celebrate our last night in the van.
Day 35- The Entrance to Sydney (129km)
Christmas songs now blaring we power on towards Sydney, our home for the next 2 weeks. Now not wanting to carry our bags across town we journey first to our new digs for the next week in Bondi. We check in at Noah's and meet the people in our room that we'll be sharing Christmas with, there all lovely.
Back to the van. We had to get the van cleaned before we drop it off at the depot so we spent some time looking for a car wash. As it was cleaned the other night, the inside is looking immaculate, some would argue better than when we had it. And by the time were done the outside is just as good. We wave goodbye to Laika Virgin and head back to Bondi on the bus.
After dinner we share some drinks with our roomies and turn in for night.
So we made it. 3508KM down the east coast!!!!!The milometer says we travelled over 4000km, but that's because we detoured abit. Thanks for reading. Maybe two more blogs this year, one for Christmas on the beach and the other for New Year in the City.
Happy Christmas Everyone xxxx
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