Day 103 - January 3

Woke up and packed everything into the car. We checked out of the hostel and made it to the surfing school by 9:30am. We followed the instructors van about 5km east to a beach that had some waves. The usual beach they use, which is across the street from their store, didn't have any waves at all. Surfers can't just go to the beach and expect awesome waves, they have to search for it.

We were taught the basics of surfing. We would lie on our board and paddle with our hands in the same direction as the wave, then as the wave is underneath you, you would do a push up, then spring up on your two feet. It seemed easy enough.

Wet suits do wonders! I want to get my own. The ocean didn't feel cold at all. We gave a little photoshoot show to our group of about 15 people.

We used soft styrofoam surfboards as they were easier to get on and it wouldn't hurt us as much if we fell and it banged us. I thought it wouldn't be that hard to start out surfing but of the 35 times or so out there, I got about 2 good ones where I fully stood and rode the wave. It felt awesome!! I think I am addicted now.

Wait...where's the wave?

Incoming!

Surf's up dude

Not too bad for $55.

Instructors Matt and Quinn.

After our 2 hour lesson we went for brunch. Craig and I both ordered the open face breakfast sandwich. It had spinich, bacon, and a poached egg with hollandaise sauce. One of the best breakfast sandwiches I've had in awhile, or it just could've been that I was really hungry after surfing.

The Cape Otway Lighthouse was our next destination. This lighthouse wasn't as big as the one we saw 2 days ago, but this one we were allowed to climb to the top of it and look out to the ocean.

Oh my god! That ship has a lot of hot chicks on there.

Yo Captain?! Pick me up at the lighthouse, ASAP!!

If there was ever a disaster out at sea, you can call them or raise a flag. Also, vice versa if the ship needed to communicate with the lighthouse. The flag system is called the International Maritime Signal Flags which is part of the International Code of Signals. Each flag has a meaning. For example ,if they rose the flag H (hotel) it would mean 'I have a pilot on board' or flag E (Echo) 'I am altering my course to starboard'.

Fire in the hole!

Our next destination was to Otway Boardwalks and zipline, but by the time we got there at 4:00pm, they were closing down. booooourns!

Our next stop was the 12 apostles. We walked along the beaches to the first and second apostles. The beach had really good waves. Wish I had a board and wetsuit.

We drove to the 12 Apostles info centre where we could see the rest of the apostles.

My GQ-esk pose.

It's Wiki time. The rock formations were known as Sow and Piglets until in 1922 it was renamed to the 12 Apostles, even though there are only 9 stacks. 1 stack collapsed in 2005, so now only 8 remain.

We then headed toward Warrnambool where I called ahead to book for a dorm for the two of us at the Beach Backpackers for $27 a night. On the way there, Craig hit a tiny bird and killed it. He's now a bird murderer.

'Oh sh..' were the birds last words. I saw him mouth it. True story.

Why God?! Take me!! I'm feeble!!

Warrnambool turned out to be a bigger town than I thought. There were shopping malls and lots of restaurants. Seemed like an Airdrie to me. Apollo Bay was a really tiny town and I thought Warrnambool would be the same.

The hostel seemed pretty well kept. They had a huge social area that had a pool table, large LCD TV, Xbox and plenty of tables and couches. Very roomy and up-to-date. Not like Surf side backpackers. It had a really small kitchen and social area and seemed unclean, but it did have free internet, which is rare. We stayed in a 4 bedroom dorm.

A little shout out to the Fosters.

Day 102 - January 2

Woke up in the car to the sound of a tow truck about to tow a car behind us. Guess that was a sign that we should probably drive away. We headed toward the beach for a morning swim. Jumped in the ocean and it was freakin cold! I remember doing this for summer camps. It was called a polar bear dip.

We stopped by the Lorne visitor centre and asked for suggestions on what to see in the area and also directions to places that we already want to see. Visitor centres are gold for backpackers. Always look for them. Sometimes they'll have info on free events too.

Erskine Falls was our next destination. We got a little lost, but eventually found it. Parked in the parking lot and started our 80 metre hike to the falls. The falls weren't as big as I thought they would be. We decided to check out longer trail and hiked down 150 metres to the second platform. At this platform there was a really huge stone rock wall that we climbed up. It was a great view of the fern gully.

We went back to the Great Ocean Road in Lorne. We saw a big pier and stopped to check it out. Some locals were jumping off of it into the ocean. It was about 18 feet from the water.

I was pretty scared, but just went for it.

It was a lot of fun jumping in though. Refreshing for a hot day.

Not the best Ryu jumpkick...

Passed by an interesting river...

Our next stop was to look for Koalas in the wild. Craig has never seen Koalas. Back at the Lorne visitor centre, the lady told us to visit the Koala Cafe, by Kennett River, as there are Koalas in the surrounding trees.

We didn't see any by the cafe, so we drove up Grey River Road. We saw a couple of them high in the trees. It was when we turned around to get back on the Great Ocean Road that we got to see a wild Koala really close up.

I think we lucked out there. Kinda rare for a Koala to be so low to the ground. They are usually very high up in the trees.

We headed toward Apollo Bay and went straight to the visitors centre to get some hostel information.

He's suffocating a bug in his eyelid.

We were told to book at Surfside Backpackers. We got 2 beds for $28 each in a 6 person dorm room. Sweet! No cramped car sleeping for us tonight. 

Since I heard that Apollo Bay is a great place to learn surfing, we went to book surfing lessons for $55 that included a board, wetsuit rental and a 2 hour lesson for the next day. Pretty good deal I'd say.

I decided that we should head for another trail: Marriners Falls. We drove on a dangerous and windy road. The road was also narrow and the you couldn't see if there was on coming cars around the turns since we were kinda driving through a forest. We parked and hiked to the falls. It was an hour hike there and back. When we got there, we were very disappointed since the Fall was really small. I'd rename it crappy falls.

<> <><>

Marriners Falls.

Balancing rocks.

I cooked chicken pasta for the both of us while Craig made guacamole and chips. After dinner we played some pool, surfed the internet, then went to bed.

Day 101 - January 1

So I didn't get up in time. I woke up at 10:00am, the time I was supposd to pick up the car!! I rushed to get ready and actually made it to budget by 10:30am. Picked up a 2011 Red Toyota Camry. It looked pretty sleek. I drove home and tried to take a nap, but I was pretty much fully awake.

Sup ladies, check out my rental...

I packed all everything as I was not coming back to this house. I said my good byes to Aleis and Naomi. I also gave him my bike, but gave him a condition that he had to give it to another backpacker once he leaves Melbourne. It was a pay it forward type of thing. Nicholas and Zeena were at her grandmas until next week, so I already said my goodbyes to them.

Farewell house mates!

I picked up Craig from his house and we were on our way. He told me a crazy story that he drank a lot last night, then the next thing he remembers is waking up on a tram. He also lost his backpack that had his credit card and ipod. At least he didn't lose his phone this time like he did last week. This kid says he loses everything.

Our first step was in the town of Torquay, pretty much the start of the Great Ocean Road. We walked along the beach of Zeally Bay. Kinda windy. Had lunch at Subway then headed to the town of Anglesea and had some ice cream.

Sand Turtle!

On the beach with the Indian Ocean behind me.

Which way is forward?

Heh heh heh... it says bush.

After that we went to the Split Point Lighthouse and walked around the area.

Craig had this thing with tennis balls. He found one on the beach and now brings it with him wherever he goes. It reminded me of Warren off of 'Theres Something About Mary'. Along the pathway, he bounced it and it went between the fences and deep into the bush.

"Where's my baseball?"

"Have you seen my baseball?"

We climbed some rocks that were in the waters. The pictures remind me of a Lululemon ad or something.

We proceeded to Lorne to look for a hostel to stay at. No luck. We had to sleep in the car. We drove around for a bit to find a road that was not widely used since it was illegal to sleep in your car. We found a turnoff by an industrial building. I slept in the back while Craig slept in the front seat.