All too often it seems to happen that a much anticipated excursion does not live up to one's expectations. Happily we did not experience this particular form of disappointment last Saturday. The trip that my cousin and I took on the Great Ocean Road surpassed our highest hopes for the day. We stopped briefly in a couple of the touristy towns along the way, but for the most part avoided the bus crowds and found spots where we could savor the magnificence of the ocean, shore, and skies in relative peace and solitude.
We have been privileged to enjoy many beautiful places in recent months, but I must say that Saturday's views exceeded what I have seen thus far. Nearly every turn brought yet another postcard perfect view. It was a beauty that made our souls ache.
We commented more than once over the one dimensional aspect of photographs, and the futility of trying to capture our experiences with mere images. This did not stop us from trying, of course, and we managed to max out two camera cards and empty one battery. The pictures capture some of what we saw, but I do wish that I could include for you the sounds of crashing waves, shrieking gulls overhead, and song birds in the bushes, along with the feel of smooth sand and sharp rocks underfoot, not omitting of course the ocean breezes which served to make the sunshine all the more lovely. Also necessary would be the pungent smell of saltwater and marine life, and then, perhaps, the effect would be just a bit closer to the real thing. In the absence of any ability to accomplish this, I offer you mere photos.
Our first stop was the Soapy Rock lookout in Anglesea. Looking to the left (above), we discovered a rowing regatta of some sort in full swing, and to the right, a nearly deserted beach:
Second stop, the Split Point Lighthouse. We stopped only long enough to imagine camping on the beach (Suzanne declared it was not for her, I was undecided), and to admire a couple of birds.
The Singing Honeyeater beautifully lived up to its name, and when the mother flew off, I could hear the babies in the bush below. Just beyond were a pair of Great Cormorants.
A short distance beyond Split Point Lighthouse we found rolling waves and surfers at Fairhaven Beach. Since we had opted not to admire the surfers at Torquay, we pulled over, and after watching several of them don their gear and stretch beside the road in preparation, we strolled down to the beach to watch for twenty minutes or so.
Beyond Fairhaven we reached the trendy town of Lorne which on this last weekend of the summer holidays appeared to be packed to the gills with tourists. Cappuccinos at a local bakery went down gratefully indeed, and we also picked up a couple of sandwiches for lunch later in the day. On the advice of neighbors, we took the turn off for Erskine Falls where we witnessed a brief wedding ceremony at the bottom of the 200 or so steps required to see the falls from the lower lookout.
The next few photos are of the peaceful spot we chose to eat our lunch. We could see a couple of fishermen in the far distance, but otherwise we had this stretch of rocky shoreline to ourselves. We took full advantage by eating very slowly (no interruptions!), and then soaking in the sun, sea, and sounds for an hour or so.
A Great Cormorant joined us for lunch, and I spent quite some time watching him dry his wings. I eventually crept closer and closer, which didn't seem to bother him until I was nearly within arm's reach.
Beyond Suzanne in the picture below, you can just make out the winding road along the coast. From here it began to climb upwards, which can be disconcerting if you have not yet adjusted to driving on the left, especially when traveling as the passenger and therefore sitting close to the edge of the cliffs. While she claimed to thoroughly enjoy the views, I think my driving must have scared Suzanne because she opted to take the straight, inland road back home rather than face the steep drop-offs again on the way back.
We eventually dragged ourselves away from this lovely spot and continued our journey toward Appollo Bay.
For our last stop, we pulled over in the shade just before the actual town of Appollo Bay, marveling again at the empty beach, and finding entertainment in watching the rescue boat travel from stranded craft to stranded craft. Two sorted themselves out eventually by paddling in to shore.
It was with regret that we turned away from the Great Ocean Road, especially when the gps informed us that we had a three and one half hour drive ahead of us. Fortunately this was shortened to fewer than three hours, and the first hour or so continued to provide beautiful scenery. Ross greeted us with toasted tuna sandwiches (Heinz sells canned tuna in Australia) for a late supper, and we agreed it had been a truly marvelous day.
Christie, I love your account of our wonderful day! You are correct in your lamenting not being able to include the sounds and feel of the day. I believe that coast to be the most beautiful place on the earth (from my limited experience!)
I appoligize at not getting the picture of the guys changing into their wetsuits to you before your post - my computer is currently loading #1030 of 1469 pictures. I had to clear some space on my computer today to make room for all the pictures I took!
The photo of the Great Cormorant is fantastic! The pictures don't show unfortunatly how huge it was!
Thanks again for a fantastic day!
Posted by: Suzanne Pannelle | 02/01/2011 at 07:03 PM
I often feel that same way about photos...they just don't go far enough to allow the reader to experience what we see and feel. For instance, the pictures I share of baby S. really don't do her justice. ;) So I understand what you mean, and also understand the wonderful soul-ache of the beauty of creation and how it makes a person feel so small and God seem so utterly and awesomely HUGE (a very good feeling, indeed!). And yes, how loved we are, truly, by our Father.
The pictures ARE lovely, the sky so very blue and the water sparkly and alive.
How nice of Ross to make you dinner at the end of a happy day!
Posted by: Shanda | 02/02/2011 at 09:41 AM