H&N through South WA

Resuming the tale of the portuguese guy and the finnish girl through WA...

In a chronological order, going down from Perth and back, we spent our nights in Bunbury, Margaret River, Big Brook (Pemberton) and Walpole. Couchsurfing was our friend for the first 2 locations and all our hosts were great in their own way.
As promised, we had a little dive (so-to-say) in Geoff's Spa. The night was cold but the 36 degrees warm water and a 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon recommended by G made it all sooo much better. It was the last night of our time at his place, a house where I immediately felt the "neat-freak" hand on. I loved it!

On our way further south, we h-hiked to Pemberton. We asked the retired couple that took us to leave us at the Gloucester tree or the Bi-centennial tree. As we found the bi-centennial one, we had a got at it. It's basically a tree with steel rods inserted in a spiral all the way up to the tree. There is NO security measure whatsoever, under the steel rods is the ground... I climbed up 1/3rd of the tree to the little platform and I immediately felt I should not go further up. Heidi, as Malcolm our "driver" said, has got some monkey in her and she climbed all the way up to the 75mts high platform. For the moment we were on it, the tree was all german. The rest of the climbers were either swiss or german...
Malcolm and his wife were patiently waiting next to our backpacks, they did not want to leave us alone and our luggage unattended which was very sweet of them. So after this little walk in the heights, they drove us further to our intended destination.
Pemberton is a little town where nothing happens but is surrounded by walk tracks, camping places, woods etc... We took the afternoon to walk part of the Bibbulmun track - it's an almost 1000km long track that crosses from Perth to South WA - until we reached the Big Brook Dam and its closeby camping site.
This would be the first and only time we'd use the tent we had with us:) We got settled pretty easily and spent the rest of the day speaking in german to a nearby couple. They're currently travelling through Aus in a motorhome with their three sweet little daughters.
No matter how sleepy I was, not having a foam mattress or alike to sleep on, made me wake up to turn around x amount of times on the unflattened ground:( But it was all good, the sore back was just a reminder of what camping can be/is about. Relatively early in the morning we had a ride from some other campers back to Pemberton where we hh'ed further from to a better located road crossing.

There, the best ride ever shows up! Two guys in a red car stopped 50mts down the road to give us a lift. They were on their way to Walpole which is the closest place to the famous Tree Top Walk. Coincidence enough, they were also to check out that same attraction:) Before going there, we stopped at a cabin next to a lake where these guys (Damien and Ryan) would stay.
So, not only was Damien a CSer, but they invited us to stay at the cabin. In a matter of minutes, we got:

• a ride and company to the Tree Top Walk;
• a place to stay for the night;
• a ride back to Perth, as Damon was driving back um the following night.

After a walk with the boys on the 38mts high metal structure (TTW) we had a blast at their party the same evening and some wind-in-the-face fun boat ride to fish on the lake the following morning. Damo hadn't been hosting for so long, this was in some way a contribution to the CS community and the whole traveller's experience.

For H and I, that week ride down south WA was the chance to enjoy the hospitality and kindness of so many people. Again, people make any place worthwhile. I would recommend hitch-hiking the same way we did. The two difficulties involved are the risks taken and the important amount of time needed.

Heidi is really really a great person and traveler. It was all so easy with her. In the end, it was a great expereince with the things we both brought to the journey.

That whole week was relatively unplanned, we had some markers on our map but no dates, the journey unfolded on the go and I reckon it ended up pretty good:D

That was it, more to write about next time...

N.-

splash splash in the indian ocean

Perth is behind us. Heydi (Hey-Dee and not Hi-Dee) and I met up and decided to travel together for a while. We're flying to Melbourne on the 3rd and we'll see how long until we split, she's staying longer in Oz than I am and has thus another agenda. We took off from Peth on monday, Christmas eve, to hitch-hike our way down south of Western Australia.

Our first stop was Bunbury. Nothing's really worth mentioning about this place except for Jen, the CSer that took us in for 3 days. Yes, we spent christmas with her and her family by the pool. We really did not have a choice, people here either have a pool, a spa (jacuzzi) or both.

In the beginning, telling people we'd be hitch-hiking put an expression of surprise and fear on their face, we were then warned that WA is not the best place. As always, that is quite a subjective piece of information and we ended up having no trouble at all. The first guy (big jeep), who showed up after we barely waited for 10mins, told us we were not on the best road for h-hiking. He dropped us further down the highway and it took us 5 mins to get those 2 cool guys (and a big jeep) who took us right to where we needed. Again, we can't really complain. Fact is, H a girl, which accelerates the process of finding a ride. Me and my 5-day beard, must be able to give assholes a second thought about giving us a ride. A match made in heaven:)

In one of these cars, Heydi and I were deciding about what to do next, Jen was cleaning the garden and we heard the beaches here were fab. We chose to be good people and show up sooner to help her with the cleaning. I think we deserved our little place for those 3 days, the place just outside their house where we were having the BBQ looked fab after our work.

So, after the h-hiking, the BBQ at christmas and nights by the pool, we're in Margaret River, which is a world renowned place for its wine. We're going on a winery tour tomorrow. After some tips, we know which companies to avoid. It looks like 80 aussie dollars will get us a tour through 3-4 wineries and a brewery with lunch included. I can't wait:)

The CSer we're staying at right now is 5* (he has a big jeep). He took us to the beach where he met up with some of his folks (and their kids) and we had a great time, all were really cool and relaxed. I got a special treat during our time there. While snorkling, I spotted a stingray! Just 2 meters away, I saw what I thought was "just" a big fish, it was in fact one of these beautiful flying creatures (one of the kind that killed Crocodile Hunter this year).

I might get my tan before flying over to the east coast after all. Not only did we have a sunny christmas, it was a BOILING one, something not seen in a looong time. I was twice at the beach today. On the first time, I could feel the roast effect of the 1PM sun, 40degrees, ouch!


Being the good boy that I (can be) am, I already contributed with some computer troubleshooting at our CSer's place. So tomorrow, after a day spent at the wineries, I'll enjoy a time in the spa... yes, he's got one!

One of the oddities I will bring back home (as dumb as it sounds) is a Stubby Holder. It's a neoprene cup for botttles and cans. Come on, how can they not have this in Portugal? It looks really... stupid... but it DOES keep the beer fresh longer:) and even avoids the can/bottle from sliding down your hand.

Our time here is getting short, H has got a bad cough and fever (she's recovering in the guest room while I compose this post) and we still want to hit down south to Walpole, Denmark and Pemberton for the karri tree forests (Valley of giants) and its Tree Top Walk. After all that, we're going back to Perth and get ready for a new year party.

cheers

n.-

P.S.: No pics, I am sorry... later on, ok?