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Another early morning, and another serve of claggy peanut butter on toast, then on the bus to pick up our sick ride for our road trip of the Coast..
We arrived on the street of our destination, but about 2 miles too early..
This saw the three of us pulling all our belongings along the highway, getting very strange looks as we were heading in the opposite direction of the Airport.
We gave in and found a Taxi big enough to fit us and our gear, a 2 minute long journey cost us $10, and we all witnessed it go straight into his pocket…
But we made it!
Sean from Escape Campervans welcomed us, and there she, maybe he was!!
Area 51 baby!!
A GMC Van painted purples, blues and greens: an alien on one side and a UFO on the other…. It was decked out with a double bed, doonas, chairs, cooktop, sink, crockery, and most importantly a stereo…
We paid our money, signed on the dotted line, proved we can legally drive and then we hit the road, Jack.
I was first in the drivers seat, and on the highway we went. I think we went in the wrong direction about 5 times before we all agreed that this road must be right…
Through Maluibu we drove, 101, Coast 1 North, unknown roads, we arrived at Santa Barbara at about 3pm. The birth place of my darling sister, and where Mum and Dad lived, I would have loved to look around a little more, but time did not allow. We made some rolls down the park, fed the super sized seagulls, protected the injured bird from the bullies, visited the Information Centre, then set our sights on Pismo Beach for the overnight stay..
More driving around in circles, looking for a 'caravan park' that was affordable, had toilets and showers and didn't discriminate because we weren't a massive RV..
The search was over, we found a suitable spot, then back into town for some food, then set up camp in our rather small area for 3 girls..
Suitcases to the front, bed pulled out, doonas shook, and nighty night!!
Despite the fact three bodies were squeezed into a double bed, the body warmth did not radiate, leaving us all a little chilly. Nothing like a Caravan Park shower to start the day, followed by cereal at the beach, then to the Coast 1 Highway with the plans set on a night of fine dining at Half Moon Bay.
Cruising along, we reached San Miguel, realising that we were on the inland 101 rather than the desired 1 along the Coast.
Our map clearly marked the G18; this would cut through the mountains and we would be back on the Coast. Oh yeah!!
G18 = Military Army Base, Prone to rockslides, rocks the size of tyres, super narrow roads, downward cliff on one side, upward on the other, long drops, sensational 2 hour driving by Sabrina, and there she was, the 1!!!
A photoshoot at the beach, 2 miles onwards, and just as Alicia said the words 'Now all we need is the road to be closed'. BANG! BOOM! There she glistened.. The infamous Road Closed sign.. 2 hours to get back onto the Coast 1, now this! Are you serious? Being the vehicle enthusiasts we are, we ventured as close as we could, had chats with the Sheriff; only for him to confirm that a rock slide had taken place, and it would take at least two days to clear it…
F A R K!!!
With low fuel, the choice was to trek over the rugged terrain, through cliffs, rock slides and Army Bases or follow the coast back to a town with petrol, then back through San Mother Flipping Miguel to 101, the boring Inland route to San Fran!!
The latter option, although not as exciting, was practical, and onward we went. Well Backward onward!!
Another bloody chain restaurant in Santa Cruz for Soup and Sandwiches for dinner, arriving at Half Moon Bay at 9pm… The one RV Park open was a rip off, the others all closed at this time, so the choice was McDonalds Car Park or a road near the beach where No Parking or Tow Away Zone signs were evident…
Several laps, we found our spot, in the pitch black and rain, it was perfect. To the curb, re arrange the car, and a slanted sleep on the curb side led us to Sunday…
In the day, the beach was a winter wonderland. Big swell, grey skies, a quick teeth brush into the drain, Starbucks stop, with San Francisco only 26 miles away..
There it is! The Golden Gate Bridge!
Sabrina delivered the goods, and there we were, crossing the insanely humongous bridge, traffic everywhere. A quick walk and a much needed jump shot, back across the bridge we drove..
Adelaide Hostel was our camp for the night. Washing, showering, and a sleep in a bigger bed was more than overdue. The crazy hills of San Fran and one way streets, we found our hostel, parking in a Tow Away Zone…
Sabrina and Alicia took the luggage, I stayed with the Van to avoid getting towed. Along comes Mr Delivery Man, one look was enough to know that I should not be there, this was his spot!!!
I snuck out of the park, beeping, hooting, and as I turned the corner the sliding door opened, causing quite a scene for passer-by's and the alien van travels down the road..
Up and down, up and down, to return our much loved Van, none of us were too keen on driving in San Fran..
Thai for dinner, cocktails for dessert, a hangover for the morning, and today we all flew in different directions.
Myself to Peru, Sabrina to Canada, and Lici back to the land of Vegemite and Milo…
9 hour flight, 9 hour layover in Lima Airport, a new Peruvian friend called Victor and here I am.
Hungry, tired, smelly, realising how little Spanish I know, sitting next to a canoodling couple, a crotch rip in yet another pair of jeans getting bigger with each breath, hoping that Arequipa will be what I imagine…..
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