Woke up without alarm, cos the sun was already up and shining at 630am! Anyway, I lazed in bed till 7-ish.
Washed up and ready to go at 8plus. Had a warm coffee at the cafe (it was a cold night yesterday, I was wearing a thermal, 2 t-shirts and a jacket, with the heater on!)
Was planning to do a half day walk in the Cradle Valley Boardwalk followed by some short walks. Then I got distracted/attracted to the walk to Crater Lake!
I took the shuttle bus to Ronny Creek bus stop. Did a short walk to Welhiem forest which took me about an hour. Then I continued to the half-day walk to Crater Lake. It was estimated to be completed in 2.5hr. The walk was moderately tough with a mix of board walk, pebbles and stones, steps and rocks. But adrenaline pumping! Along the way, there is a waterfall and changing landscape of the trees and plants. Also saw a group of Japanese elderly people! Wow! They were with their backpacks and everything, and doing it like an easy feat! Whistle!
Along the way, I was cursing and swearing like... See what stupid lake la...got to walk so long...
But when I finally got there, wow! It's really worth all my legwork!
And when I came down, I saw an echidna!
Though I'm on my own, and there's really nothing like a KPI to accomplish, I was really hoping to see everything!
So I walked through the boardwalk from Ronny Creek to Ranger Station which took me 2hrs. I reached a delirious stage where I just have to tell my legs to persevere! Cos I didnt really see many of human beings. I was like in a grassland with trees and more trees, bushes and more bushes! And I had no idea how long more to go. It's really a mental game!
After the boardwalk, the legs were having their own lives already. But I was really abusing them to max! Went along two short walks - the pencil pine rainforest and the enchanted forest. Took me about an hour.
Yes, more to go!
There is this short walk to Lake Lilla (I just got something about the lakes!)
And my poor legs got to heave my heavy body through a rough short walk to Lake Lilla! It was a small lake but nonetheless, it was beautiful!
That took slightly less than an hour.
Finally, dragging my legs back to hotel at 545pm. On the way back, I bought a microwaveable soup from the store (the place I stay in is like a chalet! There's shared kitchen with all the wares, fridge, microwaves, stoves, pots and pans! And everyone just gathers in the kitchen to make food. There are people who stay in caravans and parked here for overnight stays.)
I was so glad to have soup for dinner, and of cos with my loaf of bread. Think I was too excited or my brain had filled with grasses, I forgot the container could be hot! I scalded my hands while spilled some soup on the floor! Arggg! Clumsy me!
Cleaned up the floor, put some Vaseline (luckily I brought Vaseline, though I should have brought the aloe Vera gel) and ate my humble dinner.
Through this trip, I realized a few things to bring for future trip regardless of weather or purpose - thermal top, tights, socks, Vaseline. Maybe more to add on when I remember. ;)